More Chances For You To See M.I.A.

M.I.A. has been in the news most recently for her troubles with the NFL, but now she has some good news to share about her music. M.I.A. announced new tour dates and will be joined by rapper A$AP Ferg. M.I.A. has been touring since November 2013 in support of her album Matangi, but the new tour dates will bring M.I.A to more North American and European cities including a second chance for New Yorkers who missed her performance when she kicked off the tour in NYC last year.

As for M.I.A's ongoing battle with the NFL, it escalated earlier this month when the NFL asked for $16.6 million, a $15.1 million increase from the original amount they were seeking. The NFL claims M.I.A. broke her contract when she flipped her middle finger during the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show and had "flagrant disregard for the values that form the cornerstone of the NFL brand and the Super Bowl." M.I.A. has been very outspoken about the NFL being greedy and hypocritical and recently filed response papers stating her side of the story. She also tweeted her outrage at the agreement the NFL asked her to sign.

With this controversy going on while M.I.A. announced new tour dates, it's not a stretch to wonder if M.I.A is adding more shows in order to raise a little more money in case the NFL situation doesn't go her way.

My guess would be if you asked M.I.A., she'd deny this. M.I.A. seems very confident about not giving in to the NFL's wishes. Anyway, if M.I.A. is increasing her tour because of the NFL issue, that doesn't mean it was her idea. This is a complicated legal proceeding and M.I.A. could have been pressured to tour more from a lawyer or from her record label.

But enough Debbie Downer talk! M.I.A. has new tour dates and regardless of any a legal-related motive behind it, it's great news for her fans. If you're interested in catching M.I.A. in your town, check out the tour dates below. Then feel free to ponder M.I.A. vs. NFL until tickets go on sale.

Mar 28 Ultra Music Festival @ Bayfront Park Miami, FL Apr 25 Tower Theater Upper Darby, PA Apr 26 Moogfest Asheville, NC Apr 27 Echostage Washington, DC*Apr 28 AE Stage Pittsburgh, PA* Apr 30 Detroit Masonic Temple Detroit, MI* May 01 Riviera Theater Chicago, IL*May 03 Yonge-Dundas Square Toronto, Canada May 04 Metropolis Montreal, Canada May 05 House of Blues Boston, MA*May 06 State Theater Portland, ME* May 08 Knockdown Center Queens, NY* May 09 Knockdown Center Queens, NY* May 24 Sasquatch Festival Quincy, WA Jun 28 Provinssi Rock Seinajoki, Finland Jun 30 Hovefestivalen Arendal, Norway Jul 05 Eurockeenes Festival Belfort, France Jul 11 Splash Festival Gräfenhainichen, Germany Jul 12 Les Ardentes Festival Liege, Bel Jul 19 Lovebox London, United Kingdom Jul 20 Benicassim Intl Festival Valencia, Spain

* = with A$AP Ferg

Image: Rebloggy