Damon Albarn’s itinerant Africa Express project is set to ride again in September.

The enterprise typically sees Albarn assemble a rotating case of Western and African musicians for a series of ad hoc performances. Previous incarnations have included the likes of Fatboy Slim, Martha Wainwright, Mick Jones and Massive Attack.

This year’s merry band is as eclectic as ever, with grime’s resident pretty boy Kano and glam-goth chanteuse Charli XCX both saddling up for the ride. Amadou And Mariam, Noisettes, Bombay Bicycle Club’s Jack Steadman, Fatoumata Diawara, Baloji, Rokia Traoré and Jupiter & Okwess International will also all feature.

Taking a leaf out of Skrillex/Diplo/Grimes’ book, the tour is set to proceed across the UK by train. The jaunt will include “pop-up performances at railway stations, schools, factories, offices, shopping centers, and homes”. The ensemble will also produce new material together as they go. Tour dates are below

Dates:
September 03 Middlesbrough, England – Town Hall
September 04 Glasgow, Scotland – The Arches
September 05 Manchester, England – The Ritz
September 06 Cardiff, Wales – Solus (Cardiff University)
September 07 Bristol, England – The Big Top at Creative Common
September 08 London, England – Granary Square at King’s Cross