Photo: Diaz/WireImage
M.I.A. delivered a kicking and screaming Beastie Boys mash-up medley Sunday afternoon to tens of thousands at Outside Lands in San Francisco’s woodsy Golden Gate Park. Clad in a garish, gorgeous tiger print dress complete with blazing red tiger ear-shaped shoulder pads, black wayfarer sunglasses, black tights and bronzed sneakers, M.I.A. strutted in fine form, backed by two fly girls and twin, besuited b-boys. The Sri Lankan sprite spat bits of “Bird Flu” into the Beastie’s “Sabotage” and “Intergalactic,” blasting the last of the crowd off their picnic blankets. “Paper Planes” sailed into the closer position after a muted reception to “Born Free” a fast, punky, bass-heavy new song the audience failed to latch onto. “Sorry. Get to know it later,” M.I.A. said.
Experience Outside Lands in photos: Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and many more.
The new mother and sudden global star behind Kala and Arular seemed reflective Sunday afternoon. “A lot has changed in a year since I’ve been here. I got engaged here. I got pregnant here. I’m kind of fucking scared of this place.” Nevertheless, opening track “Bamboo Banga” and “World Town” had the hoodie and scarfed fans bouncing. Her latest rare performance since giving birth in February satiated new devotees with “Galang,” “Pull Up the People” “Bucky Done Gun” and “Boyz.”
Read about Tenacious D’s Sunday night headlining set.
Earlier on the main stage, jocular Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock brought his journeyman’s sensibility and twin drum kits to a midday set. Touring behind August EP No One’s First and You’re Next, he played the EP’s “The Whal...
Article Source: Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily