Pitchfork: M.I.A. Tour Dates Postponed

Ah, the U.S. immigration system... Just when you thought America was safe after government officials wisely collared Cat Stevens (the freedom-hating bastard), it would seem they've caught a whole new villian in their impenetrable net of democracy. Yes, according to an e-mail communiqu� from Beggars, stylistically diverse British shanty house artist M.I.A. was all set to begin a short U.S. tour when a visa snafu caused its suspension. However, she finally arrived in the U.S. on March 16, in time for her SXSW performance. Scheduled appearances in Atlanta, Orlando, Seattle and San Francisco have already been cancelled, but stops at next week's Winter Music Conference and Coachella in May are not going to be affected.

OK, so maybe it's not a whole "international terrorism" thing-- the Beggars e-mail seems to indicate simple bureaucracy: "Unfortunately, because of a fairly large back log of visa applications around SXSW her visa application is still being processed and is pending." Still...coming, as it does, on the heels of her album's delayed release date, this is all getting a little old.

M.I.A.'s tour was originally set to support the U.S. release of her debut album, the politically charged dancefloor filler Arular. Barring any unforeseen import issues (and who knows what else), the album, originally scheduled for late February, is now set to hit U.S. stores on March 22 via XL Recordings/Beggars Group.

Here is a current schedule:

03-17 - Austin, TX - Elysium (SXSW)
03-20 - Philadelphia, PA - U.A.C.A. (Ukraine American Citizen Association)
03-23 - Miami, FL - Urban Outfitters in-store performance
03-23 - Miami, FL - I/O Lounge
05-01 - Indio, CA - Coachella