Gorillaz Play Syria Show

Becoming the first major western act to gig in Damascus…

Monday, July 26, 2010 - 17:20

Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz group played a show in the Syrian capital Damascus last night becoming the first big act to do so.

The Blur man was joined by Kano, Bashy, De La Soul, Bobby Womack and The Clash men Mick Jones and Paul Simonon for the show, which took place in an ancient fort in the city.

Damon told Radio 1: “I'm surprised that no one has ever come here before. For us it's just a wonderful experience. We're certainly not making any money. We're not looking at it in that context.”

“By virtue of being the first big western act to arrive in Damascus I think hopefully that's the beginning of a dialogue, and that in itself is meaningful for Syria as a whole.”

Syria has been criticised for supporting terrorist groups in recent years and has had very few western music acts in the country.

The Syrian National Orchestra For Arabic Music feature on the Gorillaz song White Flag- from their Plastic Beach album.

The collective announced a 30 date world tour last week.