There are some artists who are forever ingrained in my brain from my childhood of watching RAGE and Video Hits religiously every weekend, and M.I.A. is definitely one of them. “Paper Planes” is one of those songs that soundtracked 2007-2008 for me, and I remember her playing Big Day Out 2011 and not being able to go. So now getting the chance to see her live in 2025, with a show that felt like a pure celebration of her impressive career, it felt really special. 

The Enmore Theatre was in a smoky haze as the Sydney crowd piled in for Anna Lunoe’s opening set, which felt like we were inside the Boiler Room at BDO. This was a special show for Anna as she opened for M.I.A. back in 2007, and was one of her first major bookings. With the crowd at full capacity, M.I.A. came out to an array of lasers, colourful visuals, and three dancers for an hour set of hits, old fan favourites, and a dash of where she is now as an artist. The crowd were immediately loud for opener “Bamboo Banger”, and kept the energy high for “Bird Flu” and “Boyz” which signalled how special the show was going to be. Looking a little taken aback by the pure love she was receiving from the Sydney crowd, she powered through tracks like “Bucky Done Gun” and “Galang”, and even jumped into the crowd before leaving the stage for a costume change. Returning in a meshed armour fit, she ignited one of the most euphoric moments of the night with “Bad Girls”. 

A fan at the front passed her vinyls of all of her albums to get signed, and she took a moment to explain each era to everyone, and where she was mentally for each one which provided a great insight to her longevity and growth as an artist. As she reached the end of the show, she performed “Borders” before ending on the iconic “Paper Planes”. The pure euphoria in the air when she performed this song was unmatchable, and has become a core-memory. After she wrapped up the show, she came straight out to the merch table to sign things for everyone and take selfies, and honestly… I haven’t seen an artist of that level do that for years. It was refreshing and cemented even further that she is realest. 

Check out the full gallery of M.I.A. and Anna Lunoe captured by Tiff Williams BELOW:

Photos by Tiff Williams