Eighty musical artists, ranging from Blur’s Damian Albarn to the biggest stars of world music, have boarded the Africa Express on its tour of the UK.
The Class 47 diesel-electric locomotive has been transformed into a travelling festival, with musicians from 42 countries performing at organised venues around the country as well as spontaneous gigs at schools, factories, shopping centres and railway stations.
Western artists including Bombay Bicycle Club, Rizzle Kicks and Johnny Marr will be performing, along with African and world musicians such as Amadou & Mariam, Baloji, Charli XCX, Fatoumata Diawara, Jupiter & Okwess International, Kano, Bassekou Kouyate, Baaba Maal.
Yeah Yeah Yeah’s guitarist Nick Zinner has flown in from the U.S. to take part in the nationwide train tour.
The Africa Express will finish its trip in London on September 8.
