To be honest I had no idea who Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman, formerly of the Fleet Foxes) was until just a few weeks ago. A fellow concert photographer had posted an amazing photo of him in a Facebook group and said it was a fun shoot. So, I buy the CD (yes, sometimes I still buy CDs) brought it home and ended up leaving it on the kitchen countertop in my house. I have a four-month old baby and the record is called I Love You Honeybear. My wife comes home to find the CD and based on the title thinks it’s a children’s record, that is until she gets to track 6 which is called “Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Goddamn Thirsty Crow.”
To make a long story short, she asks me about it and I tell her that I just got it and haven’t listened to it yet, but I think it’s some sort of hipster rock or something. He’s coming to play two sold out shows at the Fillmore in April, I tell her, and I want to check it out thinking that I am pretty tuned into the music scene and somehow missed this one. Even with a 7am flight to the Monsters of Rock Cruise in Miami happening the next day, I’m committed to seeing what all the buzz is about.
Simply put, it was remarkable. What I witnessed last week at the legendary Fillmore was easily the best show I have seen in 2015, and quite possibly one of the best shows ever. Artistry beyond artistry if you will, 50 shades of musical genius. Father John completely blew me away. He opened up with a swooning version of the title track “I Love You Honeybear” and then the songs and performance just kept getting better and better. I’m not sure Father John is capable of writing a bad song, but if he ever did hit a sour note, his stage presence made up for it. “I’m working hard up here folks,” he says to the crowd. Not in an egotistical way, but more of an “I fucking love to entertain this room” type of scenario.
So, why did I love this show so much? It’s really tough to nail down to be honest. Father John Misty is sort of like Prince crossed with Glenn Campbell with a bit of Rufus Wainright. The entire show has a Vegas sense of flair tied in with some of the most exceptional ’60s and ’70s styled songwriting I’ve ever heard.
Without getting into a drawn out, lengthy break down of every aspect of the show which other reviewers do and usually bores me to tears, I’m going to keep this one simple. A remarkable show led by a remarkable talent in the form of Father John and backed by a more than capable band. Go see this one folks and be prepared for a life changing musical event.
Bottom line: sometimes the hipsters do get right—in this case they hit a home run. The show is absolutely brilliant and even though the record doesn’t capture the exact atmosphere around the live show, it’s a stunning piece of work on its own.
