Sometimes life can be so cruel. The good people at Bonnaroo have strategically squared up two of the best and most beautiful female artists of today, in one of the toughest conflicts of the fest. Rilo Kiley will take the stage at This Tent at 6:15 on Friday evening, with M.I.A. starting up a mere 15 minutes later at That Tent. The “girl power” part of my brain feels like it is going to explode just thinking up what to do. There is only one-way to settle this and that’s with some girl on girl action in Bonnaroo Battle: Rilo Kiley vs. M.I.A.
Past Careers
For their young ages both M.I.A and the members of Rilo Kiley have quite impressive resumes. M.I.A has a monograph book of her artwork published by Pocko and she provided the cover art for Elastica’s album The Menace. Rilo Kiley features not one but two former child stars in Blake Sennett and Jenny Lewis. Lewis’ credits include The Wizard and Pleasantville and Sennet has appeared in Salute Your Shorts and Boy Meets World.
Winner: Rilo Kiley
I would like to give this one to M.I.A for making a go at it as a starving artist, but I just like Salute Your Shorts way too much. Camp Anawanna, we hold you in our hearts!
Behind Every Great Woman is a Great Man
Jenny Lewis has emerged as the front woman of Rilo Kiley, but she shares writing credits with past love interest Blake Sennett. She has also collaborated with Ben Gibbard for The Postal Service and provided backing vocals on Elvis Costello and the Imposters’ album Momofuku. M.I.A. has collaborated with Switch, Timbaland and her former flame Diplo. M.I.A. often complains that her male counterparts are given too much credit for her work. She told Pitchfork in 2007, “Yesterday I read like five magazines in the airplane– it was a nine hour flight– and three out of five magazines said “Diplo: the mastermind behind M.I.A.’s politics!” And I was wondering, does that stem from [Pitchfork]? Because I find it really bonkers.”
Winner: Rilo Kiley
Besides constantly collaborating with her 3 male band mates, Jenny Lewis has worked with some of the biggest names in indie rock.
Live Show
M.I.A. is one of the most energetic shows that I have ever seen. She somehow integrates politics brilliantly into dance music and is currently dominating the festival scene always playing to a jam-packed crowd. On the other hand, Rilo Kiley have been getting great reviews for their current tour, thanks to Jenny Lewis’ hypnotizing vocals and Blake Sennett’s skillful guitar.
Winner: M.I.A.
Rilo Kiley puts on a good show, but I’ll take a show with big stage antics and an element of chaos over a good show any day.
Overall Winner: Rilo Kiley
Well, there you have it folks. I did not go into this Battle expecting Rilo Kiley to come out on top, but with the current buzz and their intriguing history, Rilo Kiley is a must see show next week at Bonnaroo.
Check Out:
Rilo Kiley – With Arms Outstretched (Live 2006)