Father John Misty has played Austin quite a bit since Josh Tillman formed the recording alias and began working on songs. After a show last SXSW, he was back shortly after at the end of the summer, and now Austin lucked into having two sets bestowed upon them this weekend. While some undoubtedly enjoyed his set at ACL Fest this past weekend, I’m thrilled that I caught his more intimate, sold-out show at the Parish.
In fact, I was a little bummed about missing so many great performers, but since ACL has gotten so… mammoth? Grotestquely overgrown? Pop Press International opted not even to attempt to brave the parapet walls that prevent independent journalists from accessing it, and sponsored an alternative show on the east side.
Whatever lament I buried inside dissipated the moment I knew I would have the opportunity to see Father John Misty at the Parish. Although I’d already seen him, the fact that his record Fear Fun easily makes my top five list for the year so far means I always want to see his show. Add to that, the fact that Tillman was even more comically and energetically charged than the last time, and I’d argue that those in attendance were privileged by a much more amazing performance than any at the festival.
Onstage, Tillman’s antics are perpetually captivating—he dances, shimmies, and strikes poses in accordance with sharp chords or piercing snare hits. Between songs, he pointedly, sardonically taunts the crowd and takes jabs at corporate consumerism and the general state of affairs in the country. His stances are of course reflected in the wry lyrics of any number of songs on Fear Fun. As the night wore on, Tillman seemed almost combative as he ripped through almost every track on the record, eventually lighting a series of cigarettes and asking for the lights to be brought down. As his songs do, the vibe recalled some of the footage of Harry Nilsson’s late night recording and jam sessions with John Lennon in the 70s.
Tillman has a long career behind him, and Father John Misty is only the newest incarnation of a man who has been making music for a decade, but he’s certainly on the top of his game right now. Seeing him is highly recommended.
Earlier in the evening, London’s Dry the River performed a crowd-pleasing set of their metal-infused folk rock. Barefoot lead singer Peter Liddle led the band through songs such as “New Ceremony” and “No Rest” as his backing band, including a violinist, rocked out along with him. Of note is the fact that band has just wrapped up a tour with Houndmouth, a band Pop Press International has had an eye on for a while. Many of Dry the River’s fans showed up early for their set, and the crowd seemed somewhat split in allegiances. I consider it a positive when bands draw respective fans and thus allow the music of their nightly cohorts to be shared with newcomers. In the end, this is the kind of show that makes up for missing a huge event like ACL. I’d have traded my tickets any day.
