October 12, 2008 20:14

Franz Ferdinand and T.I. lead epic night of collaborations in New York

Diesel's birthday party comes to a spectacular climax

Photo Gallery: Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand, MIA and Hot Chip were the stars of the New York leg of Diesel's 30th birthday celebrations last night (October 11).

As previously reported, the clothing imprint has been celebrating with a gigantic succession of parties spanning 17 cities across the world - including the likes of Mark Ronson, Supergrass and The View all playing in London - with the New York event taking place in a huge tent on the East River waterfront in Brooklyn.

The event featured a string of live performances and collaborations starting with Hot Chip who played a selection of songs before soul legend Chaka Khan arrived to duet with the Londoners on her hits 'I Feel For You, 'Ain't Nobody' and 'I'm Every Woman'.

Rap sensation T.I. then took to the stage to deliver a rapturously received performance which culminated in Franz Ferdinand providing back-up to a version of his current US number one single 'Live Your Life'. The party threatened to get out of hand with the New York fire department ordering people off the packed balconies for safety reasons.

After a brief pause, the Scottish quartet were allowed to play their own 40 minute set in which they included several new songs from the forthcoming album 'Tonight' as well as classics such as 'Take Me Out' and 'This Fire'.

The finale was provided by the heavily pregnant MIA who came out of "retirement" to make a brief appearance which included a duet with N.E.R.D who added their input on 'Paper Planes'.

Pharrell Williams and the boys also found time to squeeze in a few numbers of their own and incite a stage invasion before the party finally came to a close at 2am. Although it had been strongly rumoured all week that he would show, Prince did not make the appearance that many had been hoping for.