Father John Misty dazzles Dublin's Vicar Street

By Ed Power

Joshua Tillman’s career bears out the old adage that tragedy plus time adds up to comedy.

Tillman was raised by hardline Christians in suburban Washington DC and as a child lived in literal fear of the apocalypse.

Yet, as Father John Misty, he has spun those formative traumas into damasked orchestral pop, his music torn between the heavenly vistas of LA confessional balladry and the earthier realm of alternative rock.

He thus simultaneously smiles wryly in the face of an indifferent universe and just about holds back the tears.

It’s a fascinating blend, elevated further by Tillman’s gift for pastiche.

On the first of three more or less sold out nights at Vicar Street, the 37-year-old materialised in the guise of pop preacher man, sporting not entirely ironic sunglasses, a dapper suit and the sort of beard Joaquin Phoenix favours for his “interesting” projects.

Whether Tillman was celebrating the caricature of the jaded rocker or deconstructing it was never wholly clear – an ambivalence that brought an edge to the lush theatrics.

His swirling repertoire was similarly riven with winks and contradictions. 'Nancy From Now On' and 'Only Son of the Ladiesman' were gauzy edifices that blended clever lyrics and slick hotel bar arrangements.

But he bared his soul on 'Total Entertainment Forever' and 'Bored in The USA', a Springsteen send-up that skewered the Boss even as it expressed emotions that were, if anything even more raw-boned than of the original all American bawler.

Heightening the drama was a full-fat backing band: three horn players, a pianist, several guitarist and keyboard manipulators.

Father John Misty album 'God's Favorite Customer'

“I have a new album coming out – here are the management-approved excerpts,” he said, nodding towards the imminent fourth studio LP, God’s Favourite Customer.

Here and elsewhere the paradox that drives Tillman's music were laid bare as he stood before us as a master of irony who couldn't quite conceal a burning streak of earnestness.

It was a sardonic soufflé – bouncy and artificially sweetened yet with an aftertaste that lingered.

5/5 stars