DYNAMIC SHOW REVIEW | Father John Misty | NYC | 7.30.13 

Father John Misty puts the “white,” in leisure suit. Pimped out and rocking nighttime shades, the white James Brown greeted the Terminal 5 venue with his best BeeGees “Stayin Alive” swag. With a hyped crowd and his super fly gear in check — we now had the makings for a good Summertime.

Pure. Entertainment. Former Fleet Foxes’s drummer Joshua Tillman (Mr. Misty’s real name) is a must see act for those who are looking for a fun-filled night, where your headlining act is in a constant state of spontaneity. Or maybe’s he’s just lit for hours at a time. On this evening, Father John started out a tad slow, dropping “Funtimes in Babylon” and “Only Son of a Ladies Man” to get the set going. While the song selection may have been mild mannered, the comedy segment was just getting going. He started the set with a monologue describing how we’d endeavor time spent with him, apologizing for the “lack of JUMBOTRONS” and expressing how he’s glad the venue was not an “airplane hanger.” And even though he was slow jamming us at that point, he didn’t hesitate to get all James Brown on our asses, with crazy dance antics and knee slides the stage over. Smiles were being had all around.

The set went on. What ensued were more soul dance moves, a Father John Misty crowd surfing session and solid jokes. As he rolled through “Well, You Can do it Without Me,” “O I Long to Feel your Arms Around Me,” and “Tee Pees 1-12,” it become evident that we were all having fun. Best moment of this moment was when Misty talked about giving birth to himself. Shit. Yes. Shit. For those who know this act, it was familiar in the best way, and for the newcomers to this brand of folk rock – fans were made.

All of this lead up to an encore for the ages. In true Misty fashion, the encore also got it’s own monologue, one that started a little like this: “Welcome to the encore.God. I want this shit to be awesome.” And awesome is exactly what we got. Playing a new song to open this portion of the show, the climax hit when Misty and the crew went all Beatles on Terminal 5, playing “Happiness is a Warm Gun.” Good night nurse! Father John Misty closed with another new track, but the damage was done. Bringing together thought provoking intriguing lyrics, mixed with folk soul and legit comedy, gets you a night you don’t forget. Luckily for us he’s working on a new record. No idea what that’s going to sound like. That’s the way it should be.

Writer | Rene Ramirez

Photographers | Katie Henry + Rene Ramirez

THE SET LIST:

Funtimes in Babylon
Only Son of a Ladies Man
Nancy From Now On
I’m Writing a Novel
Misty’s Nightmares 1 & 2 
This is Sally Hatchet
Well, You Can do it Without Me
O I Long to Feel your Arms Around Me
Tee Pees 1-12 
Everyman Needs a Companion
Hollywood Forever Cemetery Signs

ENCORE
New Song
Happiness is a Warm Gun
New Song