Paul At Africa Express

09.09.2012
9 September 2012

Last night Paul made a surprise appearance at the Africa Express show in London. The show closed the Africa Express tour which started last week.
 
After a morning in Paris where he was awarded with the French Legion of Honour, Paul rushed back to King's Cross to perform with the Africa Express collective.

Paul's first appearance on stage was with Rokia Traore.  Later in the evening Paul returned to the stage to perform his tracks 'Coming Up' and 'Goodnight Tonight'.  He was joined on stage by musicians including Damon Albarn, drummer Tony Allen, Gruff Rhys, Bassekou Kouyate, John Paul Jones, Rokia Traore, Terri Walker, Fatoumata Diawara, Martina Topley Bird, Shingai Shoniwa and Seye.

After the show Diawara told The Guardian, "It was like a dream come true."

Before the show Paul said, "I've loved African music for years.  I went to Lagos in the 70s and came back friends with with Fela Kuti. I've always wanted to do an Africa Express show."

The Africa Express train left London last week and over the past seven days a collective of over 80 musicians have been touring the country playing concerts, visiting schools and performing pop-up shows wherever they go.