Father John Misty, Roundhouse

When he appeared on Letterman last year to sing ‘Bored in the USA’, Father John Misty had everyone fooled. Besuited at the piano, he was the paragon of the alienated crooner, pouring out his poetically-rendered woes with complete earnest conviction. But then he rose – the camera pulling back to reveal an actual pianist playing entire time – and it became gradually clear that the whole performance was a self-aware posture. By the time he bemoaned his “useless education” and “a subprime loan”, the audience was united both in laughter for his sardonically grim worldview and applause for his stirringly intense music. But then, another twist – the laughter was pre-recorded. It was one of the most extraordinary television performances for some time.
Father John Misty – alias of Joshua Tillman – is known best for his four years with the world-conquering Fleet Foxes. He shouldn’t be – he boasts a solo career that far predates his work with the band, and is much more prolific. His seven albums of the 00s, released as J. Tillman, offer sparse, haunted folk. Although heartfelt and beauteous, they felt almost consciously minor works. While touring for the last of them, Tillman began to deploy jokes between songs, becoming himself on stage rather than a melancholy troubadour. A couple of years later, after some encounters with psychedelics, Father John Misty was born.
Fear Fun(2012) showcased a completely new Tillman, pulling in country, psychedelic and glam influences to his sound. His lyrics, previously poetic but po-faced, became witty and generous. If anything, they are even more affecting than before. And with new album I Love You, Honeybear, he has expanded his musical palette like nothing else before, creating his first verifiable masterpiece. Over eleven tracks, he runs from string-laced ballads to charging rock, all capped off by his rich, clear voice.
After selling out two May dates at the Roundhouse, Tillman has now added a third show to his residency. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday 9 December for Roundhouse members, with general sale commencing at 10 a.m. on Thursday 10 December.