Discover Top Posts Tagged with #campflognaw2017

Looking for warm weather, carnival rides, and some kick ass performances? Look no further than Camp Flog Gnaw.

Camp Flog Gnaw is annual music festival put on by Tyler, the Creator in L.A. The festival’s lineup features everything from mainstream rap like Migos, EDM, to singer songwriters such as Solange Knowles and Mac DeMarco. What makes this festival so unique and the first of its kind, besides having a wide variation of sounds, is the creativity and imagination behind its design.

As said by vashtie.com, “The carnival is the brain child of Tyler, the Creator. . . Camp Flog Gnaw has Tyler written all over it. He announced the first carnival shortly before his album Wolf, a project centered around his love for summer camps, was released. Near every stage you could find a Converse Golf Le Fluer collection-themed charging station. There was even a mechanical hot dog station (think mechanical bulls at a bar) that was sponsored by The Jellies, Tyler’s new show on Adult Swim. While on the hot dog people from all over threw hot dogs at whomever was on it. The games, rides, and performances were all reminiscent of elements of Tyler’s personality.”

Without further ado, let us take a look at some of the best, and not so good, performances last year at Camp Flog Gnaw.

Mac DeMarco: Prior to his performance, I hadn’t familiarized myself with Mac DeMarco or much of his music besides his popular hits like “Salad Days.” I must say, this man is an entertainer. DeMarco as described by pitchfork.com, “In a heap of artists who take their craft very seriously, here's a guy with a penchant for public nudity, shameless drunkenness, and slovenly classic-rock covers peppered with the shouted words “SUCK MY DICK!” So while some find his behavior repugnant, others are enthralled with his youthful abandon; either way, within the often faceless world of modern guitar rock, DeMarco demands attention by not giving a fuck.” DeMarco not only demonstrated a strong performance at CFG, but did so with a such a carefree attitude. At one point during an instrumental break, he actually swung the microphone around his hand. Seeing Mac live reminded me to let go and live a little.

ASAP Rocky: Rocky’s powerful stage presence combined with his swag made this performance unforgettable. His ability to hype a crowd during a rap freestyle verse, but slow them down during a more heartfelt track like “LSD” affirms his talent and growth as an artist. Being able to experience Rocky’s set live made it all the more magical and unforgettable.

Lana Del Rey: A large part of my childhood was dedicated to Lana Del Rey, so you can imagine how monumental this moment was. Despite not knowing a few tracks off her new album, “Lust For Life,” I was able to sing along to nearly every song in her set. Her intentional picks of fan favorites like, “Summertime Sadness,” “Blue Jeans,” and “Diet Mountain Dew” made for a magical serenade that brought listeners back a few albums. Her voice, nearly identical to the studio versions, emanates such beauty and power. Her soft, yet dark sound sets itself apart from other mainstream music and creates a genre of its own. The simplicity and humbleness she possesses is so special; something many artists today don’t have.

Migos: This was my second time seeing the Migos live, and my opinion of them remains the same: they suck. For one, the group heavily relies on autotune and a loud playback of their track in the background. I not once heard what sounded like a raw vocal. Additionally, this group lacks stage presence. Anyone can play a hit track, but not anyone can deliver a stellar performance that enthralls an audience. During multiple instances during the performance, the three men can be seen standing still, singing without any sort of conviction or passion. The performance also lacked engagement and interaction with the audience. The Migos belong on the radio, not on a stage.

Solange Knowles: Can you imagine being the sister of Beyonce? Despite her sister’s enormous success, Solange has developed her own, unique sound that could be considered just as worthy as her sisters. Her slow burning, soulful approach to music has resulted in a work of art: “A Seat at the Table.” This album encapsulates the struggle of black survival, while highlighting the pain and joy of black womanhood. A powerful album, but an even more powerful performance to witness. Solange’s voice and visual performance was captivating, as was the conviction she sang with.

Kid Cudi: The greatest decision made by Tyler, the Creator was the decision to close the festival with Kid Cudi. Cudi, despite having a tough previous year, showed up and delivered a hell of a show. His infectious energy and spirit throughout the set kept the crowd entertained and made for one hell of a closing act. In an intimate moment during his set, Cudi discusses his absence from music. He opened up about his ongoing struggle with mental illness and assured the audience he’s here to stay. He also assures the crowd that no matter what, “they'll be good,” leading into his popular track “Pursuit of Happiness.” Damn.

Lil Yachty: Five minutes of my life I can never get back. Trash.

After attending Camp Flog Gnaw, I have come to understand the hype around music festivals. The ability for different artists to come together and each deliver their own production and visions is remarkable. Experiencing so many of my favorite artists live has truly brought the music to life for me and has instilled memories in me that will last a lifetime.