Camp Flog Gnaw’s spirit is stronger than ever.

Camp Flog Gnaw returned to Dodger Stadium on Saturday for its 11th year. After being rescheduled due to weather concerns, Tyler, The Creator’s annual music festival faced some last-minute modifications but managed to shine bright with a new but iconic lineup. With clear skies, festivalgoers enjoyed a well-balanced mix of mellow and energetic performances.

Continue reading for the Daily Bruin’s coverage of day one of Camp Flog Gnaw 2025.

PARTYOF2

PARTYOF2 elevated their debut Camp Flog Gnaw performance into a festival-wide party, stretching far beyond the hip-hop duo’s name.

The duo started their 35-minute set with a voice recording, initiating the audience into “AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!”, which doubled as the concept for their performance and the title of the duo’s debut album. Following the introduction, PARTYOF2 members SWIM and Jadagrace took to the stage and opened with their single “we owe you an explanation.” The duo faced a minor setback when their microphones failed, which only set the stage for a major comeback and an outstanding performance for the rest of the set.

Supported by backup dancers and a live band, the duo continued to perform hits from their album “AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!” such as “FEEL LOVE,” where Jadagrace graced the Camp stage with her ethereal vocals, and “VANESSA WILLIAMS,” which allowed SWIM to showcase his dexterous flow. Both members of the duo shone during their performance of “FRIENDLY FIRE,” a diss-track style record where SWIM and Jadagrace took turns throwing shade at one another through their shared lyrical genius. Some audience members held signs reading “Team SWIM” and others “Team Jada.” This interactive performance led to one of the loudest moments throughout the set.

After the set ended, everyone left a full-fledged PARTYOF2 fan and attendee of AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!

[Related: Camp Flog Gnaw returns to LA with variety of captivating performances]

Kali Uchis

With every detail perfectly curated, Kali Uchis enchanted the Camp Flog Gnaw crowd.

Starting her set at exactly 6:05 pm, Uchis opened her performance with a recorded spoken intro, setting an ethereal mood present throughout the hour-long set. Wearing a two-piece sparkly gray dress, the singer opened with “Sugar! Honey! Love!”, a track from her latest album, “Sincerely,”. Following five tracks from the new record, Uchis later jumped into her older work, performing songs such as “Muñekita,” “Speed” and her collaboration with Tyler, The Creator, “See You Again,” disappointingly without the rapper, whose set followed Uchis’.

Whether audience members stood at the barricade or the back of the floor, Uchis engaged with them all, going back and forth between singing to those up close and to the camera for those further back. Including multiple dance breaks, as well as props – from a bed to a motorcycle – the singer’s set was more than a simple performance – it was a production. During her time at the Camp stage, Uchis also took the opportunity to address the current immigration situation in the country, playing a video describing the Latino experience, narrated by the Colombian American singer: “We are strong. We are hard-working. We are kind. We are much more than the established stereotypes.” By the end of the set, the singer performed her breakthrough song “telepatía” and her 2023 single “Moonlight,” making it one of the loudest moments of the night.

Taking listeners on a ride, there is no doubt Kali Uchis’ stage presence will always be “shining through the clouds.”

Tyler, The Creator

Camp Flog Gnaw’s creator pulled out all the stops Saturday night.

Tyler, The Creator delivered an electric hour-long set, performing on an LA-metro-themed set full of graffiti and complete with a subway car setup. The rapper opened with big hits “Big Poe” and “Sugar On My Tongue” from his latest album, “DON’T TAP THE GLASS,” before transitioning into other iconic songs from “CHROMAKOPIA,” “IGOR” and “Flower Boy.” The hip-hop artist also pushed his production to the next level with fake stage glitches as an intro for “EARFQUAKE” and a music video-esque storyline in “Ring Ring Ring,” where Tyler, The Creator pleaded with a woman around his subway set to pick up his phone call.

Despite delays in the festival, Tyler, The Creator expertly navigated his performance, engaging the crowd by calling for everyone to dance throughout the entire set, embodying the true spirit of “DON’T TAP THE GLASS.” He also showed his appreciation for his Camp Flog Gnaw crowd and their willingness to attend the festival a week later than anticipated. To end the show, Tyler, The Creator performed a lively version of “I’ll Take Care of You” that surely got the entire crowd on their feet.

With a dance-filled, high-energy performance, Tyler, The Creator ensured that fans would want to come back “Tomorrow.”

[Related: Camp Flog Gnaw wraps up its weekend with first-time performers, festival favorites]

Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino returned from his hiatus with a bang.

Actor and musician Donald Glover performed at Camp Flog Gnaw after a break since canceling his last tour due to physical health reasons. With a live band and a spectacular laser show, Glover performed a variety of his greatest hits over the last several years. Opening with “Survive” and “I.Crawl,” Glover started off his show in high spirits and kept the energy flowing the entire time. He then transitioned into his “Where Have I Been” monologue, where he explained the reasons for his hiatus alongside a drone show in the air to the right of the stage. Glover showed his more vulnerable side with the monologue, highlighting his renewed passion for life after his health issues in the last year.

Glover later brought out acclaimed composer Ludwig Göransson for a cover of “Prototype” by OutKast, with Göransson accompanying Glover’s vocals with wicked guitar riffs. However, despite his high energy and strong crowd interaction, Glover consistently cut crowd-favorite songs short, citing the little time left in his set each time he switched songs after just a verse and chorus. Regardless, Glover managed to keep the crowd engaged throughout the entire set.

Childish Gambino made sure that all the “Freaks And Geeks” in the crowd had a wonderful end to their night.