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M.I.A. played Terminal 5 with... Julian Assange (via Skype) ----- pics, video, setlist

photos by Amanda Hatfield

MIA

“Not every dance party starts — as did M.I.A.’s show on Friday night at Terminal 5 — with a live video transmission from Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, urging a sold-out crowd to fight the “military occupation of cyberspace.” Mr. Assange called M.I.A. “the most courageous woman working in Western music” and “prescient.” He cited lyrics from “The Message,” a song M.I.A. released in 2010 with the lines “iPhone connected to the Internet/Connected to the Google/Connected to the government,” and added, “It turns out she was right.”” [NY Times]

Video of Julian’s entire speech is below along with more pictures from the show.

But back to the dance party… Big Freedia shows and a zillion Miley Cyrus extended-Halloween costumes weren’t the only ways to get your twerk on this weekend. M.I.A. took a moment during Galang to do the dance move of the moment. Many in the engergetic crowd were doing the same.

Venus X and a drummer for Maya and her backup singer, kept things moving at a driving, if slightly repetitive, pace, with the only downtempo break happening during closer Sexodus, Weeknd samples included. It felt a bit strange to end such a high energy, dynamic set on a lower note, but the highs were high enough, so nobody seemed to mind. Sacks of coloredpowder thrown into the dancing audience and a whirling carnival of colorful lights provided the backdrop for M.I.A. and her Versace-clad backup dancers

On Sunday, M.I.A. appeared at/on the new YouTube Video Awards to play “Come Walk With Me”. She returns to Terminal 5 on Monday night for a 2nd sold out big NYC show. More pictures from the first, along with M.I.A.’s full setlist and the Julian video, below…

video of Julian Assange’s 10 minute opening Skype call:

Julian Assange

Julian Assange

Julian Assange

Julian Assange

Julian Assange

Venus X

Venus X

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setlist:
The Message / The World (intro)
Bring the Noize
MATANGI
XR2
Y.A.L.A.
Pull Up the People
Sunshowers
Bamboo Banga
Boyz
Double Bubble Trouble
Come Walk With Me
Lovalot
Galang
Bucky Done Gun
-DJ intermission-
Paper Planes
Bad Girls
Sexodus