The South African duo Die Antwoord headlined Troxy, London, yesterday as part of their UK Euro tour, ‘Winter Wonderland’. The musical group will perform three more shows before the tour finishes on December 18 in Cologne, Germany. So far, the tour included shows in cities like Copenhagen, Munich, Krakow, and Paris.
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The band, whose name translates to ‘The Answer’ in Afrikaans, blends elements of hip-hop, electronic music, and performance art. They emerged as a distinctive and controversial act within the global music scene. Their music videos and performances often incorporate references that resonate internationally, including within the UK.
Die Antwoord were supported by LIL 2HOOD, also known as FLA$H, a rising producer from Queens, New York, who is known for her unique beats that blend dark, techno, and hip-hop influences. The duo was also joined by DJ Hi-Tek, a key figure in the group, serving as the group’s enigmatic producer. Although his true identity remains somewhat ambiguous, he is credited with creating the distinctive electronic beats and soundscapes that form the backbone of Die Antwoord’s music. At Troxy, the band opened with their 2012 track ‘Fatty Boom Boom‘ from their second studio album, ‘Ten$ion‘. The setlist included most of their older popular releases such as ‘Baby’s On Fire‘, ‘Ugly Boy‘, ‘Daddy‘, and ‘I Fink U Freeky‘.
Setlist:
- ‘Fatty Boom Boom’
- ‘Daddy’
- ‘Banana Brain’
- ‘Fish Paste’
- ‘Ugly Boy’
- ‘Pokémon
- ‘Baby’s On Fire’
- ‘I Fink U Freeky’
Encore:
9. ‘Enter The Ninja’
The band also performed their new single, ‘Pokémon’, released in September 2024. It is speculated to be part of their sixth studio album, ‘Uit De Hemel Gevallen’ ( ‘Fallen from Heaven’), which could be released at the end of 2024. No other new or unreleased songs were performed last night, and the new era remains somewhat of a mystery as the band recently started fresh on their social media. Die Antwoord, who are known for their edgy and provocative style, have been embroiled in multiple controversies throughout their career. These controversies span allegations of cultural appropriation, homophobia, offensive behaviour, and legal issues. Ahead of the release of their new album, the band has recently been addressing certain allegations. “They call us homophobic, but how can we be homophobic if DJ Hi-Tek is homosexual?”, the frontman of the group, Ninja, said on stage yesterday. The band also commented on this in their 2024 documentary ‘ZEF: The Story of Die Antwoord’.
It seems the duo has a bigger fandom in other European countries, predominantly in Germany, hence the tour’s four German dates. Yet the band delivered a well-loved, high-energy performance last night similar to their previous London successes, specifically at the Brixton Academy. Their daughter Sixteen Jones also made an appearance.
For more updates on Die Antwoord, you can check their Instagram, where they are currently active.
