M.I.A. (with Elliphant) @ Metropolis May 4th 2014 (Concert Review)

 

Matangi (Def.) – Hindu goddess of music, knowledge, music and arts

 

Montrealers love her. They  we really do.

The downtown venue was packed with a fun and diverse fan base. From young and old hipsters to excited gay males, everybody came to dance on a the gloomy Sunday evening. You couldn’t have never  find Waldo amongst these thousands of  sweaty guests.

The show started early, which is good when you know you’re working the next day. Elliphant, who performed on the first part of the show was a perfect choice for this pop, rap and electronic fest. If you enjoy the sounds of Dj Diplo or Santigold, then you need to put Elliphant in your playlist.

The stage set was minimalist but was a great fit for an M.I.A. performance. Some type of funky giant  stencils were scattered around the stage and even let out a few lazor lights during a few songs. On top of the stage, you could read Matangi in big letters. Nice way for her to remind us to buy her album who goes by the same name.

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Simple stage set but yet creative.

 

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The singer and proud mom still looks like she’s in her early 20s.

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The bad girl performing ”Bad Girls”. Yes, we do it well.

 

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Sold out, or nah ?

 

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He has a southern ”twang”. She has a british accent. Yet, they have the best chemistry on stage !

M.I.A. definitely knows how to please her fans. Grooving like she usually does (while rocking a gold and orange outfit with black shades) she made our tongue twist for Galang or put our two fingers up for Paper Planes. Whether her songs express her political views or have a sexual connotation, M.I.A. remains in class apart from the Gagas and the Beyoncés of this industry. Her authenticity in and outside the stage is what makes her the artist she is today. I certainly hope we will have more artist like her  in the future. Do you believe in reincarnation?

 

M.U.L.A. Grade: 8/10. I must say that I found the show a bit short but it was all worth it. My favorite part was she performed Bad Girls. This girl has balls.

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Feeling Crazy, Sexy and Cool… Shirt & Leggings- H&M Sports Jacket (For Men)—Urban Outfitters Henny Socks! — 40sandShorties.com –Shoes- Nike

 

 

 

 

 

 

M.I.A. – The girl with the tiger balls / La fille aux couilles de tigre

The UK/Sri Lankan rapper has been quiet ever since she showed her middle finder to the world (Superbowl 2013, remember?). After receiving complaints about her gesture, the NFL is still asking her  to pay  her 16 million dollar fine. These guys must have forgotten about Janet Jackson’s nip slip incident a few years ago.
This is not M.I.A. first controversial ”rodeo”. In 2010, her video Born Free was criticized for being too violent. Shot by Roman Gavras, the video showed cruel U.S. military guards capturing and killing a ”red hair race” for their own pleasure. The 9 minute clip depicted the still existing genocides in many foreign countries. Two years later, Bad Girls shocked the public again but this time in a Middle East decor. Also shot by Gavras (in Morocco by the way), the video consisted of  Saudi Arabian flashing their bling, car racing in the desert and… also showing WOMEN  dancing and driving! If you didn’t know, you cannot put women and driving in the same sentence when you come from Saudi Arabia.
Lucky for us, M.I.A hasn’t let the bad reviews affect her too much. After releasing her Bring the Noize single last summer, she finally released her fourth album effort, Matangi in November.  Kicking off her North American tour also called  Matangi, M.I.A. will make a quick stop to Montreal, city she is now very familiar to.
In this era of twerk and senseless music , it is nice to see a brown woman feeding us with powerful social and political statements through funky and colourful videos.  On May 4th,  I can only expect the hype, crazy or politically incorrect M.I.A. to be on stage.
 Thats’ the M.I.A. we want.

La rappeuse anglaise et srilankaise s’est fait plutôt tranquille depuis qu’elle a montré son majeur au monde entier (Superbowl 2012 avec la Madonne?). Après avoir choqués quelques téléspectateurs, la ligue de football américain attendent toujours qu’elle paie son amende de 16 million de dollars. Ces mêmes personnes ont surement déjà oublié le mamelon de Janet Jackson quelques années plus tôt.
Ce n’est pas la première controverse que M.I.A. suscite. En 2010, son vidéo  Born Free est critiqué pour être ultra violent. Le clip  de 9 minutes réalisée par Roman Gavras montre une armée américaine (très cruelle) qui capture seulement des roux et qui les exécute par simple plaisir. Un genre de génocide qui selon elle, existe toujours dans plusieurs pays. Deux ans plus tard, la vidéo Bad Girls choque encore le public, cette fois-ci dans un décor d’Arabie Saoudite. De nouveau tourné par Gavras (mais au Maroc), le vidéoclip montre des hommes arabes riches, faisant des courses dans le désert et on voit aussi….des FEMMES danser et conduire. Disons qu’en Arabie Saoudite, on ne met jamais les mots femmes et conduire dans la même phrase.
Par chance, M.I.A n’a pas laissé les mauvaise critiques l’affecter. Après avoir sorti son tube ”Bring the Noize” l’été dernier, son quatrième album Matangi a enfin vu le jour en novembre 2013. Avec sa tournée  Matangi qui débute bientôt, elle fera un arrêt à Montréal, une ville qu’elle connait pas mal bien.
Dans cette ère de musique insensée et de TWERK , il fait plaisir de voir une femme ”de couleur” qui nous passe un message social à travers des vidéos tordus et colorés. Le 4 mai, on ne peut s’attendre qu’à la folle ou la politically incorrect M.I.A.
C’est la M.I.A. qu’on veut.
INFORMATIONS
WHO: M.I.A, English and Sri Lankan rapper, 38
WHEN: Sunday May 4th 2014 (around 8pm)
WHERE: Metropolis, 59 Sainte-Catherine East (near Saint-Laurent), Montreal
How Much: between 34,50$ to 39$ (you won’t pay more than 40$ at the door)
You should only attend if: You can listen to electronic, alternative, dancehall and hip hop music all at the same time. If you are familiar to Dj Diplo, Major Lazer, Amanda Blank or Santigold. If you like the UK accent.If you were one of the millions of people singing the hook on Paper Planes. If you want to take a break from this male-dominated hip hop scene and see a girl rock the stage.
QUI: M.I.A, rappeuse d’origine anglaise et sri lankaise, 38 ans
QUAND: Dimanche, le 4 mai 2014 (vers 20:00pm)
:  Métropolis à Montréal, 59 rue Sainte-Catherine Est (près de Saint-Laurent)
C’est Combien: entre 34,50$ et 39$ (vous ne paierez pas plus de 40$ à la porte)
Allez-y seulement si: Vous pouvez écoutez de l’electro, de l’alternatif, dancehall et hip hop en même temps. Si vous êtes familier avec Dj Diplo, Major Lazer, Amanda Blank ou Santigold. Si vous aimez  le rap avec l’accent british. Si vous avez déjà chanter le refrain de Paper Planes. Si ça vous tente de prendre une pause de tous ces artistes mâles qui dominent la scène hop hop et voir une fille chauffer la scène.
Bon show !

 

 

 

 

To get your tickets/ Pour achetez vos billets visitez le http://www.metropolismontreal.ca