Since 1993 some of the world most distinguished musicians have been the guest directors of Meltdown. From John Peel through to Massive Attack, via David Bowie, Patti Smith, Morrissey and more, Meltdown has given seminal artists the chance to pick their favourite artists to play and exhibit their work at Southbank Centre.The New York Dolls reunited for Morrissey; Jeff Buckley played his final UK show at Elvis Costello’s Meltdown; Nick Cave, Grace Jones and Pete Doherty sang Disney songs with Jarvis Cocker; Patti Smith performed Horses in full for her Meltdown. This festival brings legendary artists to Southbank Centre for a very special week of one-off performances.

The initial announcement:

Anna Calvi performs a one-off show at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with a 12-piece choir (22 August)

William Onyeabor’s music is celebrated in Atomic Bomb! The Music of William Onyeabor, a stage show that features very special guests (20 August)

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (20 August)

Actor and director Young Jean Lee performs with David Byrne and her band in theatre piece We’re Gonna Die (27-30 August)

Benjamin Clementine continues his meteoric rise from Paris Metro busker to commended artist (21 August)

Young Marble Giants (27 August)

Spanish superstar and new voice of flamenco Estrella Morente performs with a six-piece band (17 August)

Matthew Herbert is joined by singers and a horn section as he performs songs from his new album The Shakes as well as the much loved Bodily Functions (23 August)

Specially-commissioned piece From a Distance from Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Luther Adams sees 64 French horns playing together outdoors, across Southbank Centre’s 21 acre site
David Longstreth, leader of Dirty Projectors, performs at the Royal Festival Hall with support from Gabi (25 August)

Highly-awarded Italian singer Carmen Consoli brings a live show drawing from her latest album L’abitudine di tornare in which she plays a reporter (21 August)
Psapp play layered experimental electronica on instruments primarily composed of everyday items, toys and machine parts (19 August)

Maria Rodés performs songs from Catalonia in her UK premiere (20 August)

Drone-metal band Sunn O))) are supported by Phurpa whose style is based on Tibetan overtone chanting and have instruments made of human bones (18 August)

Bianca Casady (CocoRosie) & the C.i.A. performs new music from her solo record and is joined by dancer Biño Sauitzvy (17-18 August)

Theatre collective Gob Squad perform an interactive theatre pieceand audience members (27-30 August)