UK: David Byrne, the Oscar, Golden Globe, Obie and Drama Desk award-winning musician known for his eclectic collaborations, and as co-founder of seminal new wave band Talking Heads, will curate the 22nd Meltdown festival at London’s Southbank Centre.
Matthew Herbert, Sunn O))), Young Marble Giants and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are amongst the musical acts in the exceptional roster.
Click here for the full line-up.
Byrne will follow in the footsteps of previous directors that include Jarvis Cocker, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Ray Davies and Ornette Coleman.
As well as being the creative force behind Talking Heads, Byrne has forged a hugely successful solo career featuring eight albums that showcase his reputation for constant reinvention. His collaborators span the spectrum of popular music and 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 award-winning musical Here Lies Love had a successful limited run at the National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre from September 2014.
‘This is going to be exciting!’ said Byrne. ‘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.’
