Around 14 months ago Father John Misty was one the busiest gigs King Tut’s had seen in a long while.
Josh Tillman was just starting to ride the insane hype and PR wave that his second album, as FJM, I Love You Honey Bear, would ride.
On leaving that night the person I was with said he’s pretty much Hydro level now; close, tonight has been upgraded from the ABC to the 02 Academy and this appears to be sold out as well, however the crowd isn’t die hard Fleet Foxes fans tonight.
The old theatre setting fits as Tillman strides on again in that H&M suit that must have saved him countless hours in deciding what to wear for gig, interviews, press, videos, dancing and travelling.
Compared to last February’s gig the setlist has been reversed, opener ‘Everyman Needs a Companion’ closed Tut’s.
Fear Fun tracks make up the first half of the set while Honey Bear cuts are to the end and the title track serves the show well near the end of the set, which still hasn’t lost any magic.
‘Holy Shit’ features an apocalyptic crescendo, which displays how massive the band sound with some personel changes mostly missed by the audience; it is a one-man show basically.
It sounds like a proper pop act; tempo’s for the tunes are similar and easy going, the jokey tracks from Fear Fun make a lot of confused drunk mums think they are watching some American Russell Brand; such is the price of courting the mainstream.
If only I could think of one other Sub Pop/Bella Union act who has had that problem…
Perhaps all that is stopping FJM going any further currently is the band still only draw from two albums worth of material.
Well rehearsed by now the limited pool of songs is noticeable.
The only new original songs released since Honeybear outtakes and RSD release ‘Never Been A Woman’ and ‘The Memo’ aren’t played.
Notable covers are present, Rhianna’s ‘Kiss It Better’ makes the encore; slightly disappointed as I was hoping for the Nine Inch Nails cover.
A majority of the crowd loved the show, and maybe I’m writing for the minority, Tillman appears to be going through the motions, moves he’s nailed down after three years of touring this material; just the dancing and overall act once you’ve seen it doesn’t have the same impact.
Tillman’s Instagram documents the boredom and reality of touring, when we see this you can’t escape how this constant touring is fear of releasing a new LP that doesn’t succeed in the way Honeybear’s successor will have to in order to cement Tillman as a top tier singer songwriter, but the thought and question this show has left is why would anyone want that?
Other Questions include…
Is the success of Tillman the reason for Fleet Foxes front man coming out of retirement?
Was this him in a metal band?
This must now be the final victory lap… Hold the covers; third album please.
Words: Paul Choi
Photos: Beth Chalmers
