After four years, Tyler, the Creator‘s Camp Flog Gnaw made its long-awaited return to Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium over the weekend (Nov. 11 & 12). The part-festival, part-carnival experience last occurred in 2019, making headlines when surprise performer Drake was booed offstage after heavy speculation that the reclusive Frank Ocean would appear.
Tyler addressed the incident Saturday night (Nov. 11) during his performance, when he switched up the lyrics of “LUMBERJACK,” from his 2021 Grammy-winning album Call Me If You Get Lost: “N—as ain’t really on the type of sh– I’m on/ I called Drizzy and y’all booed him last time.”
But nothing could rain on festivalgoers’ parade this time around. Their excitement surrounding the first post-pandemic Flog Gnaw felt reminiscent of kids getting hyped about the county fair returning every summer — except this one was long overdue.
By nightfall, the rainbow-colored lights that outlined the amusement rides, like the yo-yo and tilt-a-whirl, bled into the twinkling L.A. city skyline. It was the perfect backdrop for hometown hero Tyler to bring his old Odd Future buddies like Syd, Earl Sweatshirt, Mike G and Left Brain; budding stars like Teezo Touchdown, Ice Spice, PinkPantheress and d4vd; and cult heroes like Turnstile and Clipse together at his personal playground. When fans weren’t busy screaming for their favorite artists, they were screaming on the rides, playing games like ring toss and balloon darts and snacking on candy apples, corn dogs and funnel cakes.
“We started this in a f–king parking lot,” Tyler interjected during his set. “Don’t let anybody tell you how you should feel about your motherf–king self.”
Check out Billboard‘s performance photos and artist portraits from Camp Flog Gnaw 2023.
