Music stars pop-up to play at Bradford venues (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Rizzle Kicks and Maximo Park amon those taking part in Africa Express

7:00am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in Bradford By Jessica Nightingale, T&A Reporter

Rizzle Kicks and Maximo Park were among 40 artists taking part in ‘pop-up’ gigs around Bradford yesterday as part of Africa Express.

Harley Alexander-Sule and Jordan Stephens from the Rizzle Kicks collaborated with Maximo Park lead singer Paul Smith and Lukas Wooller, on keyboard, at The Culture Fusion Building, Thornton Road.

Fans of all ages attended the gig, which was one of four taking place around Bradford, involving a mixture of African and Western musicians.

Young people were invited to join in and call out words for Jordan Stephens to make a rap to.

Africa Express is one of the final events of the London 2012 Festival, running alongside the Olympics, and involves musicians from around the world.

Paul Smith, lead singer of British alternative rock band Maximo Park, said: “It was so nice to come to Bradford.

“It is quite nerve-wracking making it up on the spot which we’ve been doing today, we hadn’t rehearsed or even met Rizzle Kicks before.

“Lukas taught Harley some of the chords to one of the songs five minutes before we performed; I’m amazed he remembered it.

“I really like Bradford. It is a nice part of the world, we played at Bingley Music Live last year. It feels good to be in Yorkshire.”

South African producer and DJ Spoek Mathambo also performed at The Culture Fusion Building and got young fans involved with creating music using a beat machine.

He said: “This is the first time I’ve been to Bradford and I’ve loved it, it’s been the best hour of my life.”

Other artists from around the world performed at the Bradford Royal Infirmary , The Atrium at Bradford University and in City Park .

The visit was organised by Bradford Council, Culture Fusion and Yorkshire Solar Sound, which provided the solar-powered PA system.

The musicians will continue to travel by train and coach around the UK and will finish in London on Saturday.

Ian Birrell, co-founder of Africa Express, said: “It’s nice for kids to see pop stars up close. It’s about bringing music to people, but the musicians love it as much as the kids.”

The group travelled on to Middlesbrough Town Hall last night.