I’ve had the Father John Misty record on repeat in my car since I first listened to it about a month ago. It is, without question, one of my favorites of the year. After I’d heard what an amazing live show the band put on from friends in Seattle who caught early dates of the tour, I did everything I could to bring a slew of friends along to the show at the Mohawk on Saturday night. We were all beyond satisfied. Who wouldn’t be with the almost stand-up comedy antics of Josh Tillman and his rollicking, energetic performance, full of outrageous surprises (read all the way to the end); Har Mar Superstar’s near nudity and relentless crowd involvement; and the simple beauty of local favorite Dana Falconberry?
Freshly returning from a multi-state tour, Falconberry opened the night, utilizing a full band lineup. As a performer, Falconberry is captivating on her own, rendering beautiful and mesmerizing songs (read about her solo performance last month here). But seeing her with a full band merely underscores her prowess in arrangement and songwriting. Songs that were outstanding with guitar alone sound equally as amazing, but more full, and it becomes clear that parts of the songs were tailored for the downbeat of a drum line or the sweetness of a melodica. Falconberry often acts as an opening artist for large touring acts, and rightfully so, but make no mistake, she easily possesses the ability to headline an evening. Find out when her next show is, and don’t miss it.
It might seem that Har Mar Superstar was an odd fit for the bill with his 70s leaning, R&B infused dance songs. However, Josh Tillman’s onstage mannerisms as Father John Misty would later shed light on their collaboration. Tillman actually performed as the drummer for Har Mar, showcasing the same profound talent he once lent to Fleet Foxes. Har Mar characteristically shed clothing layer after layer, ending up in only an animal print pair of briefs, pubes hanging out and all. Bathed in red light on Mohawk’s outdoor stage, it was as 70s porn as live music gets. This acted the final show of the tour for Har Mar and Father John Misty together, as Har Mar will be staying in town for two more weeks to record and mix an album with Spoon’s Jim Eno. Har Mar played a few selections from that forthcoming album as well as his previous standouts such as “Tall Boy” and “Sunshine.”
Father John Misty climbed onto stage last, flanked by two guitarist, a bassist, keyboardist, and drummer. Josh Tillman himself played no instrument, instead dancing gaudily, flamboyantly, and pantomiming lines from his songs. His set continued the spectacle of Har Mar’s, but combined the folkier aspects of opener Falconberry. It was, oddly, as if Falconberry’s lyrical delicacy and Har Mar’s crazed sexuality had merged. Between songs Tillman bantered about “messing with Texas,” spoke in the voice of an invented character who becomes enraged halfway through every sentence (“Burger King? If I were having it my way, I’d be HAVING A SALISBURY STEAK AT THE RITZ!!!”), and complimented the crown jewel of music: Austin, Texas. Tillman is undoubtedly a madman on stage, but a more laid-back and down to earth madman than the terrifying prophet he appears to be on his record.
Musically, his band delivered more than could be asked for. All the parts were spot on, and his renditions of almost every song on his recent debut, Fear Fun, under his new moniker, were killer. The crowd went particularly nuts for “Hollywood Cemetery Forever Sings.” At one point, Har Mar joined Tillman on stage as the two danced, shook their asses all over each other, put their faces in each other’s crotches, and performed flips, handstands, and somersaults. As amazing as the entire show was, nothing could prepare the audience for the encore.
Tillman claimed to have written the song he was about to perform “a long time ago.” He then launched into an epic, impeccable, and stellar rendition of John Lennon’s “Mind Games.” The crowd went ballistic, and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the song morphed into The Flaming Lips’ “Do you Realize??” Those who weren’t smiling and singing, instead stood slack-jawed at the beauty before them. The choices act as a perfect microcosm of everything that Tillman has done, especially on Fear Fun. His music recalls greats such as Harry Nilsson, Leonard Cohen, and John Lennon, but also possesses a contemporary satire of music and culture while delivering the euphoric joy of The Flaming Lips. I’ve been saying it for weeks now, but Father John Misty has everything one could look or hope for in an artist. It’s all there. If you still haven’t experienced, stop wasting time and get on it.
