Top World Music Artists at Barbican Center, London

London, England – In the urban sprawl, permanence and longevity is out and change is the only constant. Cultures meet. Traditions merge. Hybrids flower. Over the past years some cities have emerged as particularly fertile breeding grounds, continually throwing out new forms | new styles | new musical futures.

With a finger on the pulse of major metropolises around the world, Urban Beats will feature legendary super groups along side emerging DJ talents from five such cultural crossroads with each artist throwing light on how their music is formed and influenced.

Urban Beats 5th – 12th May Barbican – London

Saturday 5 May
DAKAR
Vivian N’Dour, Orchestra Baobab
MC – Youssou N’Dour

Sunday 6 May
NEW YORK
Arto Lindsay, Vinicius Cantuaria, Blonde Redhead
Clubstage: DJ Spooky, Anti-Pop Consortium

Bank Holiday Monday 7 May
CARACAS
Los Amigos Invisibles, Guaco, Gurrifio, Los Vasallos del Sol
Freestage: Bandola Recia

Friday 11 May
TOKYO
Buffalo Daughter, Cicala Mvta, An Chang Project
Freestage: Takashi Hirayasu & Bob Brozman

Saturday 12 May
LONDON
Badmarsh + Shri, Trilok Gurtu, Joi
MC: JC001
Freestage: State of Bengal, Dohl Foundation, Bollywood Brass Band plus others

For details of main stage and Freestage artists who are still being confirmed, visit the festival web site: www.barbican.org.uk

BBC Radio 3 will be recording some of the concerts for future broadcast as well as audio and video webcasting much of the Freestage and Clubstage activity via the Radio 3 site – www.bbc.co.uk/radio3

All concert are on sale now from the Barbican Box Office on 020 7638 8891 or can be booked on-line at www.ticketweb.co.uk