The Africa Express

Africa Express, the collective of African and Western musicians, will fill a train with dozens of guest artists and play several shows across mainland Britain this September, produced by the Barbican as part of London 2012 Festival. The journey will culminate with a finale concert in brand new outdoor London venue Granary Square on Saturday 8 September.

Participating artists include musical legends, emerging new artists, vocalists, DJs and producers from Africa and the West including Amadou & Mariam, Damon Albarn, Rokia Traoré, Kano, Baloji, Charli XCX, Fatoumata Diawara, Noisettes, Jupiter & Okwess International and Jack Steadman (Bombay Bicycle Club) - with lots more guests to be announced closer to the time.

Africa Express began in 2006 with a trip to Mali, when co-founder Damon Albarn took the likes of Fatboy Slim, Martha Wainwright and Jamie T to work with African legends such as Toumani Diabate, Salif Keita, Amadou & Mariam and Bassekou Kouyate. This was followed by a trial London event, then the now-legendary Glastonbury 2007 show, trips to Nigeria, the Congo, Ethiopia, the BBC Electric Proms, Paris town centre and a Spanish beach show for 50,000 people.

'That was, without a doubt, the craziest show I have ever played in my life' Flea, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, after playing with Africa Express at The Shrine, Lagos