M.I.A. Created An Electric Atmosphere at the Shrine Auditiorium & Expo Hall!

From the very first note…err beat, M.I.A. had the crowd moving and grooving last Thursday night, May 29th at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles.

Photo Courtesy of @grimygoods

M.I.A. (Maya Arulpragasam) is a 38-year-old Londoner of Sri Lankan descent. She has been an outspoken favorite of critics and world-beat aficionados through her four albums, from her startling debut Arular and even better follow-up Kala to 2010’s maddening Maya and last November’s more psychedelic collection, Matangi.

Shortly after the crowd started a chant of “M.I.A.! M.I.A.!”, the women herself made her way to the stage. It was around 10:20 pm and she was dressed in what from a distance appeared to be a track suit spray painted in gold. Like her bright gold ensemble, this British performer was a fire ball of energy. The entire stage was filled with multiple props and bright circular structures that changed colors and spun throughout the show.

Indeed, this was the perfect backdrop to M.I.A.’s set who together with her dancers and hype men created an explosive and electric atmosphere.

Half way through the show, M.I.A. permitted at least two dozen admirers to engulf her on stage during her songs, “Hussel” and “Boyz.” Then suddenly, she almost couldn’t be seen because her space was crowded by guys taking selfies and girls asking for autographs! One such excited fan was none other than fellow Brit musician Kate Nash. She ironically brought half the crowd on stage at her show last month at The Roxy. It could be a Brit thing, but more likely it’s just an awesome performer thing.

Photo Courtesy of @jaavee

M.I.A. didn’t allow the sound quality of The Shrine to impede her performance as she showed great stage presence ripping through her set. Performing many songs from her last two albums Maya and Matangi, while also performing a memorable bit from her 2010 mixtape Vicki Leekx.

Photo Courtesy of @enmassepaul