A beginner’s guide to Meltdown
It is festival season once more. Yes, revellers across the country are preparing themselves for a summer of camping in fields, singing in fields, and drinking in fields. That’s a lot of fields. However, there are some festivals that don’t take place in fields and very eclectic in their style. Meltdown is one such festival and is currently taking place right now. It is based in the glorious London South Bank and runs for approximately two weeks every June. But what exactly is it and why is it so great? This FAQ should provide you with all the answers you need.
Ok, describe Meltdown for me.
Meltdown runs for two weeks approximately in June and is predominantly a music festival (otherwise why else would I be talking about it?) but also takes in aspects of art and other culture. Every year the South Bank Centre pick a curator for the festival, who then has total power in choosing what acts he/she/they want to appear at the festival. Providing those acts say yes, they are then also encouraged to use the festival as a platform to do something ‘different’ with their performances to make it extra special?
Different? What like?
Well, last year, Elbow played the Royal Festival Hall and were accompanied on certain songs by a vocal choir called ‘Jeff’. Critics called it one of the standout moments of last year’s festival.
So who has curated the festival in the past?
Since it started annually in 1993 there have been a host of curators whose influence on modern music is powerful. Particular standouts include the late, great, John Peel, Nick Cave, Scott Walker, David Bowie, Morrissey, Patti Smith, Jarvis Cocker, and last year’s curators Massive Attack.
Do the curators perform a set themselves?
Yes they do. Some play more than one set at the festival – last year Massive Attack played a set at the start of the festival and at the end of the festival. Incidentally, you can read my write up of their second performance here.
What are the line ups like?
Meltdown is always very much critically acclaimed due to the eclectic range of bands and artists who play. Just look at last year, for example. Massive Attack invited the post-punk fury of Gang Of Four, the folksy Fleet Foxes, the gentle indie rock of Elbow, the Reggae Acoustic Songbook, the diva Grace Jones and the jazz of Terry Callier. In terms of genres, this festival usually has many included.
Who is curating the festival this year?
This year it is the turn of legendary jazz artist Ornette Coleman to curate the festival.
What’s happened so far?
So far you have missed the likes of The Roots and the avant garde sounds of Acoustic Ladyland. But don’t worry, there’s still a long way to go before the end?
What else is there to come?
Lots. Electronica kingpin Moby on the 16th June, the legendary Patti Smith and the post-rock of Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra on the 18th June, Mike Patton on Faith No More fame on the same date, Kieran Hebden of Four Tet on the 20th June and not forgetting Ornette Coleman himself.
Are there still tickets available?
Check the South Bank Centre website for info. If tickets are sold out, buy second hand tickets ethically on Scarlet Mist.
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Posted on June 15th, 2009 by Max
Filed under: Features, Gigs
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