FATHER JOHN MISTY w/ DESTROYER
@ MASSEY HALL, TORONTO
FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Eight shows into the North American leg of the Mahashmashana Tour, Josh Tillman, better known as Father John Misty, along with opener Destroyer, took to Massey Hall for an enchanting night in Toronto. Following the release of his beautifully lavish sixth studio album, this night marked the singer-songwriter’s long-awaited return to the historic venue.
Canadian indie band Destroyer, helmed by vocalist Dan Bejar kicked the night off with an immersive hour-long set featuring “It’s Gonna Take an Airplane”, “Tinseltown Swimming in Blood” and “Chinatown”. Pulling from the band’s vast discography, Bejar’s graceful blend of art-rock and jazz set the mood perfectly for Father John Misty.
Tillman opened with “Funtimes in Babylon”, “I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All” and “Josh Tillman and the Accidental Dose” before digging deeper into his catalogue.
“This one’s for all my service industry people” the singer-songwriter said earnestly before playing “Mr. Tillman”, a fun song written from the perspective of a hotel concierge tasked with managing Tillman during his chaotic, drug-fueled stay.
MAHASHMASHANA ALBUM REVIEW
Tillman kept the energy high as the crowd sang and danced with emotion to songs like “Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Goddamn Thirsty Crow” and “She Cleans Up”. Then, with a snap of his fingers, the atmosphere shifted entirely. The audience fell into a hushed trance as he dove into the sparse and haunting “Summer’s Gone”, swaying so quietly that you could hear a pin drop.
Tillman continued to perform his classics such as “Nancy From Now On” and God’s Favorite Customer” before playing a couple more songs off his latest album.
“Me and the guys would like to play a beautiful ballad about getting gaslit by capitalism. . . Which could describe like half a dozen of these things” Tillman touted before diving into the wonderful “Mental Health”, which flowed smoothly into the last song of his setlist, the sprawling 9-minute orchestral epic “Mahashmashana”.
After a roaring applause, Father John Misty was drawn back to the stage for an encore, beginning with “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)”. He followed this with “Holy Shit” which erupted into a thrilling burst of noise rock between the chorus and the third verse and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Ending the night on a high note the band played a stirring rendition of “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain” before concluding with the sweepingly smooth “I Love You, Honeybear”.
As Tillman walked off stage, he left the audience in a state of euphoria. The night was a true masterclass of theatrics and musical flourishes.
(Photography by Cory Barter)
Father John Misty Photos
Destroyer Photos
Father John Misty Links
Destroyer Links
SPILL NEWS: DESTROYER SHARES “BOLOGNA (FEAT. FIVER)” FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM ‘DAN’S BOOGIE’
