Gorillaz Become First UK Band to Play Syrian Capital Damascus
Gorillaz achieved another first on Sunday, July 25 when they became the only British band to have played in Damascus, Syria.
Making the trip to the Syrian capital was no easy feat and both band and crew had to travel overground from Beirut, Lebanon to reach their final destination -- an 11th Century citadel in Damascus. But for Gorillaz leader Damon Albarn it was well worth the arduous trip. The singer told the BBC Newsbeat, "I'm surprised that no one has ever come here before. For us it's just a wonderful experience."
Joining Albarn for the one-off show were Bashy, Kano and former Clash members Mick Jones and Paul Simonon while De La Soul, Bootie Brown, Bobby Womack and the National Orchestra for Arabic Music also made appearances.
Kano explained why he wanted to make the trip saying, "It was important for me to come, because the song I'm on ('White Flag'), is the song with the Syrian National Orchestra. I needed to come."
For Albarn the concert wasn't about money but more about opening dialogues. He said, "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 found itself increasingly isolated in recent years and is currently facing sanctions from the US over alleged links with Iraqi insurgents and its role in Lebanon.
Albarn also revealed his thinking behind choosing pollution as the theme for the band's recent 'Plastic Beach' album. He said, "I think the world is becoming like a plastic beach. It's not a prediction,
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