On Saturday, September 14th, American rapper Azealia Banks made her long-awaited return to the UK with her second consecutive sold-out show at the iconic O2 Brixton Academy. It had been four years since her last visit in 2019, and the anticipation among her fans was palpable. XS NOIZE was on hand to capture the magic of what can only be described as a triumphant homecoming for Banks.
Warming up the crowd, DJ GBE spun a series of hip-hop and rap bangers that had the audience hyped well before the main act. When the lights finally dimmed for Azealia’s entrance, she commanded the stage, slowly emerging cloaked in a regal mantle, exuding pure royalty. With a dramatic flourish, she shed the mantle, revealing a striking Union Jack corset. The crowd’s roar of approval was deafening, their energy practically shaking the venue’s walls. Accompanied only by her DJ and a giant backdrop screen, Banks needed no elaborate set-up to ignite the night — her presence alone was more than enough.
The opening “Luxury” track set the tone as fans immediately broke into dance and song. Azealia’s audience, impeccably dressed in cutting-edge, fashion-forward looks, could easily have been mistaken for a crowd at a runway show — fitting, considering the rapper’s reputation for bold, fearless style. Before each track, Banks often teased the audience by singing a cappella, giving a raw, intimate glimpse of her vocal prowess. As the beats of crowd favourites like “Liquorice,” “1991,” and “The Big Big Beat” dropped, the intensity in the room surged. The entire venue — from the floor to the balcony — bounced, vibrations reverberating through every corner of Brixton Academy.
The mid-set highlight came when fans formed their mini-dance-off during “Heavy Metal and Reflective,” with some attendees delivering full-fledged performances in the middle of the floor. In tune with her audience, Banks fed off their energy, frequently pausing to compliment the crowd’s outfits and moves. Her genuine joy at being back in London was unmistakable, and the connection she forged with her fans elevated the entire night.
The final stretch of the set was nothing short of a dance marathon. “Yung Rapunxel,” with its wild, untamed beat, whipped the crowd into a frenzy, while “Anna Wintour” showed off Banks’ skilful balance between rapping and singing, an artistry that has set her apart in the industry. But the night’s closing anthem, the viral sensation “212,” sealed the deal. The crowd’s sing-along was thunderous, every word chanted back with uncontainable enthusiasm. This song, forever tied to Banks’ rise to fame, remains her undisputed signature, and it was the perfect capstone to an unforgettable night.
Even as the lights came back on and Azealia left the stage, the buzz in the air was tangible. Two sold-out shows in London proved that Banks’ fanbase in the UK is as loyal and fervent as ever. Her energy, charisma, and undeniable talent made for a night that will be remembered for years. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait another four years for her return.
Azealia Banks setlist in London, 14th of September:
Luxury
F*ck Him All Night
new bottega
Fierce
Van Vogue
Liquorice
1991
The Big Big Beat
Treasure Island
Heavy Metal and Reflective
Ice Princess
Can’t Do It Like Me
Pyrex Princess (Cut short)
Jumanji
Yung Rapunxel
Anna Wintour
212
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