Verdict: 3 stars
Azealia Banks is known for pushing the limit but drew the line at flashing a Union Jack to a Glasgow crowd.
The celebrity often makes headlines with her controversial statements and lack of sensitivity, but last night made the rare choice to play it safe.
While performing her “Back To The Union Jack” UK tour at the O2 Academy, she swapped her usual British flag backdrop for a Saltire, and left her red white and blue corset in her dressing room.
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Instead she wore metallic eyeshadow with blue knee high boots and a baker hat, a stark difference from her London show which saw her appear on stage with a royal cape, crown, and UK flag on her chest.
She didn't speak to the audience so it is unclear if she made the changes to avoid offending anyone in the crowd, or if she was just showing her love for Scotland.
The 33-year-old American rapper didn’t come on stage until just after 10, more than an hour late, forcing her to put on a condensed show that lasted around 45 minutes.
The crowd had started to get restless with some giving up and leaving before she came out, but for those left it seemed all was forgiven when the lights went down and she kicked the performance off with Luxury.
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She had a bare bones production with just a projector backdrop and DJ accompanying her, but this doesn’t lose her points as it proved she doesn’t need anything else as she still dominated the audience and kept the energy high.
Azealia blasted through her hits with stand out songs being Heavy Metal and Reflective, new bottega, and her closing number which was the iconic track 212.
Azealia Banks performing 212 tonight in Glasgow! ✨🏴 pic.twitter.com/TPguFSZlZT
— Azealia Banks Media 🧜🏾♀️ (@Azealia_Media) September 18, 2024
The energy was intense as the venue shook after fans leapt into the air and tried to keep up with the rapper.
It feels harsh to award her just three stars since her actual performance was good, but showing up more than an hour late without an apology or even hello to the crowd makes it hard to give more.
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However, hardcore fans didn’t seem to mind the delays or lack of crowd interaction, with some branding it “the best 45 minutes of their life”.
Azealia Banks starting at 10pm (doors opened 7pm), singing 40 mins worth of songs and then leaving. Iconic, best night of my life, no notes. @CHEAPYXOMIAMI pic.twitter.com/vaau6N5rN3
— darren mccarroll (@darrenmc2302) September 18, 2024
Between her time keeping and controversial takes on social media, it feels like she can get away with anything - and yet she still didn’t dare chance showing a British flag to Glaswegian fans on her Union Jack themed tour.
The last time she played in the city was almost exactly 10 years ago to the day, just three days before the referendum.
Even though she is known for being involved in conflict, maybe she remembered the tense division and decided taking on angry Glaswegians was too far - even for her.
Really really buzzing to see azealia tonight but I can't imagine this whole setup is gonny be received well in ggow :)))) pic.twitter.com/e8PEdMTy1r
— lyndsay (@LANSiiii) September 18, 2024
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