TRAIN SETS OFF FROM EUSTONDay 1 Pictures: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12932098/images/Africa%20Express%20Day%201%20Pics.zip

‘A seven-hour epic that featured an ever-changing kaleidoscope of African styles, Western indie-pop and hip-hop….one of the events of the year.’  The Guardian 
 “An absolute lose-yourself epiphany for everyone who was there. I’m almost reluctant to go to Glastonbury again because I can hardly imagine how it could possibly be topped.”  The Times 

This weekend the Africa Express train set off on it's voyage across the UK leaving in a flurry of excitement from London Euston on Sunday.  Throughout the week long tour, 80 Western and African artists will be rehearsing on the train, with Damon Albarn, The Temper Trap, Rizzle Kicks, Afrikan Boy and Baaba Maal among the artists currently on board.

The Africa Express train will travel through England, Scotland and Wales for a unique musical journey featuring scheduled concerts in Middlesbrough, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol and London as well as pop-up performances at railway stations, schools, factories, offices, shopping centres and homes.

Musical legends, emerging new artists, vocalists, DJs and producers from Africa and the West so far confirmed to board the ‘Africa Express’ include: Afel Bocoum, Afrikan Boy, Amadou & Mariam, Baaba Maal, Baloji, Bashy, Bassekou Kouyate, Carl Barât, Charli XCX, Cubain Kabeya, Damon Albarn, Diabel Cissokho, EL, Eliza Doolittle, Fatoumata Diawara, Fode Lassana, Gilles Peterson, Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), Gulp!, Hatim Bensalha (H-Kayne), Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club), Jesse Hackett, John Paul Jones, Jon McClure (Reverend & The Makers), Jupiter & Okwess International, Kano, Kareem Rush (Arabian Knightz), Krar Collective, Kyla La Grange, Lucy Rose, M.anifest, M1 (Dead Prez), M3NSA, Marques Toliver, Maxïmo Park, Mehdi Haddab, Mim Suleiman, Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Nicolas Jaar, Nneka, Noisettes, Pauli ‘The PSM’, Rachel Unthank, Rae Morris, Reeps One, Remi Kabaka, Richard Russell, Rizzle Kicks, Rokia Traoré, Romeo Stodart (The Magic Numbers), Rye Rye, Seye, Spoek Mathambo, Terri Walker, Thandiswa, The Bots, The Temper Trap, The Very Best (Sound System),Tony Allen and Toumani Diabaté. 

‘Africa Express’, produced in association with the Barbican as part of London 2012 Festival, will culminate in a finale concert in London’s Granary Square at King’s Cross on Saturday 8th September. For confirmed venue line-ups, please visit www.africaexpress.co.uk

Africa Express - show dates and ticket information:

SEPTEMBER
3 - Town Hall - Middlesbrough
4 - The Arches - Glasgow
5 - The Ritz - Manchester
6 - Solus (Cardiff University) - Cardiff
7 - The Big Top @ Creative Common - Bristol
8 - Granary Square at King's Cross - London

Buy tickets for all dates: http://www.kililive.com/artists/africa-express/ 0207 6388891
Tickets for London: http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=13701