Roadrunner

Went to see M.I.A. tonight. Alicia had an extra ticket and nobody was able to go with her. I've never been a big fan but I went with an open mind.
It was at the P.N.E., which made for a loud and echoing concert, maybe intentional. It was indeed LOUD. S'funny, I have always thought of her as an electronic act but really it's hip-hop, i.e. lots of beats, no music and no singing - just shouting.
The show opened with a 2-minute long speech by a Japanese man, seemingly speaking to a crowd of people prior to an election. It was subtitled and he was inciting the crowd to not vote because voting is a sham, democracy is a sham. He explained that to vote is to accept the status quo and only through revolution - armed revolution - would change be possible.
I disagree with the "armed" part, but I was still grateful for such powerful words prior to a concert. It's been a while since I saw live music but politics are generally not a part of the average show.
Sadly, the whole package didn't match the spirit of the opening words. Sure, she can dance and the music makes you want to move until the sun rises. And there were loads of images of guns and tanks and things on the screen behind her. I was nearly inspired to become a terrorist. But she's still a rock star, selling T-shirts for $120 each (no kidding), charging $52 a head to see her live and making videos for MTV. I think a true revolutionary would have to jettison capitalism as well. I don't claim to know how she could do that, but anything else is hypocrisy. I am not a revolutionary but I want at least someone to be.

p.s. the opening act was a team of DJs and MCs called Top Billin'. They were horrendous but it was great to hear a fat guy yell "top billin" over top of mid-90s rave music for an hour and a half.

p.p.s. M.I.A.'s latest hit, "Bamboo Banger", is a cover of The Modern Lovers' "Roadrunner". Highly recommended and they're coming to town soon, too.