Childish Gambino - Photo credit: Greg Noire

Childish Gambino at United Center in Chicago - Photo credit: Greg Noire

Saturday September 8th brought Donald Glover, a.k.a Childish Gambino, into town on the This is America tour with hip hop brother duo, Rae Sremmurd as openers. The brothers, Swae Lee and Bobo Swae got the crowd primed and ready for the full experience Gambino was prepared to unleash later in the evening.  

Childish Gambino performs his intro and then shares with the audience that this is his last tour under the Gambino moniker and proclaimed, “This is a MOMENT. If you’re here to hear your favorite song, you should go home right now and do that. I’m here to have an experience with you. This is not a concert.This is Church.”  An experience it truly was. The musical journey we embarked on featured a  live backing band, choir, dancers, an epic light show, and even Donald leaving the arena entirely, circling out in the common area of United Center and coming back in on the second tier to perform directly in the crowd before taking the stage again. Childish Gambino urged the fans several times to put their phones away and be present in the moment, which I think is why they didn’t give out press photo access for the tour either. Gambino shared with us his deep sadness over the loss of long time friend Mac Miller the day before, dedicating the song, “Riot” to him. Glover saved “This is America” for last, and it felt like it deeply resonated with everyone present. The racial disparity and divide in our country needs to be addressed and that’s exactly what This is America is about.

While Donald may be ending Childish Gambino, he has released new music, and hinted at working on new projects. I can’t wait to see what Donald Glover has for us waiting in the wings.  Until then, you can catch him on the rest of the This is America tour, or his hit tv show, Atlanta. For more information: www.childishgambino.com

Childish Gambino full setlist:

Algorythm

Summertime Magic

1. The Worst Guys
2. Worldstar

Late Night in Kauai

Stand Tall

(First half only; in lower bowl)

Boogieman

(“Me and Your Mama” intro and “Unnecessary” lyrics)

Riot

(Dedicated to Mac Miller)

Have Some Love

Terrified

Feels Like Summer

Spirits

This Is America

Encore:

Sober

1. 3005
2. Sweatpants

Redbone