J. Tillman, drummer of Fleet Foxes, was joined on tour by his brother, Zach, to play at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia last Tuesday night. The church’s side chapel has eleven rows and an 1880s inspired architectual design with dark hand carved wood trim. About 60 onlookers made their way to 22nd and Chestnut streets and rubbed shoulders willingly as the opening act, Zach Tillman, began playing. He immediatley filled the space with melodic finger-picking, deep-voiced Leonard Cohen-like tunes. He sang about a girl named Lola as well sarcasticly driven songs about Jesus to set up the night for his older brother’s band, in which Zach plays bass.

With a full five member band and a long beard, Tillman started with a song featuring his voice and acoustic guitar joined later with Fleet Foxes inspired layers of melodic guitar riffs and a folkish drum beat. Each song held its own story or meaning. However, the night’s climax came when Tillman sang, Master’s House, welcoming all, no matter good or evil, to a place of no pain or struggling. Soon after, Tillman led his band in a noise infused melodic jam session, strikingly different than I imagined his live music to be.

After almost 2 hours of religious infused vocal harmonies, layered finger picking guitar leads, and inspired drumming, the audience was in full support of Tillman’s efforts. Impressively honest and vulnerable, the Tillmans brought emotion, serenity, and, well, brotherly love to Philadelphia.

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