Friday, 10th July 2009
Lady Gaga's mask reveals Malta's face
Black Eyed Peas' female member Fergie.
Lady Gaga's publicity stunt in the form of yet another bizarre outfit at a press conference before her performance at the Isle of MTV on Wednesday has had far-reaching and beneficial consequences for Malta too.
The black mask, covering her entire face, has generated column inches in overseas media, indirectly promoting Malta and the music event on the Granaries in Floriana, putting the island on the entertainment map.
The news travelled as far as China, with China Daily online offering a string of images of the night.
"Lady Gaga wears gimp mask at MTV Isle of Malta festival, keeping her mush masked even when the temperature hit a sweltering 34°C - probably because her mascara had run," said the Mirror.co.uk.
And her dark act featured in other British media. The Sun said the US singer is "known for seriously odd outfits but she really pushed the boat out with this gimp look ahead of last night's Isle of MTV concert in Malta".
The bondage-style, figure-hugging, studded body suit, considered to be "ridiculous" by some press, seems to have caused more of a stir than her recent and racy, nude photo shoot in V magazine for which she told The Times she had no regrets. "Otherwise I would not have done it!"
La Stampa.it talked about the "fetish press conference" in Malta and the gossip continued doing the rounds, reaching Spanish and German media and a variety of celebrity news websites.
While some considered the mask to be a "fashion howler", the 23-year-old eccentric and provocative singer said it was merely "a piece of contemporary art by a designer friend", which she wore simply because she loved it and which, in her eyes, was just a "hat".
But it was not only Lady Gaga's outfits that marketed Malta. The island was heavily promoted as the party zone at the successful concert, which attracted more than 40,000, with the US hip hop group the Black Eyed Peas drumming in to a sea of revellers - and eventually television viewers Europe-wide - that Paceville and the island rocked.
They told the crowd they had enjoyed a night out on the town during their stay and invited everyone to an "after party" down the road - presumably at the Valletta hotel they were staying at.
Judging by the high-octane festive fever of the revellers on the Granaries, many would have taken up the open offer to party with the internationally acclaimed band.
The Black Eyed Peas closed off the spectacle, playing their hits, covers and Michael Jackson tracks that had the ground pounding under the feet of an ecstatic audience.
Fans took the opportunity to grab charismatic Will.i.am and sexy singer Fergie - whose physique, performance and revealing outfits were a match for Lady Gaga - as they ventured closer to the crowd, complimenting the island and its inhabitants throughout.
The atmosphere changed when the Peas asked for the lights to be switched off and called for the "lights of Malta" to be turned on. Everyone obeyed and a wave of mobile phones and lighters flickered away.
The Malta Tourism Authority was not only pleased with the show but also with the logistics, which it said were much smoother than previous years. Cleaning started at 1 a.m. on the dot and traffic and transport were well organised, said an MTA spokesman.
"Lessons have been learnt from past editions and this was probably the best concert of all three," he said.
"Many more tourists than normal were observed, which augurs well and shows that our marketing efforts seem to have paid dividends."
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Comments
With all the controversy that lady Gaga has caused, the name of our island has benefitted! And don't be that serious, although that black mask looked funny she gave an excellent performance! I was there and the way she described Malta and cheered the crowd was amazing!!
The mask and all the staff that people did'nt like were part of the show that if they didn't were there The Isle of MTV would have been much less interesting than it was!!
Really thanks to everyone who participated in the organisation. This was the best edition so far.
Keep it up ;)
On a positive note I would like to thank those involved in getting the great TENOR Joseph Calleja- HE IS SIMPLY UNIQUE- WORLD'S BEST- Thank GOD for this talent. MAY the Good Lord Bless you and KEEP YOU.
She is the Number one artist at the moment and we should feel honoured that she cam to perform in Malta again!!!
I cant see how having Loads of talent, Awesome stage performance, a No1 Album and 2 Huge No1 Singles all over the world makes you talentless and a clown
keep up the good work
If they were good enough they would have performed in London, Paris, Rome, New York and maybe sliema.
Despite the fact that normally she is paid in millions and in normal situations she would not come to Malta as we could not afford her.
Think before you express your thoughts.
Granted Lady Gaga is not everyone's cup of tea but you can never please everyone. We should thank our lucky stars that we have events like Isle of MTV in Malta to promote the country. I personally did not attend but i appreciate the publicity an event like this brings Malta.