M.I.A. Joins Sleigh Bells at Creators Project Launch

Posted on Jun 27th 2010 2:00PM by Ginny Yang
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M.I.A. confirmed rumors by playing a surprise set Saturday night at the launch of the Creators Project, a collaboration between Intel and Vice that celebrates artists around the world. The singer took the stage at Milk Studios in New York City sporting multi-colored hair and kicked off the performance with her propulsive new single 'Born Free.'

Joined by a throng of dancers, M.I.A. played before a giant video screen and debuted tracks from her forthcoming third album '\/\/\Y/\,' as well as previous hits like 'Galang' and 'Paper Planes.'

The Sri Lankan artist joined an all-star lineup of musicians, including the Rapture, Mark Ronson and Interpol. The day-long event also included art installations, film screenings and panels.

The venture is scheduled to launch across the globe, with similar events planned in the UK, Brazil, South Korea and China that highlight audio and visual artists. Spike Jonze's latest film work, 'I'm Here,' featured a robot protagonist who escapes the day-to-day drudgery by bonding over music and dreams with a lady android. Ultimately, the relationship costs him an arm and a leg (as well as other body parts).

Sleigh Bells also played a rollicking set, with singer Alexis Krauss dumping water over herself before dousing the audience with the remainder of her bottle. The electro-pop duo (who are signed to M.I.A.'s NEET Recordings) treated the crowd to 'Crown on the Ground' and 'Tell 'Em,' which prompted a rowdy dance party.

Interpol performed at the gallery's loading dock before partygoers, as the mass of people gathered at the nearby High Line. The New York natives looked dapper in dark button-down shirts. The show included new material from their self-titled disc, as well as a fresh lineup featuring bassist Dave Pajo and keyboardist Brandon Curtis.

The Rapture played the venue earlier in the night, warming up the crowd with familiar tracks like 'House of Jealous Lovers,' 'Get Myself Into It' and 'Whoo! Alright Yeah... Uh Huh.' Meanwhile, event panelist Mark Ronson closed down the night, spinning a Motown-heavy set for the sizeable number of fans who remained at the end of the 12-hour event.

Watch M.I.A.'s performance of 'Born Free' at the Creators Project below: