Father John Misty
Wednesday’s show was the first night of tour for Father John Misty, and the first night out of two consecutive performances at The Observatory. Fans of all ages piled in, filling in any possible space allotted. In fact, packed may even be an understatement.
The evening began with close friends of FJM—Long Beach natives, Tess and Dave. The dynamic duo brought the crowd to their tip toes, swaying along to their fun, experimental pop-folk music. They were theatrical in their performance, including antics such as pretend knighting one of their interpretive dancers who joined them on stage.
Lights up, it was now time for Josh Tillman, better known by his alias Father John Misty. His backing band came on stage, followed by the very welcomed Tillman. Thanking everyone for coming, Father John Misty, then began the show, opening with well-known number “I Love You, Honeybear,” off his 2015 record of the same title. The whole building was instantly struck with awe by the former Fleet Foxes drummer’s FJM persona and presence.
Father John Misty has such swagger! The New Orleans native graced the stage, bearing his complete soul and confident attitude, bringing some pure country-soul to The Observatory. Throughout his whole discography, he has created such fantasy within his own pretenses and such, giving off such a powerful and impressionable performance each and every time. Prancing from ledge to ledge of the stage, he somehow also managed to cover songs by Patti Smith and Rihanna. I definitely enjoyed myself and I can bet that the sold-out house did as well. I even had one of the security guys lean in to me and ask what his name was while he was performing, and he proclaimed, “Man! He’s pretty good huh?” I had to agree, Father John Misty was killer!
Words/Photography: Danielle Gornbein
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Tess and Dave
Tess and Dave
Father John Misty, Sylvan Esso upstage headliners Saturday at Hangout Fest
Father John Misty makes one fan’s year, and many fans’ night at Coachella
