Azealia Banks postpones Melbourne, Brisbane shows as Australian tour in chaos

Azealia Banks appears unfazed that two of her Australian shows have been cancelled at the last minute, taking to Instagram with a wild brag as fans lash out.

Azealia Banks’ Australian tour is off to a nightmare start.

The US rapper – who is playing three December shows as part of her Oz tour – abruptly postponed her first concert in Melbourne Saturday night just hours before she was set to take the stage at Festival Hall, citing visa issues.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that tonight’s Melbourne show with Azealia Banks will not proceed due to Azealia’s visa not being granted in time for her performance,” Banks’ promoter said in a statement.

It came just days after the 31-year-old 212 hit maker postponed her Brisbane show at The Tivoli, which was due to take place on December 8. It will now be happening on December 13.

Azealia Banks has postponed two of her three Australian concerts. Picture: Cassandra Hannagan/Getty Images

There’s currently no rescheduled date for the Melbourne concert, with Ticketmaster claiming it will be announced “soon”.

Banks is slated to perform in Sydney at the Enmore theatre tonight, December 11, however it’s understood fans haven’t been sent their tickets yet.

Despite the chaos, Banks appeared unfazed as she took to Instagram with a photo of herself looking at her phone, writing in the caption, “I’m rich - like a hot rod.”

Banks’ promoter insisted her Sydney show would happen as planned.

“The visa has since been granted and we are moving forward as planned with the Sydney & Brisbane show. We are currently exploring a new Melbourne date next weekend and will be back soon with further information.”

Ticket holders have since taken to Twitter to air their frustrations over the postponements, with some fearing further hiccups:

I have tickets for Azealia Banks in Brisbane and I'll be very pleasantly surprised if she performs. It has already been postponed once and now this Melbourne drama. 😭

— Sam (@SamDickfos) December 10, 2022

Azealia Banks Melbourne show cancelled because she doesn’t have the right visa????! pic.twitter.com/fvLkZzV8dq

— cæspa ♡ (@cillkutie) December 9, 2022

giggling at azealia banks melbourne knowing full well the same is gonna happen in T minus 18 hours

— fæggot (@umami_punani) December 10, 2022

The rapper is in New Zealand having performed a show in Auckland on December 9.

But it appears that concert was also marred by a late start and a condensed set.

In a video posted on Twitter, a trio of Kiwi fans can be heard saying Banks’ concert at Spark Arena was “f***ing sh*t”.

Azealia banks was dope lol pic.twitter.com/eFxfowIEUY

— trulybuzzy (@trulybuzzy) December 9, 2022

“We went to Azealia and we got f***ing Azealia’d,” a man says. “[It was a] 30 minute f***ing set,” a woman adds. “And she just left. She didn’t even say ‘Hey, thanks for coming.’ Just left.”

“And then the house lights came on after 30 minutes, three hours after doors opened,” the man said.

Banks hasn’t had the best history performing in Australia.

In 2013, she infamously walked off the stage just 90 seconds into her set at the Listen Out Festival in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

Banks is no stranger to controversy. Picture: Jason Mendez/Getty Images

The then 22-year-old had pulled the same stunt the weekend prior in Sydney, abandoning the stage 15 minutes into her 50-minute headline set when a can of beer was thrown at her.

At the time, she tweeted a mediocre apology to her Melbourne fans, writing: “Sorry to all the festival-goers in Melbourne!!!!! See you tomorrow in Brisbane!!!!’’

Banks, who is perhaps better known for her Twitter rants, is no stranger to controversy, and most recently made headlines in June for her topless meltdown at the Miami Pride Festival.

After performing four songs, the rapper ranted about whether she was a headliner for the concert and seemed confused about her set time.

Azealia Banks Had a breakdown in middle of a show at Wynwood Pride Miami

She is a culture diva, nothing else love her so much hope she is okay pic.twitter.com/ce6l9Qashf

— Piézoluminescence (@angesansciele) June 11, 2022

“I’m really not happy to be here,” she shouted at the audience, before doubling down, “I really don’t wanna f***ing be here.”

At that point, her microphone was cut off, which saw her storm off the stage.

The crowd started booing when they realised the music star was not going to return and finish her set.