David Byrne is the Oscar, Golden Globe, Obie and Drama Desk award-winning musician known for his eclectic collaborations, as well as being the co-founder of seminal new wave band Talking Heads. Talking Heads were an “art-rock” band who put out a string of innovative and challenging albums between 1977 and 1988.
In addition to being the creative genius behind Talking Heads, Byrne has also enjoyed an exciting solo career, from rock and pop music, to Latin influenced music, to classical compositions. He has also made a series of inspiring albums with other musicians, with collaborators including Brian Eno, Morcheeba, Fatboy Slim, Paul Simon, Thievery Corporation, Arcade Fire and Anna Calvi. His most recent collaboration was a brass inspired album with St. Vincent.
Byrne has been selected to curate the 22nd Meltdown to be held this August in London. Meltdown is an annual festival, held in London, featuring a mix of music, art, performance and film. With Meltdown, each year, the organizers invite someone to make a list of acts and performers they’d like to invite to be in the festival..
In taking up the hot seat, Byrne follows such luminaries as Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Patti Smith, Lee Scratch Perry, Morrissey, Jarvis Cocker, Nick Cave, Scott Walker, John Peel and Ornette Coleman.
Speaking about his plans for the festival, Byrne said: “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.”
Discussing the news with The Guardian, Jane Beese, head of contemporary music at the Southbank stated: “To be able to work with David to put together the jigsaw puzzle of his Meltdown is a real privilege. 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.”
The 2015 festival takes place on the South Bank in London from August 17-26.
