Written by Hannah Kost
Photo via @ozarkmusichall
I remember hearing Father John Misty’s single Real Love Baby released in 2016 play as my dad and stepmom’s first dance song at their wedding. This was a pivotal moment in my music loving career, and I think about it often, seeing as he’s been one of my favorite artists since then. I saw him once at Austin City Limits Live with my stepmom, he gave me a shout out because I was 11 and he was cussing left and right. More recently I got the opportunity to see him again, but this time as a 19 year old.
Father John Misty played at once JJ’s Live, now Ozark Music Hall, this past October in Fayetteville, Arkansas. If you ever get a chance to go to a show at Ozark Music Hall, It’s highly recommended. The environment is lively and the sound in the venue is great. The band Cut Worms opened for Misty, which I coincidentally have always loved as well. The crowd was seemingly disinterested with most of the openers set. Everyone around me was talking for most of the Cut Worms set, but it was a great start to the night. The most notable song played was “Song of the Highest Tower”, performed with the meek and gentle voice of Max Clarke. Their set reminded me of Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s earlier albums mixed with Twain’s rhythm and guitar style, I enjoyed it.
Waiting for Misty to enter the stage felt like a lifetime. It feels weird to say but I have grown to love his music so much, I felt like an eager fan girl waiting for her muse to begin performing. Once he walked out, stage lights turned off and there was nothing but a red glow beaming around his silhouette. He starts the night with the song “I guess time just makes fools of us all”. This was a rather dramatic start to the show, but completely expected because of his true performing character and stage presence. I think of him as a male version of Lana Del Ray with a touch of Morissey’s attitude. Misty used the entire stage, for the entire performance. If someone is born to do something, Misty is born to be on stage. During the middle of his set he played “Mr Tillman” a song about a character Misty has created over his music career. This character was first introduced in an album released in 2018 called God’s Favorite Customer. Some notable songs that were performed and enjoyed equally were “I’m writing a novel”, “Real Love Baby”, and “She Cleans Up”. That being said, my favorite songs performed has to start with “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for two virgins)”. This was one of the most amazing performances I’ve seen in awhile. His band and his passion for the music they create is so evident on stage. The trumpet solo in this song is so unexpectedly beautiful and gives you almost a sense of freedom. Another honorable mention is “Nancy from Now On” from his 2012 album Fear Fun. This is one of his more raw and authentic songs, I feel let’s you see what lies behind his scruffy beard and Gucci loafers. The last two songs were my favorite but tied in very close for first place, and both were played during his encore. “Hollywood Cemetery” was performed to perfection. The lights dimmed to the dark red from earlier in the set, and once again the crowd was met with a dark tall silhouette. If this article convinces you to listen to any song of his, let it be this one. This song has a sensual undertone that just pulls the crowd in closer. Lastly, my absolute favorite song of his “Love you, Honeybear” from his 2015 Love you, Honeybear album was by far the best song performed that night. All of his lyrics I consider genius, but more specifically genius in this song. It’s one of the most tragically romantic and beautiful songs I have ever heard. Hearing it live was absolutely incredible and every single audience member was belting the words. He walked off stage and I felt so filled with joy for music in general. Music brings strangers together, because it’s something the audience loves so truly and authenticity. You spend your free time with these artists and then getting the opportunity to see them live is such an incredibly important and special thing.
This performance was one of the best performances I’ve seen in awhile. Feeling the artist’s love for not only the “game” of performing and what comes with fame and fortune, but feeling the passion is what I look for in live music. FJM definitely had it that night. Sometimes you leave a concert and you think, “That was worth the $30.” Or you leave thinking, “No, that definitely wasn’t worth the $30.” I am only a college student, but I would’ve paid a lot more than $30 to see that show again.