Azealia Banks “so, so sorry” for 25-minute Splendour set

While the 2012 Splendour In The Grass weekender just gone was a little lighter on marquee electronic acts than previous years, the Mix-Up Tent still had many hours of solid dancing. Muscles, Seekae, 360, Hilltop Hoods, Canyons, Flume, Kimbra and many more represented the home team, while the international contingent under the tent included Gossip and Yuksek.

One of the most anticipated performances, though, was Sunday’s hour-long slot from hyped 21-year-old MC Azealia Banks. Her bass-heavy, raucous sound is made for festivals, but Banks surprised fans by only playing a 25-minute set. Backed by a DJ and a pair of dancers, Banks raced through her limited catalogue of material, including a cover of Zebra Katz’s Ima Read and the inevitable set closer 212. Banks later took to Twitter to apologise for the all-too-brief appearance, citing deficiencies in the festival’s gear – despite the set running roughly the same length as her breakout performance at Coachella earlier this year. The Splendour set was her only scheduled Australian performance for this trip.

Earlier this month, Banks released the Fantasea mixtape, which features her raps alongside production work from Diplo, Drums Of Death, Lunice, AraabMuzik, Hudson Mohawke and more. She’s got an album, coming too, which she described to MTV as, “Some hip hop, some house, some pop – I’m keeping it vague.” That should help with filling an hour.

#AUSSIEKUNTZ I’m super sorry about how short my set was at @sitg. We used the festival’s equipment and it wasn’t the best gear!

— ♥ AZEALIA BANKS ♥ (@AZEALIABANKS) July 29, 2012

I feel really REALLY bad. Like bad enough to cry. My first time in Australia and I feel like I’ve cheated you all.

— ♥ AZEALIA BANKS ♥ (@AZEALIABANKS) July 29, 2012

I’m so so sorry. I feel terrible.

— ♥ AZEALIA BANKS ♥ (@AZEALIABANKS) July 29, 2012