GLASGOW is set to welcome a very special train into Central Station – The Africa Express.

Some 120 musicians from the UK and Africa, including Blur's Damon Albarn, ex-Libertines frontman Carl Barat and hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks, will perform at the Arches on Argyle Street tonight.

Africa Express, founded six years ago by Albarn and campaigner and journalist, Ian Birrell, has been hailed as the most revolutionary force in popular music, bringing together musicians from different cultures, genres and generations to break boundaries and offer UK audiences a new perspective on Africa and its music.

This year's line-up of Western artists include Damon, Jack Steadman from English indie band Bombay Bicycle Club, Nick Zinner from American band Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Temper Trap.

Joining them will be some of Africa's biggest musical stars, including Baaba Mal, Amadou and Mariam and Toumani Diabate.

For the first time, the project will tour around the UK, stopping off in Middlesbrough, Glasgow, Manchester, cardiff, Bristol and London.

"Hiring the train was one of the most challenging aspects of this," said Birrell.

"We hired it from a company who normally transports goods, they've negotiated all the timings and routes for us."

The train has been kitted out with a recording and rehearsal space for the travelling artists, as well as a chill-out zone and a 'Morrocan tea room.'

"It should be quite colourful," said Birrell.

London R&B singer and MOBO nominee, Terri Walker will be one of the passengers on the train.

She said: "I've been involved since the beginning, it's great getting together to create amazing music."

South African vocalist Spoek Mathambo has been wowing audiences with his 'township tech', touring across the US, Europe and South America.

"I think it's an interesting project, I'm looking forward to working with the other musicians.

"I'll be performing some brand new stuff I've been cooking up, it's a democratic protest and I really hope everyone gets into it."

"It's experimental and you see the artists pushing forward, even if they are covering a familiar song it often ends up in quite a different place.

"When Franz Ferdinand started playing Take Me Out one year, you had a load of African musicians join in, it was quite a special moment."

Africa Express, The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow, tonight.

Doors open 7pm, tickets are £15 and are available by visiting www.thearches.co.uk

LALITA AUGUSTINE