Nile Rodgers will curate Meltdown Festival 2019, bringing an eclectic line-up of artists to London’s Southbank Centre this summer.
Following in the foot-steps of The Cure‘s Robert Smith, David Bowie and M.I.A, the Chic legend will take over the prestigious venue from 3-11 August.
Across nine days, he’ll put together a line-up of music, art and free events that reflects the sounds of his own legendary career.
Although the specific line-up is yet to arrive, Rodgers says that fans can expect a string of “incredible live performances.”
To be able to curate and produce nine days of live music for the city of #London, the #UK and music enthusiasts visiting from all over the world is truly a dream come true!
Read the full press release: https://t.co/FNmIRKH8YE#meldownfestival #nilerodgers #southbankcentre pic.twitter.com/kGmZDj3k4T
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) February 11, 2019
“To be able to curate and produce nine days of live music for the city of London, the UK and music enthusiasts visiting from all over the world is truly a dream come true,” said Rodgers.
“Anyone who knows my career knows that Funk, Disco, Jazz, Soul, Classical, POP, New Wave, R&B, Fusion, Punk Rock, Afrobeat, Electronic and Dance music all play a role and you can expect that to be reflected in the performances we are planning. It’s all about the groove and this August everyone in London will be dancing to incredible live performances!”
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Bengi Ünsal, Senior Contemporary Music Programmer at Southbank Centre, said: “I am thrilled and honoured to welcome Nile Rodgers to Southbank Centre this August for the 26th Meltdown festival. Meltdown is the longest-running artist curated festival in the world and for 25 years has been celebrating those at the frontiers of music.
“It’s hard to overstate the impact that this year’s curator has had both as part of CHIC and as a solo producer on what we call popular music today. He is constantly creating and collaborating, and I can’t wait to see what he will create across our venues. One thing’s for certain: this will be the funkiest Meltdown yet.”
The festival comes after Rodgers & Chic released ‘It’s About Time’ in September 2018 – their first album in 25 years.
“This is not his finest hour nor his most groundbreaking, but just having him on the scene is enough – even if all he’s able to do is spread joy,” NME wrote in a three-star review.