Father John Misty brings his Mahashmashana tour to Manchester for a magical performance that oozes maturity and builds toward a night of emotional euphoria.

★★★★★ (5/5)

**FATHER JOHN MISTRY PERFORMING AT MANCHESTER’S O2 APOLLO**
**PHOTOCREDIT: TREV EALES**

Butch doesn’t look very “Butch” and I can’t testify to his parenthood but he certainly has talent. He’s actually Ian Murray, formerly of Seattle based indie folk act Poor Moon. They’re a Fleet Foxes side project, so his links with tonight’s headliner go way back. It’s just Butch and his acoustic guitarwith a sound rooted in classic 1970’s singer song writer territory. With an engaging voice there’s much to like. Across 40 minutes we’re treated cuts from recent album Death Valleyalongside earlier material. It’s all new to me but tracks like, If It Wasn’t For The UFO’s and, Elegy For The Baby Boomer in D immediately make an impression. This is music where the lyrics matter and mostly the crowd are attentive and appreciative, but it’s unfortunate that for some, an unknown support act is just an opportunity to chatter while waiting for the headliner.

Lights dim and musicians saunter on stage. There’s no big intro or production as the band break into the infectious rhythm of I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All. This sprawling mid-tempo epic is almost a gig within a gig. As if paying homage to his folky roots Tillman begins on acoustic guitar, stationary at the mic. As the music ebbs and flows he’ll meander laconically, hand in pocket before we find him backlit, silhouetted, micstand aloft, punching the air. While ruminating on the perils of aging there’s no shortage of religious imagery and trademark cynicism as tasteful guitar and soaring sax punctuate proceedings. As an opening statement it’s pretty faultless.

The pace slows for Josh Tillman and the Accidental Dose. The arrangement’s more sparse, mournful at times with jazz tinged keys. Here, our narrator’s in self confessional mode as he name checks Van Morrison and Astral Weeks. The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apt keeps Father John’s alter ego in focus. Drugs and narcissism prevail in this classic melodic ballad blurring the lines between Tillman and Misty. A little later, new track Being You continues the theme. Backed by keys, drums and faux strings we find the protagonist trapped inside a parody of himself; “Can you tell me what it feels like being you.”

As the set rolls on, Goodbye Mr Blue evokes 1970’s singer song writers in its instrumentation and vocal phrasing, while Nancy From Now On juxtaposes a seemingly sweet ballad with lyrics conveying something far more unsavoury. God’s Favourite Customer brings melancholia accompanied by keyboard tinkling, while Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Goddam Thirsty Cow is wordy and emotive with an orchestral feel.

But things are about to change . . .

She Cleans Up introduces a very different feel and brings a sense that things are moving to a different level. Its rock / funk rhythm has real urgency and reveals an unseen, heavier side to the band with guitar to the fore. Meanwhile, Father John’s often laconic delivery is replaced by powerful, punchy vocals.

Screamland seems to transport dank Manchester to Claustrophobic Los Angeles. Opening in sombre tones it builds toward something ethereal with a wall of sound and Hollywood movie strings. Quiet / loud in structure with tender verses punctuated by orchestral instrumentation, it’s an ode to Tinseltown, hedonism and perpetuating youth; “Stay young, get numb, keep dreaming.”

Summer’s Gone takes things down. Tender and emotive with just vocals and piano, FJM strolls the stage, hand in pocketonce more. His laconic, easy delivery brings echoes of Hollywood crooners of yesteryear. As the lyrics evoke images of loss and nostalgia, they’re superbly complimented by classic movie style spotlight backlighting.

Tonight’s gig is well endowed with tracks from Father John’s current album Mahashmashana, a title derived from Sanskrit “Mahasmasana,” meaning great cremation ground. He saves the title track to close tonight and it’s simply monumental. There’s a grandiose feel from the start but it builds impossibly as wave upon wave of sound hit us. Subdued, nostalgic lighting is banished as the stage is bathed in light. Orchestral keyboards and soaring sax transport the music higher and higher. It’s emotional, uplifting and euphoric with the Apollo transformed by beaming faces and hands in the air. As a finale this really is something special. Perhaps our symbolic cremation has delivered us to a higher plane!

How can you follow that? Well I guess very high has to come down so FJM and his band return for an inevitable encore.

So I’m growing Old on Magic Mountain, perpetuates themes of life and death, fear of aging, perpetual youth and a perceived afterlife. Musically it’s more subdued, bringing us down. Lyrically, we hear, “there’s no one old on Magic Mountain,” as we, “file back to the valley on the last night of life’s party.” Perhaps Father John’s asking the question: Should we fear the future or does Mahasmasana offer salvation, reincarnation and an eternal life?

Sometimes artists become prisoners of their past successes. It seems unthinkable that we don’t hear I Love You Honeybearand Father John duly obliges before bidding us farewell. Of course the crowd love it but for your reviewer it’s lost some of its potency. As a performer, Father John has moved on, his current endeavours far more powerful.

Tonight is very much Joss Tillman’s show, his band playing perfectly yet unobtrusively in the half-light. Yet their input’s invaluable with musicians switching instruments to create soundscapes that superbly compliment the songs.

It’s been 9 years since I last saw Father John Misty and as a performer he’s much changed. The wild eyed, fire breathing preacher flinging himself around a stage has gone. Tonight, he’s far more subdued, restrained, but very much in control. Some of the excitement may have gone but age has brought maturity and some great new material. Just as it was all those years ago, I suspect tonight will be a night that lingers in the memory as one of those special gigs.