Guardian Music — New Century Hall, ManchesterThe biggest-selling act to have emerged from Africa this century first met at a school for the blind in Mali in the early 1970s. Subsequently married, Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia have since received support from the... more info

Nialler9 — My backstory with Shangaan Electro. I can’t wait to see Nozinja and dancers hit Ireland. Rumour has it they will appear at the Cork Jazz Festival in late October at the Honest Jon Pop-up gig which looks to include Damon Albarn along with possibly,... more info

Guardian Music — Barbican, LondonThe record that spawned this gig involved a cast of 19 musicians hailing from five continents. Released last year, Tradi-Mods vs Rockers pitted groups including Konono No 1 from the Democratic Republic of Congo against post-rock and i... more info

Guardian Music — Leif Jerram finds Damon Albarn's opera about the Elizabethan Renaissance man John Dee visually stunning but very frustratingThis opera, written by Damon Albarn about the all-round Elizabethan Renaissance man John Dee, is very frustrating. I wouldn't ... more info

Guardian Music — Pavilion theatre, ManchesterAfter Björk's Biophilia giant ear trumpets and Damon Albarn's opera, the Manchester international festival has similarly jolted the former Beautiful South and Housemartins singer far from his comfort zone. Billed as "on... more info

Guardian Music — Palace Theatre, ManchesterThose already expressing qualms about next year's Cultural Olympiad should cheer up a little: some strange alchemy has been at work, conjuring up a truly original new opera that will launch the 2012 celebrations. Premiered a... more info

Guardian Music — Damon Albarn's recent admission that the supernatural is now part of his life explains an awful lotThe 17th-century witchfinder general, Mary Hopkin, roamed Essex on top of a horse, burning witches and stuffing her bearded face with purloined olden-d... more info

Guardian Music — This week, we've been in Manchester, mostly ...And in Manchester ...We really enjoyed Björk's Biophilia ...... And she talked to us about it, too. Likewise Damon Albarn's Dr Dee. And while we worried that Manchester has forgotten its musical heritag... more info

Guardian Music — This week's programme is themed around the Manchester international festival, which is now under way.Damon Albarn discusses his new opera about Dr Dee, the Elizabethan astrologer, courtier, alchemist and spy, which receives its world premiere at the ... more info

NME — Blur and Gorillaz man due to perform at Manchester International Festival until Sunday (July 10) more info