Guerilla concerts will be performed across Cardiff this year by a musical collective founded by former Blur frontman Damon Albarn as part of the capital’s Olympic celebrations.
The Africa Express will comprise of a train filled with dozens of celebrated and up and coming African and Western musicians. They will be just one part of Cardiff’s celebrations for the London 2012 Olympics.
The musicians will play pop-up gigs and workshops in unexpected locations as well as a large scale concert.
Cardiff will also be part of a record attempt for the largest Bollywood dance performance. The city has also been named as one of the four hosts for the Paralympic Flame Festival which will celebrate the lighting of the Paralympic Flame.
The London 2012 Festival is a 12 week celebration that will be running throughout the nation from 21st June to 9th September. It will bring together the best British artists.
It will include 19 events across different Welsh towns and villages over the 12 week festival.
The events in South Wales will include ‘In Water I’m Weightless’, a National Theatre Wales production and ‘Y Storm’, a Welsh translation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
London Festival Director Ruth Mackenzie said: “The festival means that anyone, anywhere in Wales can be involved with the celebrations and experience first class art and cultural events absolutely free.
“I hope that what we create this summer will leave a legacy not just in terms of those involved with the projects but also in that it will encourage tourism to Wales which we all know has a great passion for the arts.”
Chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales Nick Capaldi, added: “The aim of this ambitious programme of events and activities is to inspire and engage with the nation to deliver a lasting legacy beyond the Olympic Games themselves.
“The diverse range of activities happening in Wales promises to excite the whole of the Wales and bring the values of the Olympics to our diverse linguistic and cultural communities.”