Since its first ever episode in 1975 featured a live performance from Billy Preston & Janis Ian, the iconic US sketch show Saturday Night Live has featured an established or emerging musical guest every episode. For as long as I can remember, the show has featured two performances per episode – and tonight it was none other than Father John Misty who hit the SNL stage, performing for the first time alongside first-time host Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures).
The booking – unsurprising to fans of the artist – proved to be one of the best musical choices of the season, with Misty (real name Joshua Tillman), delivering incredible performances of two tracks from his new record Pure Comedy – first “Total Entertainment Forever” and then the title track, all while accompanied by a classy moustache.
“Pure Comedy” in particular is spellbinding stuff, accompanied by a massive backing band to bring the song to powerful fruition. Watch the performance here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNwDxl4diyI
And watch Misty sing about Taylor Swift (and feature a good dose of saxophone) in “Total Entertainment Forever”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoLXrIi1mpU
Pure Comedy is due out on 7th April. Saturday Night Live airs in Australia on Foxtel’s Comedy Channel.
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