Father John Misty played an impassioned set at the Corner Hotel last Saturday, with a great assortment of local folk/pop acts, it was a night to remember.
It must be disheartening to be a support act and play to a nearly empty room, particularly when you’re as talented as ex-Snowman member Joe McKee. The man has such a genteel presence and the power and integrity in his vocals was truly disarming.
McKee’s solo work is definitely not for everyone – the quiet, sparse sounds are chilling – but his music was well executed live with some extra ambience added from Shags Chamberlain’s knob twiddling & a friend on violin.
Brisbane troubadour Thomas Calder aka The Trouble With Templeton put on a pleasant display of sweet folk pop. They began as a three piece before inviting the full band up onstage mid-set for apparently what was only their second live show in that incarnation. They played well and had a fun, laid back presence and their music was well received by the crowd. A band well worth checking out if you’re a fan of the folk genre.
By the time Father John Misty took to the stage there was barely space to breath in the band room as the ladies in the sold out crowd rushed to the front of the stage in a swooning frenzy over Joshua Tillman’s suave onstage moves. The man is sex on legs – a big old ball of charisma with an intoxicating presence. As his smooth vocals rang out across the Corner he inspired the crowd to get up and move to his energetic display.
Tillman’s reckless swagger and hilarious one liners between songs kept the crowd enraptured for the duration of their performance. Highlights of the night were fantastic renditions of “Every Man Needs A Companion” and “Now I’m Learning To Love The War”.
The soothing effect of his music proved to be a very uplifting experience live and I loved every second of his set – which seemed to be over all too quickly as the band walked offstage far earlier than their advertised finish time with no encore for the fans. Regardless the punters spilled out onto the pavement with massive grins on their faces exclaiming how they’d just partaken in something akin to a spiritual awakening.
Father John Misty are an engaging live act who are tight, energetic and incredibly fun. Here’s hoping they’ll be back on our shores soon to continue spreading the love.
