David Byrne will curate 2015’s Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre. The Talking Heads founder is currently “still working on my wish list” for the festival, which annually invites a seminal cultural figure direct a week-long event at the London venue.
Taking place in from 17-28 August, the musician said of his new appointment:
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.
Given his long-lasting career on the frontier of popular and inventive music, there’s a wealth of names who could potentially appear. As well being the creative force behind Talking Heads, Byrne has released eight albums and has collaborated with the likes of St Vincent, Brian Eno, Fatboy Slim, Morcheeba, Paul Simon, Thievery Corporation, Arcade Fire and Anna Calvi.
“To be able to work with David to put together the jigsaw puzzle of his Meltdown is a real privilege,” Jane Beese, head of contemporary music at the Southbank, said. “He is the perfect candidate for the job with his ongoing and fearless desire to consume and create new work, as well as his enthusiasm and curiosity across musical genres and art forms. We’re really looking forward to sharing the programme with you shortly.”
As well as music, Bryne’s Meltdown could clear a space for his other artistic endeavours too; he is a photographer, actor, artist and author, most recently penning his autobiographical dissection of music, How Music Works.
Previous curators have included Jarvis Cocker, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Ray Davies and Ornette Coleman. This year’s festival marks its 22nd event.
