It goes without saying the 2025 edition of Les Nuits Botanique in Brussels made a statement by booking highly-politicised rapper Azealia Banks – even after Milkshake Festival turned her away. Consequently, there was a Bruzz article, titled “Will Azaelia Banks pick a fight at Les Nuits?” It addresses the controversial decision to bill the ex-Trump supporter as a headliner. That said, when Banks took the stage on 20 May, the audience enthusiastically welcomed her. It’s worth noting that this was before she openly declared herself a Zionist.
Azealia Banks: consistently controversial
As stated above, Azealia Banks voted for the 47th president of the United States. She then publicly called out his supporters after the election and regretted the endorsement. By contrast, Banks called out J.K. Rowling and worked to highlight dubious individuals involved with Diddy. Most recently, Banks dropped out of Boomtown and Maiden Voyage Festival in the UK. This was seemingly due to her inability to support Palestine, and happened after Les Nuits Botanique took place.
Expanded format with outdoor stage
Like mentioned earlier, Brussels came out and supported the “212” rapper with open arms. At the time of her Les Nuits Botanique performance, it made sense why she was given the benefit of the doubt. After all, she’s an incredible entertainer and her political views seem to change in real time. It goes without saying that her stage presence and musical talent are on point. Unfortunately, we live in a world where one’s core principles supersedes those factors.
Of course, there are other things worth mentioning about the 11 day event. Les Nuits Botanique 2025 brought a big change to the format. There was the introduction of an outdoor stage, which changed Botanique into a proper mini festival site. It allowed for dynamic programming through each night. Other notable acts included Alabaster Deplume (dressed in a keffiyeh for Palestine), Matha Da’Ro, Jenny Hval, Clara La San, Lust for Youth, Vendredi sur Mer, and Sterolab.
Les Nuits Botanique 2025: a commentary on the world
From 15-25 May 2025, Les Nuits Botanique brought together a very eclectic representation of the music community both in Belgium, and internationally. Therefore, there wasn’t a particular genre bringing it together, but instead a microcosm of what’s happening globally. It’s a reminder that music and creative expression are what’s needed most when uncertainty looms.
