Damon Albarn will perform with the Syrian National Orchestra For Arabic Music and special guests to open Roskilde’s Orange Stage this year.
Albarn first performed with the SNO back in 2008, and will be at the Danish festival on Wednesday, June 29th. “This will be an extraordinary, fun, moving and unpredictable opening show,” Roskilde spokeswoman Christina Bilde says.
“To open our Orange Stage with a Syrian national orchestra together with a large group of Western musicians is a way for us to show how music and culture can make people come together and overcome borders and conflicts.”
“Currently, several European countries have shut their borders, and many people view refugees as a burden. Through music we’re trying to show how people can be regarded as resources and offer something to the new communities they are now part of.”
“Additionally, it’s very important for us to show and highlight the proud Syrian cultural history that is currently being demolished by the country’s civil war.”
Other acts confirmed for the event include the returning LCD Soundsystem, New Order, PJ Harvey and Red Hot Chili Peppers.