Cover Photo by McKenzie Patterson
Alternative indie-hip hop artist Duckwrth ignited the crowd at this year’s Sun God Music Festival. The Los Angeles native is gearing up to launch The All American Freak Show Tour, in support of his latest album All American F⭐️ckboy. Bringing the project to life on the Sun God stage, eager students vibrated with excitement ahead of his set. Duckwrth’s distinctive blend of genre-blurring rap and lyrical vocals first drew widespread attention when his song with Shaboozey, “Start a Riot,” appeared in the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Since then, his career has continued to gain momentum, leading to the release of his debut major-label album, SuperGood, under Republic Records in 2020. Now, as he readies himself for a four-month tour across North America, the UK, and Europe, Duckwrth offered a high-octane preview of what’s to come with his dynamic Sun God performance.
Starting his performance on a strained note, Duckwrth had to push through early technical hiccups before hitting his stride. Dressed in a festive blue leather jumpsuit adorned with silver hoops, patches, and a bold star plastered across the back, he looked every bit the rockstar. His groovy knees and eye-catching, David Bowie-esque makeup completed the look. He opened his set with slower, more subdued tracks, gradually drawing the crowd into his sound. Though his early songs revealed a modest but sufficient vocal range, Duckwrth kept the momentum alive by weaving in fan favorites throughout the set, keeping the audience both engaged and energized.
Partway through his set, Duckwrth delved into his R&B tracks, and the crowd geared up for the upbeat shift. Before transitioning into his more “wild shit,” Duckwrth made a quick wardrobe change, stripping off his jumpsuit to reveal a tank top, which sent the crowd into a frenzy. As he teased the next song, Duckwrth paused for a moment to acknowledge the subdued energy in the crowd. He decided to skip ahead and give the people what they wanted: more upbeat tunes. However, this shift only highlighted the ongoing sound issues, as the band’s mics weren’t working properly. With clear frustration, Duckwrth was forced to default to a backing track. After making it through “Hurricane J.I.M.,” he announced that the sound was finally fixed and happily played it again, much to the audience’s delight. Even amidst the chaos, Duckwrth’s magnetic stage presence and infectious energy never wavered. His set ended abruptly after the second performance of “Hurricane J.I.M.,” leaving some lingering frustration over the tech issues, but still showcasing Duckwrth’s undeniable charisma and ability to command a stage. If this Sun God set was any preview, his upcoming All American Freak Show Tour is bound to be just as electric, hopefully with fewer tech issues.
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