FLOG GNAW 2023: A review on two artists who aren’t Kendrick Lamar (4.0/5.0)
Located in hipster paradise Dodger Stadium the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival took place in early November 2023. The two-day event included rides, food vendors, growth stunting levels of nicotine consumption, a puzzlingly hot to cold micro-climate, and crippled dreams of seeing Frank Ocean… we’re SO back.
Let’s lock in on the music. That’s why we go to festivals right? The star-studded lineup included SZA, The Hillbillies, Dominic Fike, Ice Spice, *cough* Rex Orange County and so many more of your 16-year-old, elf-bar-smoking, cousin’s favorite artists. The sets were divided into three stages with performances from ~1:30-10:00 PM. The sets were timed tightly, allowing the attendees to stampede directly from one act to another if desired.
My attendance was mandatory. I’m a transplant and a serious music critic. Flog Gnaw also gave me a perfect excuse to tell girls that I ride my bike to things when it makes more sense to Uber.
This article intends to highlight two sets from Saturday and Sunday that didn’t get enough shine. We’ve seen and heard enough about the genius of two phone Baby Keem and his much shorter, nepo cousin, Kendrick Duckworth. I write to illuminate smaller artists. Ones that only have a few million Spotify monthly listeners.
Saturday’s Pick: Teezo Touchdown
Here’s what you missed on the last episode of Teezo Touchdown’s Career: The 31-year-old (who looks 16 but 45 with his shirt off) Teezo Touchdown (Aaron Thomas) recently dropped his debut album “How Do You Sleep At Night?” which received critical acclaim (it is awesome). He toured with both Tyler the Creator and Travis Scott, made waves in fashion with his punk/glam outfits, and received co-signs by artists such as Aubrey Graham, Lil Boat, and Kenny Beats.
Layout: Teezo’s set occurred at the FLOG stage from 4:35-5:05 PM. The ideal time to watch the sun slowly sink below the DTLA skyline. Touchdown was flying solo on a stage that could’ve comfortably fit an entire jazz orchestra (that’s ~20+ people with instruments that no one plays anymore). A DJ was tucked in the corner as well. Fortunately, Teezo’s crowd control and stage presence made up for the vacancy.
Musicianship: Teezo needs a live band! His music lends itself perfectly to a four or five-piece combo…
Mr. Touchdown’s vocal performance was not one to scoff at. His bulletproof flows and shockingly seductive falsetto sounded just as good as the records. An impressive feat for a man wearing football armor and hundreds of construction nails in his hair. The DJ was pretty good too?
Set: was too short. The thirty minutes were electric. Most of the songs were shortened (even halved) which made for an engaging and fast-paced performance. In between bangers he interacted with the crowd, said his thanks to many, and counted to three about seven times in Spanish.
Sound: Festivals can be tricky as far as sound engineering goes. Three stages, one square mile, all blaring loud enough to take a year or two off your hearing. Dodger Stadium is also shaped like a bowl so the sound waves bounce around like a new bombshell on Love Island Australia. This is what we call “minimal sound diffraction” in the biz and a “weird echo” in the common tongue. Far away from the stage, this set would’ve sounded like crap. Luckily, my proximity to the stage meant a lot of subwoofer, and it worked.
Visuals: The middle screen was black. The side screens were either pointed at Touchdown or fans. I wish he did more on this front.
Random Notes: He’ll be headlining in three years or less. Calling it now.
Sunday’s Pick: Toro y Moi
(pronounced toro i: muah)
(translated bull and me)
Here’s what you missed on the last episode of Toro y Moi’s Career: The 37-year-old (aging like Pharell) Toro y Moi (Chazwick Bundick) is a music industry veteran with a diverse repertoire spanning from hip-hop to EDM to psych. His latest drop was “Sandhills” a folk/country EP exploring bittersweet childhood nostalgia (it is terrific). He is also involved in the fashion industry as a frequent collaborator with KEEN. Chaz is an indie-pop icon with over a decade of music to prove it.
Layout: Toro played at the GNAW Stage from 7:25 to 8:10 PM. This stage was isolated from the rest of the festival creating a more intimate experience. A live bassist, a keyboardist, and a DJ on the “1s and 2s” accompanied Chaz (Toro y Moi, Camp Flog Gnaw 2023). All four musicians were huddled in the middle of the stage. I’d imagine the group kept a tight formation for communication purposes.
Musicianship: These cats were cooking. The lock-in between band members was apparent and appreciated. Toro would’ve received bonus points for a live drummer. His DJ friend seemed hella chill so we’ll let this one slide. Chaz paraded around the stage during his tunes, sang excellently, and utilized a tasteful yet potent auto-tune timbre.
Set: was not too short. But I would’ve been down for more. I have to admit I missed the first few songs to see America’s favorite douche, Dominic Fike. Toro’s set was chock-full of dancy-electronic slappers mostly hailing from his 2019 masterpiece “Outer Peace.” He was very cheeky, sweet, and kept the vibes high the whole time. And the crowd DUG it, dancing or at least head nodding. By far the most entranced crowd of the weekend.
Sound: More of the same. Festival Sound is mid but workable. I do rate the chest feel. The kick pierced through my body.
Visuals: 11/10, genius, astounding. The band had prerecorded videos that synced up to each song reminiscent of a visualizer. It was impossible to take your eyes off the stage. The side screens were either of fans or the man himself.
Random Notes: Writing this article has sent me down a gnarly Toro y Moi bender.
Closing Thoughts:
Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival. Should you go? Perhaps. Mostly because I don’t know if I’ll be returning next year. There are great artists for the casual music nerd and the TikTok to Spotify pipeliners alike (you know who you are)*. But these shows come at a cost… Think twice before cashing out hundreds of dollars and crumpling your joints to be part of the ever-expanding Tyler the Creator glaze-fest. Go to Toro. Go to Teezo. Go to a festival if you have the courage of a lion.
*Me