If Childish Gambino is done, fans will forever know that the multi-faceted artist left it all on the table here on the “This is America” tour that visited Denver this week. More on that in a bit, but west coast opener, Vince Staples, provided more than a few minutes of stage warming that gained a lot of new fans. Staples is performing behind a strong body of work that includes a collaboration with Gorillaz and three full-length albums; the most recent release being the 2018 “FM” album. Despite the obvious absence of a backing band, Vince flexed well with the prerecorded beats and black and white visuals across the arena.” Staples is crushing the glass ceiling and being tapped as an opener for Childish Gambino only further solidifies his place in the current hip-hop landscape. On the first keys of “745,” the Pepsi Center stage shook collectively with a wave of monstrous bass.
Donald Glover as Childish Gambino is speculated to cease to exist after this tour. I don’t buy it. Not for one second. If you had felt what we all felt during the opener of “Algorythm” you’d think that his phase of “woke” music meets mainstream mass status is just beginning.
FX’s prized star hit the stage as if he’d wrapped up recording the “This Is America” video with the shirtless and cream colored pants look. Despite the poppy tendencies like on “Summertime Magic,” Glover achieves an effortless level of cool that makes the vibe not feel forced or schmaltzy. You could feel that the “Atlanta” star is comfortable in his own skin and doing this on his own terms. The unsung heroes of the evening stayed out of sight as the backing band for the Childish Gambino tour played a masterful role in capturing a captivating evening of one of the true renaissance artists of this generation. Donald Glover is too talented to hang it up and
Unfortunately, due to the “no photographers” rule, we were relegated to the stands, however, S/O to Bandwagon from Instagram for the great photo!
Childish Gambino Setlist
at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, USA 12.04.18
Atavista
(Vocals played from tape)
Algorythm
Summertime Magic
I. The Worst Guys
II. Worldstar
Late Night in Kauai
(Live video of Childish… more )
Stand Tall
(First half only; in lower bowl)
Boogieman
(“Me and Your Mama” intro and “Unnecessary” lyrics)
Riot
Have Some Love
Terrified
Feels Like Summer
Human Sacrifice
This Is America
Encore:
Sober
V. 3005
IV. Sweatpants
Redbone