Childish Gambino transcends Lollapalooza with his exhibitionist art

Though Lollapalooza was slow to sell out this year, perhaps the temptation of Childish Gambino was enough to put it over edge as the bulk of the estimated 100,000 people in attendance seemed to be front and center for the rapper-actor-comedian-writer.

Donald Glover, who raps as Childish Gambino, has been top of mind lately — most recently as part of the Disney “Lion King” release and also for a left-turn Chris Gaines/Garth Brooks cover.

Glover began his set with the powerful track “Atavista,” standing among the throngs of people in a makeshift tower in the middle of the crowd as a single spotlight put him in dramatic silhouette. Part theater, part concert, part experiential adventure, the performance was pure exhibitionist art that almost felt too above this arena.

Glover remained shirtless throughout the night, his heavy beard adding even more visual raw humanistic appeal as he ripped through some of his biggest hits like the controversial societal comeuppance “This Is America” and the sensual serenade “Feels Like Summer.” He also offered new material with a crowd-pleasing performance of “Human Sacrifice.”

When Glover wasn’t running through the security chute taking “Ellen at the Oscars”-style selfies with the crowd, fireworks were going off, all while his excellent backing band was delivering Zappa/Parliament-Funkadelic vibes and a backing choir sounded like angels in the flesh. “This will be some church s—-,” Glover cautioned early in his set, encouraging fans to put away their phones and be part of the experience: “If you just came here to do your favorite song go home and do that.”

Whether it’s true or not Glover may hang up his Childish Gambino alter ego in the future for other projects, one can only hope there’s more in the future. America needs it.