One of the amazing things about Josh Tillman’s work as Father John Misty, is that with each newfound level of well-deserved success, he’s taken his sound to a new level and direction, challenging his ever-growing fanbase to keep up. Sure, each new album still maintains many of the elements from his previous work, but it’s undeniably a step-forward and a showcase of growth. His latest album, Pure Comedy (released in April via Sub Pop) is his most challenging work to date, but also, his most rewarding.
With a lengthy runtime of 74-minutes, Tillman asks his listeners to go on a journey with him, with plenty of of the tongue-in-cheek comedy that his “character” is practically built on, along with spot-on political sentiments and thought-provoking ruminations. It’s the sort of album that sounds good upon first listen, but that sounds magnificently great half a dozen listens later.
This spring he’s been hard at work touring in support of the record. We caught his show on May 11, the first of a sold out two-night run at Brooklyn Steel, following a sold out show at Kings Theatre as well.
The show began with a true and proper intro to Pure Comedy, with its first five tracks played in order, followed by two more new songs. It was a sobering start to the show, probably a challenge to some fans who craved the instant gratification of hearing some of the more familiar “hits.” But it set the mood and atmosphere for the night, and got us into the mindset of the show. Tillman soon rewarded fans patience with furious run of favorites like “Funtimes in Babylon,” “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” and “I Love You, Honeybear” in no-time, completely captivating the attention of the sold out crowd, who to their credit, kept their focus on the stage that Father John Misty graced, rather than their phones.
Tillman was in good spirits, if not quieter than usual for the first part of the show. During the encore he got a bit chattier, engaging in some hilarious banter with a fan who he could hear thanks to a microphone placed on the stage near the crowd. He also genuinely thanked the audience for sticking with him, admitting that “two hours is a long time to be on your feet.” Most of the night however was straight business, with triumphant versions of songs both old and new (“So I’m Growing Old On Magic Mountain” was a particular stunner, just as it is on the record), with plenty of Tillman’s already trademark bombastic movements.
He’s only three albums in (as Father John Misty) but already established himself as one of the defining artists of our generation, and the scary part is he’s really only getting started.
Find the setlist from night one of Brooklyn Steel posted below, along with a photo gallery from his performance.
Father John Misty Setlist:
1. Pure Comedy
2. Total Entertainment Forever
3. Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution
4. Ballad of the Dying Man
5. Birdie
6. A Bigger Paper Bag
7. When the God of Love Returns There’ll Be Hell to Pay
8. When You’re Smiling and Astride Me
9. Strange Encounter
10. Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Goddamn Thirsty Crow
11. Funtimes in Babylon
12. Nancy From Now On
13. Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)
14. True Affection
15. Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings
16. I Love You, Honeybear
17. The Ideal Husband
Encore:
18. Bored in the USA
19. The Memo
20. I’m Writing a Novel
21. Real Love Baby
22. So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain
23. Holy Shit
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