Childish Gambino Integrates Technology with His Deep Web Tour
As the world has become a more Internet-savvy and social media-driven society, actor/comedian Donald Glover also known under his rap moniker, Childish Gambino, has infused digital technology into his electrifying nationwide Deep Web Tour. Not only is he known for his role on NBC’s hit show, Community, but also a hip-hop artist with verses and flow who can sing in a sweet falsetto.
“And if I married you tonight it would probably start a riot in Oakland,” is a popular lyric from Childish Gambino’s “Telegraph Ave (Oakland)” track from his latest album properly titled, Because the Internet. Many patrons were hoping there would not be a riot on May 6th at the Fox Theater, since this show was the second round of his originally scheduled performance in February. Oakland’s Fox Theater was initially Gambino’s first stop on his Deep Web Tour. However, due to technical difficulties, fans were left disappointed as they waited in line for hours, just to be informed the show was rescheduled for a later date. Fortunately, two months later, fans were even more anxious and enthused to catch Gambino’s live show, making the wait worth their while.
Bay Area fans took to their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages all day prior to the show to display their excitement for the Deep Web Tour.
Before the venue opened its doors for the show, the sold-out crowd lined up wrapped around four street blocks, some bringing in posters, others rocking Gambino paraphernalia, and a few who raised some eyebrows as they were dressed up just like the star himself.
As fans got settled into the venue, chants raved throughout the room shouting “Bino” and “world star.” Gambino didn’t have any set featured opening acts, however he had a DJ spin some classic hits ranging from Bell Biv Devoe’s “Poison,” to Drake’s “Worst Behavior,” to the Bay’s own Too Short ensuring an engaged crowd. Also to start the show, a video screen displayed on the back of the stage in which fans could utilize Gambino’s official Deep Web App. Through this tour app, fans were able to send chat messages and draw pictures to display on the video screen. People posted phrases like “3005,” “The show is cancelled again,” and “Bring out Jhene Aiko.” This also gave Gambino the chance to communicate with his fans, apologizing for making them wait so long for the rescheduled show and informing them that the show will be filmed.
After the DJ finished his set, an earsplitting Internet dial-up tone triggered throughout the theater, progressing into continuous beeping sounds that formerly signified a user connecting to AOL. As the sounds lingered, the crowd got more excited but also a little restless. On the backdrop video screen, old-school computer visuals displayed across the screen including connection activity and web loading bars. Soon Gambino casually walked out on stage in his usual comfortable attire with his full band. Gambino sat at the piano to play his brief interlude, “Playing Around Before the Party Starts,” until he started his set with songs from Because the Internet. Cheers from the crowd swarmed as Gambino got the crowd hyperactive to songs like “Crawl” and “Worldstar.”
When the beat dropped to his song “The Worst Guys,” he quickly told the crowd, “This song is about sex.” As the backdrop showed silhouette images of a threesome, most girls in the crowd were anxious to see Gambino move to this song across the stage. He then went on to perform other singles such as, “Shadows” and “Sweatpants.”
The show then took a change in mood once another sheer video screen came into the front of stage. Gambino stood behind the screen as he performed his ballads, “Flight of the Navigator” and “Zealots of Stockholm.” The screen displayed visuals of falling raindrops with a blue light shining across Gambino and his band. The ballads from the album provided the audience a more sensitive emotion to sing along with. To keep with the technology theme, a poll also showed up on the screen for fans to use the app and give feedback about how the show made them feel.
He then went on to perform songs like “3005,” “Pink Toes” and of course the song that every Bay Area fan adores, “Telegraph Ave.” Once the band played the Oakland-inspired song, the majority of fans held their phones out to capture Gambino singing the track. It’s a song so dear to Bay Area fans because he sings about the city of Oakland, and it’s also fitting that Telegraph Avenue is where the Fox Theater is located.
Childish Gambino – Deep Web Tour
After performing “Earth: The Oldest Computer (The Last Night),” he exited the stage, but fans knew it wasn’t the end of the show. He then came back out on stage for an encore to perform songs from his mixtape days including, “So Fly” and “Do Ya Like.” He also blended in tracks from his debut album Camp, including “Heartbeat,” “All The Shine,” and “Bonfire.”
He left the stage again and came back out for his final encore. This time around, he started freestyling over some smooth hip-hop beats. Spitting rhymes about Oakland, women, and the Golden State Warriors own Stephen Curry. He then went on telling the audience why he likes Oakland so much, “This is my home away from home. And you guys have the prettiest girls. Hands down!” instantly winning over the female audience.
The show came to an end and fans made sure they posted all their best Deep Web Tour pictures to their Instagram pages and left with Gambino’s Snapchat username. Gambino took this tour to a higher level, engaging with the fans through technology and proving how the Internet has changed our everyday lives. The combination of his artistry and creativity show how music and technology continue to marry in our culture.
