Doechii’s crowd falls silent during “Anxiety” performance in Poland [VIDEO]

TikTok Hit Doesn’t Translate Live as Doechii Faces Silence at Open’er Festival

Grammy-winning rapper Doechii took the stage at the Open’er Festival in Gdynia, Poland. It was part of her high-profile international run that has included stops at Glastonbury and the BET Awards. While her energy was undeniable and her genre-blending style bold, one unexpected moment from her performance has gone viral for all the wrong reasons.

During her set, Doechii performed the rock-infused remix of her viral TikTok hit “Anxiety”—a track that samples Gotye and Kimbra’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” As she reached the chorus, she paused and invited the crowd to “sing it.” Instead of roaring voices or even scattered participation, the audience stood largely still and silent. The awkward moment, captured in a fan’s video, began trending after being posted on July 29 by @PopBaseUpdates. It has since garnered over 21,000 likes, 746 quote tweets, and 393 replies.

The Song That Took Over TikTok—But Stalled On Stage

“Anxiety” was re-recorded and officially released in March of this year. That came after a surge in popularity on TikTok, where snippets of the song’s chorus went viral. It peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Therefore, marking Doechii’s first top 10 entries in both markets. Despite commercial success, the song has drawn criticism from some fans and critics alike who feel the Gotye sample was misused or that the production lacked depth.

The version performed at Open’er Festival leaned heavily into rock territory, with gritty guitars and intensified percussion. This aligns with Doechii’s broader experimentation in recent months—fans may remember similar stylistic choices during her NPR Tiny Desk Concert and Grammy performance of “Catfish.”

In the viral video, Doechii is seen in a white crop top and oversized blue pants, passionately delivering the chorus before pausing to engage the crowd. “Sing it,” she instructs—but instead of voices, silence hangs in the air. Undeterred, she quickly covers the moment with ad-libs like, “Pulling anxiety in 3, 2, 1.” Some attendees in the background can be seen dancing, but there’s little audible response.

Backlash, Debate, and Memes on X

The moment triggered a flood of commentary on X (formerly Twitter). Reactions were polarized, with a strong lean toward criticism. Out of a sample of 100 replies and quote tweets, roughly 70% were negative. Users accused Doechii of releasing a “cringe” track. They claimed streaming numbers were inflated, and compared the moment to other notorious festival flops.

One user posted, “Top 10 worst songs ever.” Meanwhile, another questioned her reach, writing, “300 million listeners don’t know her most famous song???” Yet another dubbed it “career-ending awkwardness,” equating it to viral clips of Cardi B or Nicki Minaj performing to indifferent audiences.

However, about 20% of responses defended Doechii, pointing out that international crowds—especially at festivals—may not always know newer tracks, even viral ones. Others praised her for maintaining professionalism and pushing creative boundaries. “She messed up releasing ‘Anxiety,’ but her breath control and stage presence are elite,” one fan wrote.

Meanwhile, 10% of the reactions leaned humorous. Posts like “maybe the crowd was anxious too” and “and the crowd goes mild” added levity to the viral situation, even as the moment continued to circulate.

A Performance of Contrasts

Notably, other parts of Doechii’s Open’er set were much better received. She signed a fan’s chest, delivered high-octane performances of crowd favorites like “Boom Bap” and “Denial Is A River,” and closed with a fiery rendition of “Pacer.” On-the-ground attendees and fan videos suggest strong engagement throughout much of her set—just not during “Anxiety.”

Social media reactions confirm this disparity. Some fans hailed her “chaotic brilliance” and cited her as a highlight of the festival’s final night, which also featured headliners like Linkin Park. That context adds a layer of complexity: one misstep doesn’t define the entire performance.

The Rock Remix Divide

The rock reinvention of “Anxiety” continues to polarize listeners. Supporters have labeled it a bold departure and a mark of Doechii’s genre-blending identity. Critics argue the remix exacerbates the song’s flaws, feeling it strays too far from the more approachable rap-pop original. This split mirrors conversations around genre experimentation in general: where some see evolution, others see dilution.

It’s worth noting that “Anxiety” is not an isolated risk in Doechii’s catalog. She’s consistently blurred lines between hip-hop, alternative, and electronic styles. Her career has been built on unpredictability, which has earned her both acclaim and criticism. Still, this viral moment underscores the limits of digital momentum when it meets a live audience unfamiliar with the material or unprepared for a stylistic left turn.

Beyond the Memes: What This Says About Modern Music Success

This incident highlights a growing divide between online virality and real-world fan recognition. “Anxiety” dominated TikTok and streaming charts, yet failed to ignite the kind of audience response typically expected at a major festival. Whether the issue stems from cultural disconnect, promotional missteps, or the song’s divisive nature, it suggests that metrics like monthly listeners don’t always reflect deep fan engagement.

For Doechii, the moment may sting—but it’s unlikely to stall her momentum. Her Grammy win earlier this year, strong festival billing, and continued innovation keep her at the forefront of hip-hop’s new generation. If anything, the awkward silence may become just another story in her unpredictable, genre-defying journey.

Conclusion: One Song, One Moment—Not the Whole Story

While the viral silence during “Anxiety” captured attention, it doesn’t tell the whole tale of Doechii’s breakout year. Her set at Open’er Festival showcased both her experimental ambition and her ability to bounce back mid-performance. The moment may fuel debates about authenticity, virality, and performance quality. However, it also underscores the pressures artists face when translating digital hits into live resonance. If Doechii’s track record proves anything, it’s that she’s unlikely to be defined by one song—or one crowd’s reaction.

When it comes to live performances, every star has one that underwhelms. Doechii is the latest artist to experience this rite of passage.