Miami XO Brought “Bazooka” to a Stage for the First Time at Thaw Out

Miami XO performed live for the first time on Saturday, appearing as a guest at the Thaw Out festival in Boone, North Carolina. He delivered his viral single “Bazooka” while a hype man stood beside him holding an actual bazooka. The moment was brief, but it marked a shift for an artist who has built his sudden fame entirely through screens.

The 26-year-old rapper from South Carolina broke out this year with “Bazooka,” a track that caught fire online and drew co-signs from figures like Jon Caramanica and actor William H. Macy. A remix with Yuno Miles followed, along with a sequel and another track, “Granny Lore.” Until this weekend, none of that momentum had translated to a physical audience.

After the set, Miami XO told Stereogum he had never performed anywhere before. Thaw Out also featured DaBaby and Ian Asher, but the small-stage cameo became its own talking point. For an artist whose entire career so far has existed in feeds and group chats, stepping onto a stage in the Appalachian foothills gave the whole thing a tangible pulse.