David Byrne takes charge of Meltdown 2015

Meltdown 2015

Monday 17th to Sunday 30th August 2015
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Greater London, SE1 8XX, England MAP
varies dependant on event

Last updated: Tue 16th Jun 2015

The Southbank Centre have announced that the 22nd Meltdown will be artistically directed by David Byrne producer, musical legend, eclectic collaborator and co-founder of seminal new wave band Talking Heads.

Meltdown 2015, the 12-day event in August this year, will see Byrne create a line-up over the duration of the festival of not just music, but also debate and installations.

As well as being the creative force behind Talking Heads, Byrne has forged a solo career featuring eight albums that showcase his reputation for constant reinvention. His collaborators include Brian Eno, St. Vincent, Morcheeba, Fatboy Slim, Paul Simon, Thievery Corporation, Arcade Fire and Anna Calvi.

As well as being a multi-instrumentalist and composer, Byrne is a photographer, actor, artist and author – most recently penning his autobiographical explanation of musical form How Music Works. The festival marks Byrne's return to the South Bank – his musical Here Lies Love had a successful limited run at the National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre last year. He's also performed before at the Royal Festival Hall.

In a statement, Byrne said, "The Meltdown concept has nothing to do with Chernobyl and other nuclear disasters; nothing to do with the song on the Mockingjay soundtrack but maybe something to do with someone getting mentally out of control. Each year, the organizers invite someone to make a list of acts and performers they'd like to invite to be in the festival. You can skim through the past years’ participants and curators (see list below). It's an amazing series of line-ups, and the curators are folks I'm flattered to be in the same company with.

"It's a chance to showcase not just known acts, but ones that are maybe a little under the radar; including those sometimes lesser known acts works in Meltdown because the audience's curiosity is engaged by the festival—there's an atmosphere that encourages checking out stuff you don't know (which is what I'll be doing this weekend here in NY). Couldn't ask for better really.

"I have started a wish list and am in discussions with the organizers. No confirmed acts yet. It'll be partly based on aesthetic choices, partly who is available and what rooms are available—a bit of fun puzzle solving the next few months ahead, with a very exciting and inspiring couple of weeks of music and performance as a result.

"Tickets won't be on sale for a few more months. Stay tuned!"

He follows in the footsteps of past Meltdown directors James Lavelle, Yoko Ono, Antony Hegarty, Ray Ravies, Richard Thompson, Ornette Coleman, Massive Attack, John Peel, Robert Wyatt, Scott Walker, David Bowie, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Morrissey, Patti Smith and Jarvis Cocker, curating a festival that will take place across the Southbank Centre site.

Byrne adds, "'This is going to be exciting! I plan to invite performers I've seen – and I do get out – and others I've missed or have dreamed of seeing. It's going to be a bit of fun puzzle solving I imagine – seeing who's interested, who is available and what venues at Southbank Centre are appropriate. I really hope to find things that take this beyond sit-down concerts as well – but of course I'm speaking way too early as I'm still working on my wish list.

"Hoping that I get to stay in the Room For London, on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall roof, for the whole time, but suspect that might be expecting too much."

Meltdown takes place over all 21 acres of the Southbank Centre, including the riverside, Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall. The dates for Meltdown 2015 are confirmed as Monday 17th until Friday 28th August 2015.

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