M.I.A. Brings the Noise and Julian Assange to 'Matangi' Tour Opener
M.I.A. kicked off her “Matangi” tour with a bang. The Sri Lankan firecracker delivered an explosive set during the first date of the U.S. trek at New York’s Terminal 5 on Friday. For her opening act, she called on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who appeared via Skype from London.
“I’ve become a fan of M.I.A. because she is the most courageous woman working in Western music,” he said as the crowd cheered.
Dressed in a metallic gold coat and pants with red heels, M.I.A. stormed the stage with material off her fourth album Matangi, which arrives Tuesday, including “Bad Girls,” “Bring the Noize,” and “Y.A.L.A.” She also took it back with her bombastic hits “Bamboo Banga,” “Paper Planes,” and “Boyz,” and pulled audience members onstage to sing the chorus on “Galang.”
M.I.A. will play a second show in NYC on Monday before making her way to Austin and L.A. for two shows at Belasco Theater.
You can also catch her performing on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (11/7), “Conan” (11/13), and “The Colbert Report” (11/20).
Watch some fan-filmed footage from opening night below.
