M.I.A.

I remember the first time I saw the video of M.I.A.’s "Galang" on television. It was something I have never heard before, like listening the third world collide with the first one. I started researching about her work, a London visual artist of Indian descent had to be really interesting. It didn't take too much time for M.I.A. to position herself as one of the most important exponents of alternative music. Her visual aesthetics, her eccentric clothing and overall style were so shocking and authentic that they defined an era that will echo in future generations of artists and performers. If you wanted to do something, she had probably already done it, in some way or another. From dancehall to synth-punk, from the most organic drums to the most futurist electronica, she gave us homogeneous musical masterpieces. Her music it is not only good, it is smart. It wasn't until I saw M.I.A. live, while more than 30,000 people pretended to shoot guns with their hands in the air while simultaneously singing the chorus of "Paper Planes" (an anthem of our generation,) that I understood completely her message. That is that music unites us beyond cultural or racial differences. Then "Born Free" came and made us feel exactly that, that we were free, dancing along a noisy punk rhythm that blew our minds. Among all this amazing spectacle of bright lights, striking scenery and nonstop dancing songs, there was this woman who finally understood and used the best of both worlds. She really did bring the noyze that day.

"All I wanna do is *Bang Bang Bang Bang* and *Cha-ching!* and take your money!" - A line from one of M.I.A's most popular songs "Paper Planes". This song and her debut hit "Galang" made me into an M.I.A fan pretty quickly. I think a lot of people don't think about this enough but M.I.A isn't the stereotypical "pop star." There is always a theme in her songs and something that she wants people to be aware of, which in fact makes M.I.A so unique in her style of music. The first time I went to an M.I.A concert (which wasn't to long ago) I was in awe of her stage presence. She was one of the best performers I had seen in a long while. She knows how to keep the crowd pumped up and hyped. The venue I was in was pretty small and very hot and uncomfortable at times but that didn't keep me from having a good time in the crowd and singing most (maybe all of her songs) word for word without skipping a beat. I admire an artist who can keep the crowd engaged in whatever setting they're in.
"Uh-oh, Your in trouble, I Step out in the game and I burst that bubble" is a line from her newest single Double Bubble Trouble off her newest hit album "Matangi" that came out a few months ago. The great thing about this album is that M.I.A hasn't changed. She still makes great music and keeps us up to date with world issues. In my opinion, M.I.A can never disappoint. Shes a true artist whose music and personality I will always support.

Great stage set with really good choice of songs. Really enjoyable evening with the audience, Overall a really enjoyable evening.
Also a marvellous DJ set from the support act.
M.I.A did a great job this year with some really enjoyable acts on the Meltdown festival.