On July 19th of this year, my friends and I saw Father John Misty at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City for his current Mahashmashana tour. With a runtime of over 90 minutes, including two encores, the content was worth the price of admission. This was not my first time seeing the performer live; my last time was in 2022 at the Palace Theater in St Paul. Both times included brilliant set lists, a comfortable atmosphere, and overall good vibes.
My last attendance in the Twin Cities included Father John Misty, Josh Tillman, performing with a big band stage production that had brass and string sections implemented along with the folksy indie songs that Tillman’s discography is filled with. This recent performance was more stripped down. Just the essentials: Guitars, Drums, Bass, and Vocals. While it may seem that I report this with dismay, I’m very comfortable arguing the contrary. The mix sounded clean aside from a wall of reverberating low end that’s common in the types of amphitheaters of that size, and the music was exemplary. Lighting also became a large factor during this performance. As a stagehand myself, I admit to being quite the sucker for very pronounced lighting effects.
What makes a Father John Misty Concert stand out from other shows I’ve attended is the character that the crowd presents. My friends and I were maybe 25 feet from the front row, and I never felt like I was being shoved or thrust into the mosh pits. Tillman isn’t the type of performer to have mosh pits at his shows anyway, but the crowd was hardly stationary. Many swaying or moving on beat with the tracks being played, and showing genuine enjoyment for the music itself. The venue workers themselves even handed out water to those in front, where the attendees were packed the tightest. Each of the viewing angles at the venue made for an enjoyable attendance. When I moved backwards towards the end of the show, I was still very pleased with the band and the ambience that was brought during this concert.
I recommend Father John Misty’s music and shows to fans of Mt. Joy, Fleet Foxes, and Jason Isbell.
Screen Falcon 