Africa Express is a UK-based non-profit organization that facilitates cross-cultural collaborations between musicians in African, Middle Eastern, and Western countries. It seeks to help African musicians break beyond the stigmas and prejudices of the term 'world music', while presenting a positive impression of Africa to counter against common media images of war, famine, and disease. Notable events that Africa Express has been involved in include performances at the

2012 Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international multi-sport event held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. The first event, the ...

, the

Glastonbury Festival Glastonbury Festival (formally Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts and known colloquially as Glasto) is a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts that takes place in Pilton, Somerset, England. In addition to contemp ...

, the

BBC Electric Proms The BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms (formerly the BBC Electric Proms) was an October music festival in London run by the BBC for five years, 2006–2010. On 31 January 2011, the BBC announced that the event would be discontinued with immediate effec ...

, Denmark's

Roskilde Festival The Roskilde Festival is a Danish music festival held annually south of Roskilde. It is one of the largest music festivals in Europe and the largest in the Nordic countries. It was created in 1971 by two high school students and a promoter. In 1 ...

, a tour of Syrian refugee musicians, and concerts in such places as Mali, the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, and France. The organization has also released a number of compilations and collaborative albums along with a documentary of the 2012 Africa Express UK train tour. Many of the established Western musicians who have participated in the organization's projects have spoken of their admiration for the musical skill levels of the African musicians involved and the influence their participation has had on them. Over 50,000 people are estimated to have attended Africa Express events, which have received substantial global media coverage.

History

Africa Express began out of a 2005 gathering in a Covent Garden bar where Blur and

Gorillaz Gorillaz are an English virtual band formed in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, from London. The band primarily consists of four fictional members: 2-D (vocals, keyboards), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar), Noodle (guitar, ...

frontman

Damon Albarn Damon Albarn (; born 23 March 1968) is an English-Icelandic musician, singer-songwriter and composer, best known as the frontman and primary lyricist of the rock band Blur and as the co-creator and primary musical contributor of the virtual ...

along with other musicians and music industry friends were angered by the Live 8 charity concert for Africa's inclusion of only one African artist in its line up. Co-founding the organization with the journalist Ian Birrell, Africa Express's inaugural project featured Albarn and Birrell taking a number of Western musicians including

Fatboy Slim Norman Quentin Cook (born Quentin Leo Cook, 31 July 1963), also known by his stage name Fatboy Slim, is an English musician, DJ, and record producer who helped to popularise the big beat genre in the 1990s. In the 1980s, Cook was the bassist f ...

Martha Wainwright Martha Wainwright (born May 8, 1976) is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She has released seven critically-acclaimed studio albums. Wainwright is the daughter of musicians Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III a ...

, and

Jamie T Jamie Alexander Treays (born 8 January 1986), better known by his stage name Jamie T, is an English singer, songwriter, rapper, guitarist and record producer from Wimbledon, South London. Jamie T released his debut album, '' Panic Prevention'' ...

, to perform at Festival au Désert in the

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outside of

Timbuktu Timbuktu ( ; french: Tombouctou; Koyra Chiini: ); tmh, label=Tuareg, script=Tfng, ⵜⵏⴱⴾⵜ, Tin Buqt a city in Mali, situated north of the Niger River. The town is the capital of the Tombouctou Region, one of the eight administrativ ...

. In the early years of Africa Express, shows would be put on semi-spontaneously in locations such as

Brixton Brixton is a district in south London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. Brixton experienced a rapid rise in population during the 19th ce ...

pubs, with little to no advance announcement. The spirit of spontaneous collaborations between musicians of diverse cultures has carried on as the organization has grown to stage large scale events. In addition to Damon Albarn, frequent contributors to Africa Express's varied projects include

Fela Kuti Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the p ...

's drummer Tony Allen from Nigeria, Senegalese singer/guitarist Baaba Maal, the Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner, and

The Magic Numbers The Magic Numbers are an English pop rock band consisting of two brother-and-sister pairs, from Hanwell in west London. The group was formed in 2002, releasing their debut album titled ''The Magic Numbers'' on 13 June 2005. Their follow-up alb ...

' Romeo Stodart. Western musicians who've performed in the organizations events include

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...

's John Paul Jones,

Brian Eno Brian Peter George St John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno (; born Brian Peter George Eno, 15 May 1948) is a British musician, composer, record producer and visual artist best known for his contributions to ambient music and work in rock, pop an ...

Flea Flea, the common name for the order Siphonaptera, includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects that live as external parasites of mammals and birds. Fleas live by ingesting the blood of their hosts. Adult fleas grow to about long, a ...

of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Scratch of

The Roots The Roots are an American hip hop band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The Roots serve as the house band on NBC's ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy F ...

De La Soul De La Soul () is an American hip hop trio formed in 1988 in the Amityville area of Long Island, New York. They are best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative ...

, the Super Furry Animals'

Gruff Rhys Gruffudd Maredudd Bowen Rhys (; born 18 July 1970) is a Welsh musician, composer, producer, filmmaker and author. He performs solo and with several bands, including Super Furry Animals, which obtained mainstream success in the 1990s. He formed ...

, Paul Weller,

, 3D of Massive Attack, The Smiths'

Johnny Marr Johnny Marr (born John Martin Maher, 31 October 1963) is an English musician, songwriter and singer. He first achieved fame as the guitarist and co-songwriter of the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. He has since performed with numerous ...

, Mick Jones and

Paul Simonon Paul Gustave Simonon (; born 15 December 1955) is an English musician and artist best known as the bassist for the Clash. More recent work includes his involvement in the supergroup the Good, the Bad & the Queen and playing on the Gorillaz alb ...

The Clash The Clash were an English rock band formed in London in 1976 who were key players in the original wave of British punk rock. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they also contributed to the and new wave movements that emerged in the wa ...

Peter Hook Peter Hook (born Woodhead; 13 February 1956) is an English musician, best known as the bassist and co-founder of the rock bands Joy Division and New Order. Hook often used the bass as a lead instrument, playing melodies on the high strings wi ...

of New Order/ Joy Division, Terry Hall and Lynval Golding of

The Specials The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, are an English Two-tone (music genre), 2 tone and ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry. After some early changes, the first stable lineup of the group consisted of Terry Hall (singer), Terr ...

, Carl Barat of

The Libertines The Libertines are an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât (vocals/guitar) and Pete Doherty (vocals/guitar). The band, centred on the songwriting partnership of Barât and Doherty, has also included John Hassall ...

, Chicago's

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is an eight-piece, Chicago-based brass ensemble consisting of eight sons of the jazz trumpeter Phil Cohran. Their musical style ranges from hip hop to jazz to funk and rock, including calypso and gypsy music. They call t ...

, Franz Ferdinand, Bjork,

Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus Order of the British Empire, OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in ...

, Django Django's David Maclean,

Ghostpoet Obaro Ejimiwe (born 18 January 1983) is a British singer, songwriter and musician better known by his stage name Ghostpoet. His first album, ''Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam'', was shortlisted for the 2011 Mercury Prize. His 2015 album ''S ...

David Wootton Sir David Hugh Wootton (born 21 July 1950) is an English lawyer and politician. He was the 684th Lord Mayor of London, from 2011 to 2012, and is the Alderman of the Ward of Langbourn. Early life Wootton was educated at Bradford Grammar School ...

, Julia Holter, and numerous others. Alongside Tony Allen, Baaba Maal, and Amadou & Mariam, other African acts who have taken part in Africa Express projects include Nigerian Afrobeat star Femi Kuti, Algerian-French singer/activist Rachid Taha, Saharan blues group

Tinariwen Tinariwen (Tamasheq: , with vowels , pronounced ''tinariwen'' "deserts", plural of ''ténéré'' "desert") is a collective of Tuareg musicians from the Sahara Desert region of northern Mali. Considered a pioneer of desert blues, the group's guita ...

, Somali-Canadian rapper

K'Naan Keinan Abdi Warsame (born 1 February 1978) ( so, Keynaan Cabdi Warsame, ar, كَينَان عَبدِ وَرسَمَ ''Kaynān ʿAbdi Warsama''), better known by his stage name K'naan (), is a Somali-Canadian musician. He rose to prominence ...

, Malian acts such as singer/songwriter Rokia Traoré, singer

Fatoumata Diawara Fatoumata Diawara ( bm, ߝߊ߫ߕߎߡߕߊ ߖߊ߯ߥߙߊ߫, Fatumta Jawara, born 1982) is a Malian singer-songwriter currently living in France. Diawara began her career as an actress in theatre and in film, including ''Genesis'' (1999), '' Sia, T ...

, kora player Toumani Diabaté, Bassekou Kouyate, afro-pop artist Salif Keita, singer

Oumou Sangaré Oumou Sangaré ( bm, Umu Sangare; born 25 February 1968 in Bamako) is a Grammy Award-winning Malian Wassoulou musician, sometimes referred to as "The Songbird of Wassoulou". Wassoulou is a historical region south of the Niger River, where the mu ...

, and the desert blues duo

Songhoy Blues Songhoy Blues is a desert blues music group from Timbuktu, Mali. The band was formed in Bamako after being forced to leave their homes during the civil conflict and the imposition of Sharia law. The band released its debut album, ''Music in Exile ...

from Timbuktu, Senegal's

Wasis Diop Wasis Diop (born 1950 in Dakar, Senegal) is a Senegalese musician of international renown, known for blending traditional Senegalese folk music with modern pop and jazz. Early life The son of a Senegalese high official and member of the Lebou eth ...

and rap duo

Daara J Daara J (pronounced , which means "the school" in Wolof) are a Senegalese rap duet that consists of N'Dongo D and Faada Freddy. Their music takes influence from hip hop, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and reggae and is performed in English, French, Span ...

, the Mauritanian griot

Noura Mint Seymali Noura Mint Seymali is a Mauritanian griot, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. Early life Noura Mint Seymali was born in Mauritania to parents Dimi Mint Abba and Seymali Ould Ahmed Vall. Both parents were important musical figures in Mauri ...

, the Congo's

Jupiter Bokondji Jupiter Bokondji (born 1965) is a musician from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He and his band, Okwess International, released their first album, ''Hotel Univers'', in May 2013 in the United Kingdom. The band was created in 1990, a ...

, and many more. In 2013, as a response to extremists banning music in the north of

Mali Mali (; ), officially the Republic of Mali,, , ff, 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞥆𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 𞤃𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭, Renndaandi Maali, italics=no, ar, جمهورية مالي, Jumhūriyyāt Mālī is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali ...

, Albarn, Eno and others went to the country to collaborate and record with local musicians, with profits from the resultant

Maison Des Jeunes ''Maison Des Jeunes'' is a 2013 album by musician Damon Albarn in collaboration with African musicians for the Africa Express project that Albarn launched in early 2013. Background In October 2013, Damon Albarn spearheaded a week-long trip to ...

album to be used to build a studio in Bamako. The group

from Timbuktu were found living in a one room shack in Bamako during the trip and the release subsequently launched an international career for the act. In addition to expanding the Western audience for African music, Africa Express projects have also influenced the artistic output of the musicians taking part. The Red Hot Chili Peppers 2011 song ''Ethiopia'' was based on their member

's experiences in Ethiopia with Africa Express.

, Django Django's David Maclean, and Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos have also spoken of artistic outcomes arising from their involvement. In 2018, UK-based musicians

Petite Noir Yannick Ilunga (born 24 August 1990), known professionally as Petite Noir, is a South African raised, Belgian born, Congolese musician singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. His debut extended play ''The King of Anxiety'' was releas ...

and Nabihah Iqbal shared their contracts publicly after working on an Africa Express project in South Africa. The artists complained that the contracts saw all money raised from their work going to the organization with no future royalties to be paid out to them. Africa Express responded by explaining that on their projects, all travel, food, and accommodation costs are covered for the Western acts involved, who in turn are asked to donate their time and potential recording royalties arising from the completed work and that their contracts are negotiable. They state that the African artists involved are under different contracts where they are paid for their time, and that any profits arising go back into the artists and the promotion of African music. Africa Express Limited is registered at Companies House in the UK with the directors listed as Ian Birrell, Jason Walsh,

Stephen Budd Stephen Budd is a British music industry executive based in London. He is a director of artist and producer management company Stephen Budd Music Ltd, the OneFest Festival, the Africa Express project and is the co-founder of the NH7 Weekender fes ...

Remi Kabaka Jr. Remi Kabaka Jr. (born 11 April 1970) is a British record producer, art director, percussionist and voice actor best known as the drummer and producer for British virtual band Gorillaz. He became a music producer for the band in 2015 after sever ...

(aka

Russel Hobbs Russel Hobbs is a fictional American musician and member of the British virtual band Gorillaz. He provides the drums and percussion for the band. Like all the other Gorillaz band members, he was created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett in 1998 ...

) and

Robin Aitken Robin Peter Aitken Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, MBE (born 24 November 1952) is a British journalist who for many years worked for the BBC. His 2007 book ''Can We Trust the BBC?'' alleged pervasive and institutional ...

Events

Some of the organizations notable events include: * 2006 – Festival au Désert, Mali:

, and others performed at the Tuareg's Festival au Désert in the Sahara, near Timbuktu. * 2007 – Glastonbury: The organization put on a five-hour semi-spontaneous show at the

featuring collaborations between British and African artists such as

Billy Bragg Stephen William Bragg (born 20 December 1957) is an English singer-songwriter and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, with lyrics that mostly span political or romantic themes. His music is ...

K'naan Keinan Abdi Warsame (born 1 February 1978) ( so, Keynaan Cabdi Warsame, ar, كَينَان عَبدِ وَرسَمَ ''Kaynān ʿAbdi Warsama''), better known by his stage name K'naan (), is a Somali-Canadian musician. He rose to prominence ...

, Baaba Maal, and

. * 2008 – Kinshasa, The Congo: A club show was put on in Kinshasa with a number of notable UK and African musicians such as Massive Attack's

Robert Del Naja Robert Del Naja (; born 21 January 1965), also known as 3D, is a British artist, musician, singer and songwriter. He emerged as a graffiti artist and member of the Bristol collective the Wild Bunch, and later as a founding member and sole consi ...

and Tony Allen improvising with members of local group Staff Benda Bilili who were formed from homeless and disabled polio victims living on the Kinshasa Zoo grounds. * 2008 – Lagos, Nigeria: Held as part of 'Felabration' celebrating the works of Afrobeat legend

, an Africa Express concert for 10,000 was put on at the

New Afrika Shrine The New Afrika Shrine is an open air entertainment centre located in Ikeja, Lagos State. It serves as the host location of the annual Felabration music festival. Currently managed by Femi Kuti (eldest son of Fela Kuti) and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, it ...

(a revival of

's Shrine club). * 2008 – London,

: At Camden's Koko, an Africa Express event with over 130 musicians was held as part of the

, with a BBC Radio 1 live broadcast of the concert happening including performances by African Express regulars and Malian singer

, Senegalese rap duo

, Algerian singer & activist Rachid Taha,

' Romeo Stodart, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea, and The Smiths'

amongst others. * 2008 – Liverpool, The Olympia: In a one time variety and dance hall, Africa Express regulars performed along with members of Franz Ferdinand,

Hard-Fi Hard-Fi are an English indie rock band, formed in 2003 in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey. The band's most recent lineup before going on hiatus consisted of Richard Archer (lead vocals and guitar), Kai Stephens (bass guitar and backing vocals) and S ...

, Turin Brakes, Senegal's

, Mali's Bassekou Kouyate and London rapper Kano. * 2009 – Paris, Place de l'Hôtel de Ville: A five-hour free outdoor show for 15,000 people was held in front of Paris's townhall, featuring such acts as Malian singer

, Morocco's Hindi Zahra, the Super Furry Animals'

The Kooks The Kooks () are an English pop-rock band formed in 2004 in Brighton. The band consists of Luke Pritchard (vocals/rhythm guitar), Hugh Harris (lead guitar/synthesizer/bass) and Alexis Nunez (drums). Their music is primarily influenced by the ...

, and Corinne Bailey Rae. * 2010 – Addis Ababa & Harar, Ethiopia: Performers on Africa Express's trip to Ethiopia included the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist Flea, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Nick Zinner, Kano, Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos, and others. * 2012 – UK, Cultural Olympiad: As an aspect of the

Cultural Olympiad An olympiad ( el, Ὀλυμπιάς, ''Olympiás'') is a period of four years, particularly those associated with the ancient and modern Olympic Games. Although the ancient Olympics were established during Greece's Archaic Era, it was not until ...

tied to the London 2012 Olympic Games, a converted 1970s diesel train went around the UK for a week with 80 acts living and performing on it, including Baaba Maal, Amadou & Mariam, Tony Allen, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner, and others. Acts disembarked in various towns to play 'pop up concerts' in locations such as prisons, factories, and schools culminating in a concert behind London's King's Cross station that saw

and

's John Paul Jones collaborating live with the African musicians. * 2013 – Marseille, Dock Des Suds: In an outdoor space in the city's portlands, such artists as the Congo's

, Malian singer

, French rock performer Matthieu Chedid, and the UK's

Kasabian Kasabian ( ) are an English rock band formed in Leicester in 1997 by lead vocalist Tom Meighan, guitarist and occasional vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, guitarist Chris Karloff, and bassist Chris Edwards. Drummer Ian Matthews joined in 2004. Karlof ...

, joined Africa Express's regular performers as the climax of Marseille's annual Fiesta des Suds. * 2015 – Roskilde Festival, Denmark: A five-hour set of African Express musicians culminated in Albarn being carried off stage by security after exceeding the allotted timeslot. * 2016 – The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians tour: Members of Syria's national orchestra were reunited for a European tour and a subsequent live album that saw refugee musicians rejoined with others who were flown in from Syria on a chartered 737. * 2018 – Johannesburg, South Africa: Western and local musicians created an album in South Africa, with their week of work culminating in a performance at Johannesburg's Tennis Club. * 2019 – Waltham Forest, UK: A gathering centred on a big top circus tent in a forest near Leytonstone, East London, featuring performances from

, Django Django,

Ellie Rowsell Ellen Ciara Rowsell (born 19 July 1992) is an English singer and musician from North London. She serves as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Mercury Prize winning indie rock band Wolf Alice. Rowsell is known for her soprano voice. Early ...

( Wolf Alice),

Imarhan Imarhan is an Algerian Tuareg desert rock quintet formed in 2006, in Tamanrasset Tamanrasset (; ar, تامنراست), also known as Tamanghasset or Tamenghest, is an oasis city and capital of Tamanrasset Province in southern Algeria, in the A ...

, Joan As Police Woman,

Mista Silva Papa Kwame Amponsa, known by his stage name Mista Silva, is a British-Ghanaian musician from Brockley, London. Mista Silva released his debut EP, ''Full Vim'', in 2012. Its success led to a record deal with Polydor in 2014. He was the first unsi ...

Moonchild Sanelly Sanelisiwe Twisha (born 1987), known professionally as Moonchild Sanelly is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-coloured hair and her self-created music genre called "Future ghetto punk". Originally from P ...

, Muzi, Rokia Traoré, Sibot, and The Good, the Bad & the Queen.

Discography

* ''Africa Express Presents...'' (2009) * ''Africa Express Presents:

'' (2013) * ''Africa Express Presents: Terry Riley in C Mali'' (2014) * ''Africa Express Presents: The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians'' (2016) * ''Africa Express Presents: Molo'' (2019) * ''Egoli'' (2019)

Filmography

* ''Africa Express – The Story So Far'' (2009) * ''The Africa Express'' (2013) *Africa Express Presents EGOLI (Documentary)(2021)

References

{{reflist, refs= *{{cite web , last1=Hasted , first1=Nick , title=A Vibrant Celebration of African Music on the Mersey , url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/africa-express-olympia-liverpool-793135.html , website=The Independent , accessdate=20 November 2018, date=2008-03-08 *{{cite web , last1=Llewellyn-Smith , first1=Colyn , title=Africa Express in Marseille , url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/24/africa-express-marseille-review-damon-albarn , website=The Guardian , date=24 October 2013 , accessdate=27 November 2018 *{{cite web , last1=Birrell , first1=Ian , title=Africa Express: Music From The Heart of the Congo , url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/africa-express-music-from-the-heart-of-the-congo-789102.html , website=The Independent , date=29 February 2008 , accessdate=27 November 2018 *{{cite web , last1=Grundy , first1=Gareth , title=Africa Express: Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Paris , url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/aug/09/africa-express-review , work=The Guardian, date=8 August 2009 , accessdate=20 November 2018 *{{cite news , title=Africa Express – It's Past in Pictures , url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2012/aug/30/africa-express-popandrock , website=The Guardian , date=30 August 2012 , accessdate=20 November 2018 *{{cite web , last1=Hasted , first1=Nick , title=Express Delivery From Africa , url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/express-delivery-from-africa-8053788.html , work=The Independent , accessdate=20 November 2018, date=18 August 2012 *{{cite web , last1=Diarra , first1=Lilian , title=Africa Express: Damon Albarn's Ultimate Cross-Cultural Music Jam , url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/articles/africa-express-the-ultimate-cross-cultural-music-jam-by-damon-albarn/ , website=Culture Trip , date=6 March 2014 , accessdate=27 November 2018 *{{cite web , last1=Phillips , first1=Lior , title=Breaking Out of That Box Called World Music , url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/07/breaking-out-of-that-suffocating-box-called-world-music/ , website=Consequence of Sound , accessdate=27 November 2018, date=22 July 2016 *{{cite web , last1=Deutsch , first1=Ron , title=All Aboard The Africa Express , url=http://afropop.org/articles/stephen-budd-all-aboard-the-african-express , website=Afropop , accessdate=20 November 2018 *{{cite web , title=On The Right Track: Africa Express , url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/on-the-right-track-africa-express-972800.html , website=The Independent , date=24 October 2008 , accessdate=20 November 2018 *{{cite news , last1=Griffiths , first1=Sarah Jane , title=All aboard the Africa Express , work=BBC News , date=2 September 2012 , url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19456769 , accessdate=31 August 2018 *{{cite news , last1=Griffiths , first1=Sarah Jane , title=All aboard the Africa Express , work=BBC News , date=2 September 2012 , url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19456769 , accessdate=31 August 2018 *{{cite web , last1=Minsker , first1=Evan , title=Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Nick Zinner, Holy Other Detail Africa Express Album , url=https://pitchfork.com/news/53002-damon-albarn-brian-eno-nick-zinner-holy-other-detail-africa-express-album/ , website=Pitchfork , date=14 November 2013 , accessdate=20 November 2018 *{{cite web , last1=Birrell , first1=Ian , title=About Me , url=http://www.ianbirrell.com/about-me/ , website=Ian Birrell , accessdate=20 November 2018 *{{cite web , title=The Africa Express , url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3416156/ , publisher=IMDb , accessdate=27 November 2018 {{cite web , last1=Birrell , first1=Ian , title=About Me , url=http://www.ianbirrell.com/about-me/ , website=Ian Birrell , accessdate=20 November 2018 {{cite web , last1=Birrell , first1=Ian , title=Africa Express: Music From The Heart of the Congo , url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/africa-express-music-from-the-heart-of-the-congo-789102.html , website=The Independent , date=29 February 2008 , accessdate=27 November 2018 {{cite news , last1=Griffiths , first1=Sarah Jane , title=All aboard the Africa Express , work=BBC News , date=2 September 2012 , url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19456769 , accessdate=31 August 2018 {{cite web , last1=Minsker , first1=Evan , title=Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Nick Zinner, Holy Other Detail Africa Express Album , url=https://pitchfork.com/news/53002-damon-albarn-brian-eno-nick-zinner-holy-other-detail-africa-express-album/ , website=Pitchfork , date=14 November 2013 , accessdate=20 November 2018 {{cite web , title=On The Right Track: Africa Express , url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/on-the-right-track-africa-express-972800.html , website=The Independent , date=24 October 2008 , accessdate=20 November 2018 {{cite web , last1=Phillips , first1=Lior , title=Breaking Out of That Box Called World Music , url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2016/07/breaking-out-of-that-suffocating-box-called-world-music/ , website=Consequence of Sound , accessdate=27 November 2018, date=2016-07-22 {{cite news , title=Africa Express – It's Past in Pictures , url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2012/aug/30/africa-express-popandrock , website=The Guardian , date=30 August 2012 , accessdate=20 November 2018 {{cite web , title=The Africa Express , url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3416156/ , publisher=IMDb , accessdate=27 November 2018 {{cite web , last1=Diarra , first1=Lilian , title=Africa Express: Damon Albarn's Ultimate Cross-Cultural Music Jam , url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/articles/africa-express-the-ultimate-cross-cultural-music-jam-by-damon-albarn/ , website=Culture Trip , date=6 March 2014 , accessdate=27 November 2018 {{cite web , last1=Deutsch , first1=Ron , title=All Aboard The Africa Express , url=http://afropop.org/articles/stephen-budd-all-aboard-the-african-express , website=Afropop , accessdate=20 November 2018 {{cite web , last1=Hasted , first1=Nick , title=A Vibrant Celebration of African Music on the Mersey , url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/africa-express-olympia-liverpool-793135.html , website=The Independent , accessdate=20 November 2018, date=8 March 2008 {{cite web , last1=Llewellyn-Smith , first1=Colyn , title=Africa Express in Marseille , url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/24/africa-express-marseille-review-damon-albarn , website=The Guardian , date=24 October 2013 , accessdate=27 November 2018

External links

Africa Express Official Site

Africa Express – The Story So Far (Documentary)
2005 establishments in the United Kingdom Non-profit organisations based in the United Kingdom