Earl Sweatshirt kicked off this summer's series of vitaminwater and The FADER #uncapped performances last night in New York, transforming Ludlow Autobody Shop, an unassuming downtown garage, into a brilliant performance space. An intimate, admiring crowd that included producer Clams Casino and Girls actress Zosia Mamet amassed at sunset. Perspiring in insane city humidity, they were greeted by buckets of ice-chilled vitaminwater and a country-crossing DJ set from hometown favorite Venus X, who fired off Migos' "Hannah Montana" and Katie Got Bandz' "Y U Mad."
Returning #uncapped host Miss Info came out for a welcome toast before Earl Sweatshirt appeared, backed by DJ Syd tha Kyd. He launched into a set of new songs from his upcoming album, Doris, opening with "Centurion." He continued with "Burgundy," the song he later called one of his favorites from the album. After running through introspective single "Chum" and raucous "Whoa." Earl dropped back to 2010's Radical mixtape for "Drop" and "Blade," then called on skillful LA emcee Vince Staples, who appeared onstage to rap his verse on "Hive." Watch the two ended that song, for which a video was released last night, above. They ended that song with a high five, before Earl granted the wish of one insistent front-row fan, letting the kid beat box into his mic while Earl popped a goof-off freestyle.
The show wrapped up with oldie-but-great "Earl," and after the show, he and Miss Info talked exploded hard drives, creative bursts and Earl's favorite Jay-Z song. Stay tuned for their full conversation, coming next Monday. See photos of the party below, and for interviews and performances from all of this (and past) year's #uncapped events, check out the vitaminwater YouTube channel.
#uncapped is making Monday nights all summer long less boring with surprise performances in traditionally mundane venues. For chances to win tickets and up-to-the-minute location reveals, follow vitaminwater and FADER on Twitter.
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