Gorillaz play in Syria but boycott Israel

Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has told of his delight at performing in Syria just weeks after the band boycotted an Israel concert.

The singer said it had been “a wonderful experience” for Gorillaz to be the first high profile British band to play in Damascus.

Mr Albarn, who shot to fame in the 1990s with indie band Blur, told the BBC that he was “surprised” no other big Western band had performed in the Arab capital before.

The concert, at an 11th century citadel in the city, was a one-off show which also featured two former members of the Clash and the National Orchestra for Arabic Music.