Father John Misty, Jacaranda Baltic Liverpool, 13/04/25

Father John Misty returns to Liverpool ahead of his June show at the Olympia, with a stripped back matinee in the Baltic.

While the new Father John Misty album isn’t anything fancy, and honestly, I don’t see it climbing very high in his discography rankings, it feels like it might end up near the bottom compared to his earlier work. So going into his acoustic matinee at the Jacaranda Baltic in Liverpool, expectations were modest.

The venue was a small basement underneath Cain’s Brewery in the Baltic Triangle. The room itself felt pretty lackluster-cramped and a bit dingy-with a sketchy stairwell that honestly felt like a death trap. A couple of people even took a tumble coming down, which didn’t exactly add to the comfort of the setting. Still, the intimate space suited the laid-back, personal vibe of the afternoon.

Although the show was billed as a special performance to promote the new album, Father John Misty surprisingly didn’t play any new songs. Instead, the setlist leaned heavily on cuts from I Love You, Honeybear and Fear Fun, creating an ethereal, nostalgic atmosphere.

The stripped-back acoustic arrangements really let the songwriting shine through. The mood was gentle and reflective throughout, making it l

He kicked off the set with “I’m Writing a Novel,” setting a mellow tone that carried through the afternoon. The performance was stripped back and mostly acoustic, which allowed the emotional depth and lyrical wit of his songs to shine through without distraction. Before the open, Misty was refreshingly candid and casual, even mentioning he was tired because he’d stayed up late watching The White Lotus-a small moment that made the atmosphere feel very relaxed and personal.

The setlist was concise but well-curated, including favorites like “Mr. Tillman,” “Everyman Needs a Companion,” “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings,” and the heartfelt “I Love You, Honeybear.” He closed with “Holy Shit,” leaving the audience with a lingering sense of warmth and introspection.

While some might have hoped for a preview of new tracks, the focus on his beloved older material made for a soothing, almost ethereal experience that highlighted why Father John Misty’s songwriting resonates so deeply.

In the end, the show felt like a cozy, almost private matinee rather than a typical album preview. If you’re a fan of Father John Misty’s earlier work, especially, this was a lovely chance to hear those songs up close and unplugged. Despite the modest venue and the absence of new tracks, the performance had a warm, intimate charm that made the afternoon worthwhile.