M.I.A. at Virgin Free Fest (09/25/10)

Photo: Jon Klemm

M.I.A. headlined The West Stage at this year’s Virgin Free Fest and apparently her performance didn’t win everyone over :

The most polarizing set of the day came from British rapper M.I.A., whose unique brand of electro-dance-world music either had people convulsing in uncontrollable glee or running for the nearest exit.

Upon starting her set late, she spent time rambling on about how “things were better in the beginning,” and formed an on-stage mosh pit that looked more like a crowded Metrorail platform. The performance left fans confused, with more than a few commenting out loud they had no idea how to describe what they just witnessed.

All the confusion went flying into the warm fall night once M.I.A. returned for her encore, mixing her ubiquitous hit “Paper Planes” with the summer dance craze “Teach Me How to Dougie.” [WTOP.com]

After her disappointing outing at Hard NYC earlier this summer (which was marred by technical difficulties), M.I.A. promised her fans a free show in NYC. Though she may have redeemed herself last week at Terminal 5, M.I.A. is still making good on her Governors Island promise on October 6 with a free show at Brooklyn Bowl. The line will begin forming at 7PM sharp on Wednesday night, no early birds or overnighters allowed for this one folks.

Tour dates and more photos of M.I.A. from Virgin Free Fest after the jump.

M.I.A. 2010 Tour Dates
Oct 03 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
Oct 04 Royale Nightclub Boston, MA
Oct 05 Royale Nightclub Boston, MA
Oct 09 Zilker Park Austin, Texas
Oct 12 Fox Theatre Oakland, CA
Oct 14 Mayan Theater Los Angeles, CA
Oct 17 Showbox at the Market Seattle, WA
Nov 10 Carling Academy Brixton Lambeth, Greater Lo, UK
Nov 13 Warehouse Project Manchester, Greater Ma, UK
Nov 16 E-Werk Köln Köln, Nordrhein-, GERMANY
Nov 17 C-Halle Berlin, Berlin, GERMANY
Nov 25 Paradiso Amsterdam, Noord-Holl, NETHERLANDS
Nov 26 STRP Festival Eindhoven, NETHERLANDS
Nov 28 Muffathalle München, Bayern, GERMANY
Nov 29 Rote-Fabrik Zurich, SWITZERLAND
Nov 30 Gasometer Vienna, AUSTRIA
Dec 02 Alcatraz Milan, ITLAY
Dec 02 Alcatraz Milan, ITALY
Dec 03 Atlantico Live Rome, ITALY
Dec 06 La Riviera Madrid, SPAIN
Dec 07 Razzmatazz Barcelona, SPAIN
Dec 11 Le Trianon Paris, FRANCE
Dec 12 Le Trianon Paris, FRANCE

M.I.A. at Virgin Free Fest by Jon Klemm