Live Report: Father John Misty at Iveagh Gardens

Father John Misty, known to his mother as Josh Tillman, held court at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens on Saturday night, presenting an artful display that kept the audience firmly in the palm of his hands.

There was a slight air of uncertainty amongst the crowd before what was his first performance in the capital since headlining Vicar Street in 2018.

Perhaps this mix of anticipation and apprehension was due to the dreary Dublin drizzle, or the fact that Father John Misty’s latest record, Chloë and the Next 20th Century, was – in this reviewer's eyes – not as strong of a project as we’ve come to expect from the former Fleet Foxes drummer.

Despite this, there was still a tangible excitement to see the elusive singer-songwriter in the flesh, whetted by an energetic set from the exciting Portadown support act Jealous of The Birds.

Father John Misty at Iveagh Gardens. Saturday 15th of July 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

In his signature black suit and shiny shoes, Tillman and his superbly talented eight-piece ensemble began with 'The Next 20th Century', the closer from his 2022 album.

As he crooned about his disdain for the entertainment industry in his trademark sardonic style, the mood for the evening became clear: when this Father speaks, everyone listens.

The opener was followed by a set of melodramatic numbers including ‘Strange Encounter’, and the late-era Beatles tinged ‘(Everything But) Her Love.’

Tillman delivered these songs with nonchalance, leaning his elbow on the microphone stand and shrugging his shoulders as if these tales of struggling love were the blandest of break room conversations.

As the concert went on, this composure was traded to reveal a sincere side, wavering between showmanship and vulnerability. This was evident with ‘Goodbye Mr Blue’, a touching ballad describing the decline of a relationship during (and perhaps caused by) the death a beloved cat.

One of the highlights came before the performance of 'The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment', a scathing takedown of a love interest. Father John told an anecdote of how a college student emailed him, saying that she was writing her thesis on the “pitfalls of partying”.

He replied explaining that the song was actually about the narrator’s frustrations over his “inability to perform sexually and spiritually” being projected onto a girl who is “probably fine."

“I think I’ll stick with the partying angle”, the student replied, much to the amusement of the Iveagh Gardens audience.

Father John Misty at Iveagh Gardens. Saturday 15th of July 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The band really hit their stride towards the end of the concert with string of lively fan favourites. Tillman's stage presence had now shifted from a cool hand-in-pocket strut to drunk-uncle dance moves that only he could get away with.

Reaching out and grasping for the audience during the driving and orchestral ‘Pure Comedy’, it became evident that songs from his 2017 album of the same name are brought to life in a live setting, through to the lush and dramatic horn sections complementing Tillman's flawless voice and knack for a pop-perfect melody.

The apex of the concert was marked by Tillman surrendering to the elements by getting down on his knees and embracing wind and rain.  A theatrical flourish that he noted as juxtaposing his usual contempt for the pompous.

The main set concluded with the violently romantic and massively popular ‘I Love You Honeybear’ as its sing-along choruses allowed fans to give their vocal cords a good work out if they hadn't done so already.

Father John Misty at Iveagh Gardens. Saturday 15th of July 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The former pastor-in-training returned to the stage for the encore with a cigarette in one hand and a pint of Guinness in the other, much to the pleasure of the locals.

‘We’re Only People (And There’s Not Much Anyone Can Do About That)' was given its tour debut before Misty and his immaculate band closed with the lively ‘I’m Writing a Novel’ and an admittedly rushed solo rendition of ‘Holy Shit’.

There was a notable absence of his most listened to song on Spotify, ‘Real Love Baby’ from the set – however, this may only have offended more casual members of the audience.

The performance not only confirmed Father John Misty's enigmatic status, but showcased his prowess as a captivating performer.

He didn’t let his reputation for cynicism overshadow his love for performing – a far cry from a 2016 festival appearance in the US when he controversially lectured the crowd and cut his set short.

Josh Tillman proved he's an artist capable of shattering our views on climate, politics, and religion, while effortlessly making us swoon to his melodic love songs. All in all, a triumphant return to Dublin for the indie-folk provocateur.

You can find the full gallery of photos from the gig here.