"Public-funded art is for everyone, not just some stupid vicars." ... or Mullahs presumably. 'Christian Voice is outside, praying for our souls ... '

Last year I went to see the African Soul Rebels tour with the excellent Tinariwen and Rachid Taha, Algeria's answer to Joe Strummer. Next week I'm off to see African Soul Rebels II with another Algerian star Souad Massi and the creators of last year's best album, Amadou and Mariam. The tour starts in Manchester tomorrow... get to one of the shows if you can, (sold out in London, I'm afraid) if it's as good as last year it should guarantee a great night out.