Father John Misty revels at First Avenue

Father John Misty at First Avenue

“I release hit after hit after chorusless hit,” Father John Misty snidely exclaimed late in the set of his sold out show at First Avenue — a joke about being controlled by corporate record labels. When he wasn’t mocking himself, the crowd, America, and the concept of concert encore breaks, Father John Misty (J. Tillman) strolled front and center with more swagger and gusto than ten front men combined.

The show started with a dimly backlit stage, and Tillman finally joining the rest of the band for the title track of his sophomore album I Love You Honeybear. Within minutes he was on his knees reaching into the crowd then back up, perched atop the bass drum with his mic stand held high in the air. Even if the band had moved out from the shadows during the night, all eyes were on Tillman and his hip-thrusting mesmerizing presence.

From the beginning, the band sounded fantastic, with songs from the new album springing to life with raw energy. “The Ideal Husband” from I Love You Honeybear culminated the ebb and flow, and was the hardest rocking song of the night with Tillman crawling at the edge of the stage screaming out the lyrics before flopping onto his back then hammering his mic stand down to end it.

After returning from a quick encore break, Father John Misty played “Bored in the USA”, the first single from I Love You Honeybear. It was excellent, as was the Leonard Cohen song “I’m Your Man” that followed and felt like it was written with Tillman in mind. The show ended with “Everyman Needs a Companion” from his exceptional debut album Fear Fun. Although that song didn’t pack a huge punch, it beautifully wrapped up Father John Misty’s music, which seems to be as much about intimacy and letting go, as it is about opening your eyes to what’s happening around you. Father John Misty at First Avenue was a truly exceptional performance, and easily the best show I’ve seen him play in the last three years.

Opening the night was the trio of truck-driver-looking, jean-jacket vested hooligan garage rockers, King Tuff. The smoke machine was on high, and they rocked a thoroughly entertaining set that the crowd ate up with joy. They made a lot of new fans this night and I hope to see them again soon.

Father John Misty

King Tuff

Father John Misty at First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN – 04.04.15 Setlist
I Love You Honeybear
Strange Encounter
True Affection
Only Son of the Ladiesman
When You’re Smiling And Astride Me
The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apartment
I’m Writing a Novel
Misty’s Nightmares 1 & 2
Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)
Nancy From Now On
Nothing Good Ever Happens At The Goddamn Thirsty Crow
This is Sally Hatchet
The Ideal Husband
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings
Funtimes in Babylon
Now I’m Learning to Love the War
Holy Shit
Encore:
Bored In The USA
I’m Your Man (Leonard Cohen cover)
Everyman Needs a Companion