Malian Stars Fatoumata Diawara and Toumani Diabaté Join The Africa Express Train in the UK

This September, renowned Malian artists Fatoumata Diawara and Toumani Diabaté will join a diverse cast of musical legends and emerging new artists, from Africa and the West on The Africa Express Train as it tours England, Scotland and Wales.

The tour – supported by British newspaper The Guardian – will present the unique spirit of Africa Express, taking its innovative blend of music and mayhem to UK towns that have never seen anything like it. There will be pop-up performances with world-famous musicians playing unexpected gigs in unexpected places. Schools, railway stations, factories, offices, shopping centers and local clubs.

Each day, each town, each show will be different. With a customized rehearsal carriage on the train, the artists will create new music along the journey, which will culminate with the train’s arrival back into Kings Cross for a large-scale finale concert in Granary Square – one of London’s newest public spaces.

Other confirmed acts include, Amadou & Mariam, Damon Albarn, Nicolas Jaar, Baloji, Charli XCX, Jupiter & Okwess International, Kano, Bassekou Kouyate, Baaba Maal, Noisettes, Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club), Rokia Traoré, Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) Tony Allen, Carl Barât, Hatim Bensalha (H-Kayne), Afel Bocoum, Krar Collective, Kyla La Grange, M1 (Dead Prez), M.anifest, Spoek Mathambo, John McClure (Reverend and the Makers), Nneka, The Temper Trap, Marques Toliver, The Very Best (Soundsystem) and Rizzle Kicks.

Concert dates

3 September / Middlesbrough / Town Hall
4 September / Glasgow / The Arches
5 September / Manchester / The Ritz
6 September / Cardiff / Solus
7 September / Bristol / The Big Top at Creative Common
8 September / London / Granary Square at King’s Cross

more at http://www.africaexpress.co.uk