Photos & Review by Stephen Bloch
There is an adage that originated in the jam band community: never miss a Sunday show. There should be another adage: never miss an opening acts. This held true on Monday evening at Madison, Wisconsin’s The Sylvee where a triple bill was on the docket consisting of Miya Folick and Father John Misty co-headlining with The Head and The Heart for their first of two sold-out shows. American singer-songwriter Miya Folick kicked off the evening with a nearly 45 minute set of music mainly from her 2023 release, Roach. She made many new fans who were taken in by her indie pop songs about vulnerability, isolation, and finding simple solutions by being grounded in creature comforts. She knows how to be vulnerable and powerful at the same time, a rarity among musical performances.
Lights dimmed and from the darkness came the enigmatic Josh Tillman, better known as Father John Misty. With two nights of music on top and five full length albums to draw from, Monday proved to be an eclectic show drawing heavily from his standout, I Love You, Honeybear. While Tillman is clearly the showman/frontman, he allowed for ample contributions from the nine other bandmates including four members on horns. Tillman’s songs are often tales of the lures of Hollywood and the cynicism that comes with it as well chemically enhanced escapades. Songs aside, a Father John Misty show is also about his charisma and quirkiness. He is a showman who prances, struts, slinks, and provides ample stares when you least expect it. This isn’t a schtick. It’s who Josh is, or at least who I think he is (he’s one of a few artists who I’d like to follow around for a week and just observe).
The second header for this show was Seattle’s The Head and the Heart. It seems like half the people at the show were there for Tillman and the other half for The Head and the Heart. I’m certain both groups of patrons were happy with getting two headliners. The bulk of their set came from their most recent album Every Shade of Blue and from their self-titled debut. This is a band that has really expanded their production with amble strobes and lighting. They have very committed fans based upon the singalongs to every single song.
Never miss a Sunday show, never miss an opener. Trust me.
