After completing his stint as drummer of Seattle indie folk heroes Fleet Foxes last year, Joshua Tillman (aka Father John Misty) decided to tease Australia with only 3 shows nationally.
The highly prolific singer-songwriter/drummer/guitarist and comedian, as it would seem, has been touring steadily since the release of his 8th studio album Fear Fun (the first under the Father John Misty moniker), and is preparing for an appearance at Coachella 2013.
Upon arriving at the Hi-Fi on this balmy (read: scorching) evening, it seemed as though ticket sales may have been a tad on the disappointing side, as concert-goers roamed freely in the cauldron that is the Hi-Fi mosh pit.
This theory would later be shattered as a line was quickly forming outside, ever growing towards Flinders Street station.
ARIA award nominees Oh Mercy hit the stage while many audience members asked bartenders ‘what’s the coldest bloody drink you can make?’
Vocalist Alexander Gow opened their set with a solo number. His Julian Casablancas meets Bryan Ferry style and striking vocal presence grabbed everyone’s attention before he was joined by Rohan Sforcina on drums for the next track, and Eliza Lam and Simon Okely on bass and guitar respectively for the third.
This incremental build in orchestration had a great impact on the tone of their set and really helped to slowly build the energy levels in the room.
If there were only one word to describe Oh Mercy’s live show, it would be ‘tight’. Their performance is well rehearsed, affording them near-effortless execution of each song while maintaining the interest of the audience.
The orchestration within their well-structured arrangements is incredibly well blended, always threatening to become too loud or raucous yet never doing so. A great pairing with what was to come next.
Upon the departure of Oh Mercy, it was up to one seemingly inexperienced (yet mildly entertaining) roadie to check Father John Misty and band’s gear. After 45 minutes of lead finding (and plugging), guitar strumming and drum tapping, the stage was empty and awaiting the headline act.
Tillman came out to a deafening roar. The tall and hirsute Father John Misty strutted around the stage while his band made sure everything was correctly plugged in (again).
To anyone in the crowd expecting a performer that reflected the tone of his record, it was immediately apparent that Tillman was anything but subdued and introspective as he performed ‘Fun Times In Babylon’ while displaying some seriously camp dance moves.
His voice is staggeringly good; never wavering on pitch and always powerful in its delivery while the audience hangs on every word.
The theatrical nature of his performance makes not only an interesting visual, but was also an incredibly powerful technique in disarming the (often difficult and much talked about) ‘Melbourne audience’.
Father John Misty are a world class band, with each member displaying virtuosic ability on their respective instruments.
Working through standout tracks from Fear Fun such as “Nancy From Now On”, “Now I’m Learning To Love The War”, “This Is Sally Hatchet” and the extended, show-closing crowd favorite “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings”, the band maintained a level of exuberance often reserved for hard-rock acts.
Something needs to be said about their ability to get a room full of people dancing and bopping to what is, essentially, a western blues song.
Tillman’s charisma and humour was as impressive as his performance, with each section of mid-song banter often receiving roaring laughter.
“We’re Father John Misty, from America. We flew here on a bald eagle. That’s our national bird. Get used to it,” came on quip.
“We’re the band you came here to see. Although it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about how many pony hair shoes you have when you die,” another gem from his expansive comic repertoire.
The way in which he interacted with the audience was spectacular, inviting everyone to “only choose one emotion to share between you for the night.” A particular crowd member cheekily suggests ‘boredom’, prompting Tillman to lead the audience into a collective, disappointed “meh…”
It’s clear to see that Father John Misty’s star is on the rise.
The combination of quality songwriting, impressive band, near-perfect vocal, and Tillman’s charisma all go together to create something truly rare in the current musical landscape; a kind of depth that everyone in the audience could relate to.
It would not be a surprise to see Father John Misty return to headline major festivals sometime soon.
