For those of us who are true purveyors of this music shit, a life without concerts and music festivals is truly death in disguise. So with Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival rising from the ashes like a Phoenix this weekend in Los Angeles after a four-year hiatus, it not only signaled the auspicious return of the popular festival, but served as the resurrection of its long-suffering attendees.
“It’s been over three years and COVID did a number on us,” Tyler told the sold-out crowd during his set Saturday night. “To think that this thing right here isn’t a tangible item; it’s not something you can just like or post. Yet three years later, y’all still care to come and this truly means the world to me.”
As one of the lucky souls in attendance throughout the festival, held at Dodger Stadium, it was abundantly clear that Camp Flog Gnaw’s return meant the world to its legions of devoted fans too. And with everyone from Billie Eilish, to Martell Cognac, to viral food critic Keith Lee among those living their best lives, there was plenty to partake in. Aside from the abundance of carnival rides and activations, a wide range of artists were kind enough to bless us with memorable performances.
Those unfamiliar with Saturday night’s headliners, The Hillbillies, were in for a rude awakening when Kendrick Lamar and his Grammy Award-winning cousin, Baby Keem, took the stage to churn out an emphatic 24-song set that featured bangers like “Alright,” “Family Ties,” and “Backseat Freestyle,” in addition to debuting the trailer for the short film The Melodic Blue, which stars Keem, Amandla Stenberg, Shakira Ja’Nai Paye and others, that’s set to premiere on Prime Video on Dec. 5.
From the literal comfort of her couch (on stage), Kali Uchis delivered a sultry set in which she purred through familiar hits like “Moonlight,” the funk-soaked “After the Storm,” and her smash single “Telepatía,” as her swarm of dancers lulled the crowd into a trance. While on the Flog Stage, Clipse took another route entirely, attacking the mic with relentless fervor as the ruins of a crashed plane served as their backdrop. In what was arguably the best performance of the weekend, brothers No Malice and Pusha T ran through their illustrious catalog, reminding us that they’re not only forever “Grindin’,” but that they’re “from Virginia, where ain’t shit to do but cook.”
Other artists leaving their imprint on the festival include Ice Spice, who damn near caused a stampede despite only performing for what felt like 8 minutes (her set was scheduled for 30); Tyler, the Creator, who overcame a surprisingly tepid crowd to hit attendees in the head with “Yonkers,” “911/Mr. Lonely,” “Earthquake,” and other popular tunes; and SZA, whose set featured everything from a wrecking ball to curfew cutting her set short.
In all, for this being my first Camp Flog Gnaw experience, I definitely had a good-ass time. So for those of you on the fence about committing to buying tickets after spending the weekend watching the festivities on Prime Video (or social media), I strongly suggest you snatch up a parking pass and join in the fun next fall.