tUnE-yArDs

As Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) and THEESatisfaction watched on, Merrill Garbus arrived late but in good spirits with a pair of saxophonists and a bassist. Bouncing out after a celebratory cheer with her band and the sound crew in the wings, her heartwarming smile with trademark face paint beamed out across the swarms of festivalgoers. Garbus sparkled on stage as she channelled her genuine enthusiasm into lo-fi looping and African rhythms that evolved into messy, poppy mayhem. Her awkward-awesome presence oozed good vibes, like an eccentric kindergarten teacher bursting at the seams with love for her kids, but as her raucously received "Gangsta" proved, one unafraid to tell you when you're fucking up.