Milkshake Festival, known for its electronic and queer-inclusive vibe in Amsterdam, initially announced that Azealia Banks would be performing at their 2025 event. However, the festival quickly reversed course, removing Azealia Banks from the lineup just two days after the initial announcement. This decision came after significant backlash from fans and the LGBTQ+ community regarding Azealia Banks’ history of offensive remarks.
The festival’s initial announcement on Tuesday (Feb. 4) excitedly declared that Azealia Banks would be “serving C-NT” at the July 2025 festival. However, the comment section of the announcement was immediately filled with concerned voices. Fans urged Milkshake Festival to reconsider, pointing to Azealia Banks’ repeated history of anti-LGBTQ+ statements, particularly targeting transgender individuals. One commenter articulated the sentiment in Dutch, noting Azealia Banks’ negative remarks towards the LGBTI+ community and especially transgender friends. Another comment highlighted the festival’s claim of being a “safe and inclusive community,” arguing that Milkshake should prioritize artists who ensure a welcoming environment for everyone.
Facing mounting pressure, Milkshake Festival responded with an initial statement on Instagram on Wednesday (Feb. 5), acknowledging the fan concerns. They stated they “hear you” and expressed their intention to “create a platform for artists who haven’t always had equal access to popular spaces,” while also honoring the roots of club culture and its history of fighting for equality. Milkshake mentioned reaching out to Azealia Banks’ management for clarification, requesting time to address the situation.
Azealia Banks photographed in September 2024. The rapper was removed from the Milkshake Festival lineup due to past controversial comments.
Despite the initial statement, calls for Azealia Banks’ removal continued to escalate. By Thursday (Feb. 6), Milkshake Festival announced their final decision: Azealia Banks would no longer be performing. In their statement, the festival openly admitted their mistake, stating, “It is clear to us that we made a mistake and that we have overlooked essential information. We sincerely apologize for this.” They reaffirmed their commitment to safety, emphasizing that “the safety of our visitors, our team, the artists, and crew will always be our main priority.” The festival also indicated they would review their social media response to learn and improve from the situation.
While some applauded Milkshake Festival for ultimately reversing their decision, others criticized the organization for inviting Azealia Banks in the first place and for their handling of the situation. One commenter, writing in Dutch, suggested it was “time to take a hard look at the exploitation of the queer and trans community and make Milkshake a fairer festival as a whole,” reflecting broader concerns about inclusivity and representation within the festival scene.
Azealia Banks has indeed become known for her controversial and often inflammatory online presence, marked by numerous instances of homophobic and transphobic remarks. Past incidents include a 2015 Twitter tirade where she likened the LGBTQ+ community to “the gay white KKK’s,” and a disturbing video where she used homophobic slurs against a flight attendant. Furthermore, between 2020 and 2021, she made a series of transphobic comments concerning trans women, particularly in discussions around gender-affirming healthcare and surgeries.
Interestingly, just prior to the Milkshake Festival announcement, on Tuesday (Feb. 4), Azealia Banks seemed to show a shift in tone when she publicly called out Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling for her transphobic rhetoric. In a post on X, Banks wrote, “I love you down sis, but [trans women] are not a threat to your femininity,” adding, “You are really too rich and legendary to keep spewing the same stuff over and over and over.” This apparent change of stance, however, was not enough to quell the concerns surrounding her performance at Milkshake Festival.
Milkshake Festival’s swift reversal and public apology highlight the increasing importance of accountability and inclusivity within the entertainment industry and the strong stance taken by the LGBTQ+ community and its allies against artists with a history of harmful rhetoric. The incident serves as a reminder for festivals and event organizers to thoroughly vet their lineups and consider the values of their audience when making artist selections.
