How did Donald Glover prep for final Childish Gambino show in KC? Trying ‘Da Bomb’ wings
Donald Glover, also known by his stage name Childish Gambino, hasn’t performed in Kansas City in 10 years. That dry spell ends soon for local fans, with the added bonus that Glover recently had a taste of KC that changed his life.
On “Hot Ones,” the YouTube talk show series where celebrities are interviewed while eating chicken wings with hot sauces, Glover had a wing slathered in “Da Bomb,” the sauce made by Kansas City-based Spicin Foods.
“Damn. I don’t like that,” he said after taking his first bite.
As the heat grew, he started talking about the hallucinations the saucy wing brought on.
“Now the coyote’s like ‘Yeah, how is it? Face your fear’,’ Glover said. “He has one eye now and has the Thanos glove and woah, I am seeing things.”
The rest of the interview was spent recovering from “Da Bomb,” even as he ate two sauces that were ranked much hotter.
He said “Da Bomb” changed his life and he’s hoping to bring the heat for his upcoming show at T-Mobile Center Monday.
“We did the first (rehearsal) yesterday and I was like, ‘Oh, this is a good show,” he said. “I’d put it in the top three shows, if not the No. 1 show.”
The 40-year-old comedian-turned-rapper-turned-actor-turned-producer comes to Kansas City Monday for the last time under his Childish Gambino stage name. In previous interviews, Glover said it’s time to retire the moniker as he undertakes new projects, including leading his production company, Gilga.
Glover’s preparation for the 55-stop world tour has changed. Gone are the days of waking up, taking a shot of Jameson, performing, eating chicken wings, staying up all night partying, falling asleep on the tour bus, and repeating the cycle.
Now, he thinks about maintenance more and enjoys the process. His regimen includes working out after waking up, yoga, eating healthier, taking vocal lessons. It helps that the NBC hit comedy “Community,” where many were exposed to Glover for the first time, is over, as he recalled a few times when he’d go home and pack to hit the road after wrapping up shooting for the show.
He compared himself to another soon-to-be 40-year-old: basketball icon LeBron James. He’s training smarter and preserving his energy for key moments.
“I can’t ‘hardest working man in show business’ my way out of everything anymore’,” he said.
The end of Childish Gambino
The multi-time Emmy and Grammy award-winner said he feels great ending the Childish Gambino persona, because he loves endings. They give you closure, understanding and he said he loves being able to articulate and process what’s coming to an end.
His new album, “Bando Stone & the New World,” continues the theme of endings, telling the story of the end of world as songs on the hour-long record bounce between genres. Glover draws inspiration from 90s alt-rock on “Lithonia,” while on “Running Around,” listeners are reminded of the pop-punk songs you’d hear from Willow, who joins Glover on the tour for the United States portion of this tour.
While it’s end of Childish Gambino, Glover said he definitely wants to continue making music and that there’s a chance he’ll go back on tour again.
He didn’t share what the production will look or what songs concertgoers can expect, but he said he’ll be diving through from all of his album releases, including fan favorite “Because The Internet,” and award-winning “Awaken, My Love!” A lot of the technology fans will see on the tour has never been used before, and it came out of his bank account.
“You give the fans as much as you can and hopefully, they’re able to receive it and have a good time,” he said. “I’m very excited to see the reaction to it because it’s quite honestly, a very special thing.”
“Very sweet people in Kansas City”
Upon learning “Da Bomb” was made in the Kansas City area in a 20-minute interview with The Star, Glover immediately questioned the sanity of Kansas Citians.
“What are you guys on?” he said. “(The heat) just doesn’t go away for a long time and that’s what’s kind of crazy about it. I can’t believe that someone made that.”
It’s been over a decade since he last stepped foot in Kansas City, but like many who visit, he remembers “very sweet people” and good barbecue.
Glover and his team made it a point to include stops on this tour that they haven’t been to in a while like Kansas City, or markets they’ve never played before like Oklahoma City, where he’ll play on the tour’s first stop Sunday.
He doesn’t take for granted that people are spending money to watch him perform, and his team tried to make ticket prices as affordable as possible. In the “Hot Ones” interview, Glover said if you didn’t like the show after the first song, you can leave and ask for a refund and he’ll honor it.
“None of this is a check to me. I’m doing this because it’s fun and it’s the last time I can pull this off,” Glover said. “I’m doing this for (the fans). If you’re a fan or you just want to see something cool in the city for the day, this is why I’m doing it. I’m doing it because it’s fun.”
What will he do in Kansas City while he’s in town? Barbecue is on the list, as is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
How much are tickets?
Tickets are available on AXS’s website. Prices range from $39.50 to $159.50 for seats and $159.50 for general admission pit tickets. Prices are before fees.
Ticketmaster is not the primary provider of tickets for the show, but they have resale tickets available, starting at $66 before fees.
Here’s how the lowest ticket prices compare on resale sites as of Saturday:
- SeatGeek: $91 before fees
- StubHub: $67 before fees
- Tickets For Less: $135 with no fees
- Vivid Seats: $93 before fees
When does T-Mobile Center open?
T-Mobile Center’s website says the doors open at 6:30 p.m. for members of the Founders Club or visitors who have premium plus or VIP ticket access. Visitors who have T-Mobile as a cellphone provider and signed for the service’s Club Magenta pass can enter at 6:45 p.m.
All doors open at 7 p.m. Guests who have VIP and general admission tickets can line up to enter starting at 11 a.m. Friday.
If your cellphone provider is T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile or MINT, you can enter through the expedited T-Mobile gate on Grand Boulevard when all doors open.
Alternative singer Willow takes the stage at 8 p.m., and Glover’s performance begins at around 9:15 p.m.
The venue is cashless, so you can only buy concert merchandise with credit and debit cards or contactless payment methods, like Apple Pay.
What can and can’t I bring to T-Mobile Center?
T-Mobile Center does not have a clear bag policy, but the venue encourages fans to pack lightly when attending. Your bag should not be larger than 12” by 6” by 12”. Don’t bring backpacks or chain wallets.
These other items are not allowed inside:
Artificial noisemakers
Beach balls and balloons
Cameras with detachable lenses
Coolers and containers
Laptop and tablet computers
Outside food and beverages
Pocket knives
Selfie sticks
Spurs
Umbrellas with spike-like points
Any type of weapon, fake weapon or object resembling a weapon
Where can I park in downtown Kansas City?
Downtown Kansas City has plenty of parking available near T-Mobile Center. The arena offers on-site parking in the red lot at 12th and Oak streets and the yellow lot at 13th Street and Grand Boulevard, which is the KC Live! garage.
You will have to purchase passes to these lots in advance online. Both lots cost $20 before online fees. Event parking opens three hours before the concert.
Other than those, there are over 40,000 parking spaces in the downtown area. Many are paid lots, and you can find free street parking. You can also park farther away and take the free KC Streetcar to the stop 14th and Main streets, the closest to T-Mobile Center.
Where can I be dropped off and picked up for the concert?
Grand Boulevard and Oak Street in front of T-Mobile Center will be blocked off for the concert.
If you’re being dropped off by a family, friend, Uber or Lyft, they can take you as close to the 13th and Oak Street entrance as possible. They may also drop you off on streets that aren’t blocked off in the Power & Light District or farther away if walking isn’t an issue.
The same is true for picking up concertgoers after the show. Communicate with your driver so they can find you once the show’s over.
This story was originally published August 10, 2024 at 3:18 PM.
