Fiona Galea Debono
Lady Gaga's mask reveals Malta's face
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."
19 Comments
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Clint Muscat
Jul 12th 2009, 13:11
As usual everyone critisising!! Be positive ;)
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 ;)
Chris Schembri
Jul 12th 2009, 10:51
Lady Gaga- what a waste of time and energy! Its horrifying to know that so many people are so happy paying loads of money for so little!
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.
adrian aquilina
Jul 11th 2009, 12:32
if she annoys the conservatives then great...if you dont cause a fuss and upset a number of society then its because you are not doing anything original..now it is realised that the biggest effect on all modern life from music,media,clothing,openess of society,gay rights,anti racism,womens rights,freedom of speach,alternative lifestyles,veganism,animal rights,direct protesting and much more are attributed to the punk movement.still the biggest social movement in the world..even the internet is based on the idea from punk that you can do what ou want,you just need an idea and freedom of sharing..unfortunately due to bad governments and the church in malta these ideals have not reached many and so individualism is not common here..basicly if you not differant you are the same,if you not original you are the same ,if you are not the first you will always be second..with a more open,liberal society we can catch up with the rest of the world..but we are far away from that now..bring more original,individual,confrontational artists..maybe then we will have some maltese originality
Michael Cilia
Jul 11th 2009, 12:09
All You people who are calling Lady GaGa talentless and a clown must be Deaf! She has an amazing talent which she showed during her preformances last wednesday!
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
Lee Bucham
Jul 11th 2009, 06:39
If an artist attracts attention then they are different from the norm, they are loved by some and hated by others, thing is if you just stand in the crowd like everyone else nobody will ever notice you. so why not shock your audience, give them what they least expect. Many oldschool artists have done this, the Beatles, rolling stones, black sabbath, Madonna. reality is we never remember their antics but mainly their music and the memories of what such songs mean to each and every one of us,,,
keep up the good work
M Caruana
Jul 11th 2009, 03:45
I read a lot of negative comments about lady gaga in here. I didn't go to the show but I believe she done a very good performance. Her fashion is followed by fetish clothes, were Madonna was doing the same in the 90's to attract more fans and be more popular. Foreign people look at her in different lens because they have more different scenes AND APPRECIATE IT. So do not throw negative comments if you do not know the current fashion/scene because I wonder there is no professional Maltese singers.
Graham Crocker
Jul 11th 2009, 01:16
Cheer up you nutters
Georgie Mamo
Jul 11th 2009, 00:45
I like that ''don't call us we'll call you'' , and if she does do a disappearing act and say SEE YOU i say to lady Gagga NOT IF I SEE U FIRST. is it Radio GAGa or Lady GUGU in that case i would prefer Freddie Mercury's version.
Joanna Farrugia
Jul 10th 2009, 20:05
Yes verynice LadyGaga now do a disappearing act and say caio caio, don't call us we'll call you.
Leonardo vince
Jul 10th 2009, 16:29
It seems we are financing an event which is shrinking by the hour.
If they were good enough they would have performed in London, Paris, Rome, New York and maybe sliema.
E Bonello
Jul 10th 2009, 13:12
Her voice is actually excellent! If you have her talent...go up on stage...otherwise as the black eyed peas sang in their song..."shut up"...everyone can comment...
Chris Farrugia
Jul 10th 2009, 12:34
I am that kind of person who rareeelllyyy listens to modern music... I stick with the good oldies. However I have to say that Gaga has got some realll talent. Check out her youtube videos of a solo piano version of poker face and if you cant appreciate that, than "kompli gerger ghax ghalhekk tajjeb"
mike turner
Jul 10th 2009, 12:14
There is no such thing as bad publicity. Anything and anyone who achieves world wide coverage for Malta is helping the economy, which needs all the PR it can get.
anthea doughty
Jul 10th 2009, 11:43
Shows the absurdity of our modern society that such a talentless woman "normally gets paid millions"! A gimp mask , please!!! What is the world coming to that it is now deemed acceptable to prance around in public (yes she wears such things walking down the street in broad daylight) in masks and little more than ones underwear. The only "talent" Lady Gaga posseses is that she uses sexuality to promote herself - an age old eternal "talent" that any woman can employ if she chooses, her singing is atrocious. Still she will enjoy it while it lasts, make her millions and disappear into obscurity like every other "celebrity" that instantly appears these days.......
cini oliver
Jul 10th 2009, 11:01
Deo i understand you don't like her but referring to her as a clown only reflects that you know nothing about the current artists around the globe.
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.
Mark-Anthony Fenech
Jul 10th 2009, 10:51
kulhadd irid jifrah b'xi haga hux :p
A.Gatt
Jul 10th 2009, 10:37
Kulhadd imaqdar!!! There isn't a SINGLE article in the timesofmalta.com without someone passing some negative comment. Even a photo of a sunset a few months ago had people being negative and mean.
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.
cecil herbie jones
Jul 10th 2009, 10:37
She looked great in that mask. She should always keep it on.
Deo Catania
Jul 10th 2009, 10:24
Nifirhu ghax gibna kummiedjanta.