Photos by Dan DeSlover

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Just over 24 hours after dropping his new STN MTN/Kauai mixtape, Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) took the Honda Stage on day one of Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Despite the newly released material, Gambino stuck to mostly familiar cuts as the enthusiastic crowd chanted and sang along.

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Austin City Limits Day 1 Photos

Now, here’s the thing. This crowd was ridiculous. I practically risked my life trying to worm my way within 100 feet of the stage. I’m pretty sure I contracted diseases. A girl vomited and was immediately accused of having ebola.

But this same crowd immediately flipped a switch and was perfectly in sync with the actor-rapper as soon as he roared on to the stage. And while he no doubt delivered an epic performance at ACL two years prior, this was a much more confident Gambino than that of 2012.

In fact, that confidence has been on display all summer long, but in Austin, it was particularly striking because in so many ways, Gambino stood out amongst the lineup. Sure, Beck was glorious two hours later; and most of the Gambino audience stuck around eagerly waiting for OutKast to close the night. But the “3005” MC captured his fans’ attention in a way many of peers simply cannot do.

Miss Gambino’s set? Take a look below at some of the photos from Friday night. Click here for additional pictures of Beck, St. Vincent, Bleachers, Sam Smith, CHVRCHES and more.

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