Contributed by Mariel Lorenz
"Things are going to get weird." That's one member of our group's sentiments before the Father John Misty show at Union Transfer a couple Saturdays ago. It was possible. The album Fear. Fun highlights Josh Tillman's, the man behind Father John Misty, strange trip to California and the quest to find to his own identity. It has everything - tales of drug use, reflections on religion, pep talks to himself, and hanging out in cemeteries. Plus just a few days before the show, it was announced he was soon to release a woman's fragrance. I don't know too many rock stars who market perfume to women. Then the roadies set up the stage unfolding a massive backdrop with an array of images - a burning church, a rainbow, skyscrapers, a castle moon bounce, and on the top an arched doorway with a naked man (maybe Tillman) with his backside turned looking straight at the audience. This was sandwiched between two disco balls. Yeah I had a feeling things could get weird too.
Maybe Tillman was thinking the same thing. Father John Misty came out to open with 'Fun Times in Babylon" then mentioned he had just flown in from the West coast after attending his sister's high school graduation. He told the audience that he was thinking during the ceremony he was going to tonight be "...shaking my ass and singing weird songs." He certainly delivered on his promise. Tillman has dance moves that could have been taken from an episode of 'Solid Gold" and the weird psychedelic sounding songs from Fear. Fun came to life. Adding to that two new songs and a Beatles cover. One could tell that Tillman and his band were having a great time showcasing the talent.
As a fan and having listened to this album for a few months, it felt almost like a commencement in itself. I came along on Tillman's soul searching journey. Now after seeing him live, I can take a break from his music for awhile and like a yearbook come back to the album now and then to reminisce. But I'm curious to see what Tillman's next chapter is going to be. Has he found satisfaction in this alter ego? What's his next adventure in Cali? Could there be a movie version of Fear. Fun? I don't know, but I'm eager to find out.
Setlist-
Funtimes in Babylon
Only Son Of The Ladiesman
Nancy From Now On
I'm Writing a Novel
Misty's Nightmares 1 & 2
Well, You Can Do It Without Me
Now I'm Learning To Love The War
Tee Pees 1-12
Everyman Needs a Companion
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings
Encore-
Untitled New Song
Happiness is a Warm Gun
Honeybear
Special thanks to Paul Lorenz for help getting some of these photos!
"Things are going to get weird." That's one member of our group's sentiments before the Father John Misty show at Union Transfer a couple Saturdays ago. It was possible. The album Fear. Fun highlights Josh Tillman's, the man behind Father John Misty, strange trip to California and the quest to find to his own identity. It has everything - tales of drug use, reflections on religion, pep talks to himself, and hanging out in cemeteries. Plus just a few days before the show, it was announced he was soon to release a woman's fragrance. I don't know too many rock stars who market perfume to women. Then the roadies set up the stage unfolding a massive backdrop with an array of images - a burning church, a rainbow, skyscrapers, a castle moon bounce, and on the top an arched doorway with a naked man (maybe Tillman) with his backside turned looking straight at the audience. This was sandwiched between two disco balls. Yeah I had a feeling things could get weird too.
Maybe Tillman was thinking the same thing. Father John Misty came out to open with 'Fun Times in Babylon" then mentioned he had just flown in from the West coast after attending his sister's high school graduation. He told the audience that he was thinking during the ceremony he was going to tonight be "...shaking my ass and singing weird songs." He certainly delivered on his promise. Tillman has dance moves that could have been taken from an episode of 'Solid Gold" and the weird psychedelic sounding songs from Fear. Fun came to life. Adding to that two new songs and a Beatles cover. One could tell that Tillman and his band were having a great time showcasing the talent.
As a fan and having listened to this album for a few months, it felt almost like a commencement in itself. I came along on Tillman's soul searching journey. Now after seeing him live, I can take a break from his music for awhile and like a yearbook come back to the album now and then to reminisce. But I'm curious to see what Tillman's next chapter is going to be. Has he found satisfaction in this alter ego? What's his next adventure in Cali? Could there be a movie version of Fear. Fun? I don't know, but I'm eager to find out.
Setlist-Funtimes in Babylon
Only Son Of The Ladiesman
Nancy From Now On
I'm Writing a Novel
Misty's Nightmares 1 & 2
Well, You Can Do It Without Me
Now I'm Learning To Love The War
Tee Pees 1-12
Everyman Needs a Companion
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings
Encore-
Untitled New Song
Happiness is a Warm Gun
Honeybear
Special thanks to Paul Lorenz for help getting some of these photos!
Comments
Post a Comment