Back
(★ + ✰)

THE HILLBILLIES - Camp Flog Gnaw (2023)

I don't know how I've gone this long without seeing Kendrick or Keem. I was supposed to photograph one of their shows back in Vancouver in 2022...

Events
Events
THE HILLBILLIES - Camp Flog Gnaw (2023)
AMBIVALENCE

AMBIVALENCE

Date
December 3, 2023
Read
6 mins
Share
ETHEREAL.PRESS is an independent media publication - if you like our content consider Bringing us to Your Event, or Sponsoring an Article!
This post is sponsored by
NOBODY

After rushing back to the mainstage from Clipse, it was obvious to me that I had lost my spot to photograph the concert. The way Camp Flog Gnaw was set up was that there was nobody else performing while Kendrick Lamar + Baby Keem were on - meaning massive crowds. 

During Tyler the Creator's set, I was in the crowd pretty close up, snapping away with a telephoto lens, but even with a 600mm lens, I wasn't able to capture the Hillbillies. I knew it was over when The Hillbillies started the set bumping, 'family ties.' I'd never been in such a massive sea of people all jumping around together, it was something remarkable to experience (view below). 

I did what any sensible person would do in that situation and enjoyed the show.

I don't know how I've gone this long without seeing Kendrick or Keem. I was supposed to photograph one of their shows back in Vancouver in 2022 (when I was there for The Weeknd), though sadly, I could only afford to stay there for a few days. Lebron James even showed up to the concert in Vancouver in quite a strange turn of events.

There were two stand-out moments to this set; the first highlight for me was the performance of the track, 'The Hillbillies.' The track's visuals were shot at Dodgers Stadium (Flog Gnaw's Location) and acted as a teaser for what was to come, even before the festival announcement. Tyler the Creator even made a cameo in the music video months ago. Kendrick & Keem had never performed the song live until tonight.

Another stand-out moment was The Hillbillies incorporating several beat switches while alternating through their hits. These beats were rock-infused and varying from their studio originals, which added a lot of variation to the set. 

I spent so much time listening to good kid, M.A.A.d city growing up and seeing tracks like 'Backseat Freestyle' and 'Money Trees' live was something special. On the flip side, aside from his hits, I haven't dove into the works of Baby Keem. I really enjoyed 'HONEST' and 'Orange Soda,' and I need to make an effort to dive into his deeper cuts. 

I tried to leave the grounds a little early to beat traffic but kept getting pulled back to watch more of the set. There was a small hill I had to climb, and when the songs changed, I would stop, watch a bit, walk a bit, and repeat the cycle over and over again. 

I ended up leaving at the end of the set...

Seeing the crowd from an elevated perspective with that many people jumping at once was a spiritual experience. Saying this soberly, it looked like some sacred geometry or unspoken law of the universe. It's like looking at the organization of an ant hill, a flock of birds flying together, or the movement of water flowing in the ocean.

Really, what else is there to say? I saw two legends perform on one of the largest stages, at one of the most hyped festivals of 2023, and they killed it.

Latest Posts

August 22, 2024
Live
Live
ETRAN DE L'AIR - Live

"The name Etran de L’Aïr translates to “the Stars of the Aïr,” the mountainous region of Northern Niger."

August 20, 2024
Events
Events
DENZEL CURRY [V2] - Grey Day

This week I had the privilege this week to share the stage with Denzel Curry, arguably one of the most exciting figures in rap music...

August 16, 2024
Interviews
Interviews
El Perro Del Mar - Interview

El Perro del Mar is merely an extension of me that enables me to do and say the things which I find hard to express in daily life. I’ve been using the name since 2004 when I came across a stray dog on a Spanish beach...

RANDOM

October 27, 2023
Interviews
Interviews
KNOCK2 - Interview

My biggest inspiration definitely comes from my friendships and the people I surround myself with...

November 4, 2023
Events
Events
JOJI - Pandemonium Tour

After dropping the heartfelt track, 'Slow Dancing in The Dark,' it was apparent to myself and many others just how talented Joji was as an artist...

November 29, 2023
Interviews
Interviews
MJ NEBREDA - Interview

It's almost like a radio you turn on. Maybe in 2015, it sounded very different, and I'm sure in 2025, it will sound very different as well...

October 18, 2023
Events
Events
KENNY BEATS - Pandemonium Tour

I want to strongly discern that Kenny is not only a skilled multi-disciplinary musician, but someone I see as a generational talent...

December 3, 2023
Events
Events
THE HILLBILLIES - Camp Flog Gnaw (2023)

I don't know how I've gone this long without seeing Kendrick or Keem. I was supposed to photograph one of their shows back in Vancouver in 2022...

S3RL - Interview

I’ve been lucky that I’ve always had more ideas for music than time to produce them all, so in the beginning, it was easy. I was releasing 15-20 tracks a year, and labels were eating them up...

AMBIVALENCE
ASTRXL AWARDS
UNIVERSAL EXPRESSIONS
ETHEREAL.PRESS
DJ ETHEREAL