Southbank Centre’s Meltdown festival 21st anniversary will see James Lavelle delivers a programme not to be rivalled by any other summer festival. Through his Meltdown, audiences will have the chance to engage with James Lavelle and some of the artists that have collaborated with him, influenced and inspired him across music, art, design and film. In curating the festival in its 21st anniversary year the iconic musician and artist follows in the footsteps of some of music’s biggest names, including David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith and Jarvis Cocker. 

Since starting the iconic music label Mo’ Wax aged 18, Lavelle has been witness to and at the forefront of the worldwide DJ-ing scene, and a celebration of club culture past and present will form a key part of his Meltdown. The festival will kick off his own influential creation -UNKLE - playing a one-off Royal Festival Hall show. UNKLE will play a specially created audio visual show for Meltdown that owes a debt to the orchestral side of UNKLE's back catalogue and will include collaborators from UNKLE's history as well as new faces who will combine forces to rework an eclectic repertoire for a contemporary classical surrounding.

Goldie’s iconic album Timeless celebrates 20 years since its release, and to mark the occasion Goldie will perform it live for the first time, accompanied by the Heritage Orchestra. Visitors are also invited to the Sunday Come Down on the final day of the festival for an afternoon of free music celebrating club classics on the terraces next to the River Thames and which will feature Acid Brass by Jeremy Deller performed by The Fairey Band. The creative output of James’ label will also be celebrated in Urban Archaeology: 21 Years of Mo’Wax; a retrospective exhibition of the Mo’Wax archive which has devised with Southbank Centre uniquely for this year’s Meltdown and which will include tracks and record sleeves plus previously unseen proofs and artwork, as well as unveiling the workings behind the label.

Film scores have been an important part of Lavelle’s career and film will be a highlight of Meltdown this year. There will be a screening of Jonathan Glazer’s latest release Under The Skin, with a live soundtrack from Southbank Centre Artist in Residence Mica Levi and Orchestrate. Golden Globe-winning film Waltz With Bashir will also be screened, with Max Richter’s score played live by the Philharmonia Orchestra and conducted by André de Ridder.

Meltdown has a reputation for staging one-off performances and collaborations by legendary artists, and the 21st anniversary of the festival will be no exception.  Chrissie Hynde, best known as the leader of The Pretenders, will play the Royal Festival Hall in what will be her first live show in five years. Neneh Cherry returns to Southbank Centre after her legendary DJ slot at Yoko Ono’s Meltdown last year, and will play songs from her new album Blank Project. Singer-songwriter Mark Lanegan comes to the festival and will play an exclusive acoustic set in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Other events include a rare live performance from musician, poet and artist Keaton Henson, South African musician Petite Noir, Edwyn Collins with yet to be announced guests and a celebration of John Coltrane’s 1965 album A Love Supreme from Paul Bradshaw’s Straight No Chaser.

This year, Meltdown goes even further across Southbank Centre’s 21 acre site and sets will take place in the Production Arch from Glass Animals - who have recently signed to Paul Epworth’s label Wolf Tone – plus Radkey and with more acts to be announced. An exclusive and yet to be revealed set of DJ sets will also take place every night in the Foyers.

At the heart of this summer's Meltdown will be Lavelle's desire to work with young people and mobilise the next generation to become makers of culture. Both weekends of the festival will be host to Meltdown Sessions, a series of talks and workshops with a host of iconic names across the arts and media, including many musicians appearing at Meltdown, providing young people with a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ask their questions and get advice from leading figures in the creative industries. Meltdown will also provide an opportunity for a specially recruited group of young people to experience and develop skills in planning and running a festival.

James Lavelle said, "I'm deeply honoured and inspired to be curating this year's Meltdown, following in the footsteps of many of my musical and cultural heroes. Over the past few months and during many sleepless nights I have been dreaming of a giant psychedelic jigsaw puzzle and trying to arrange all the pieces to create something eclectic, multicultural, unique and contemporary that joins the dots between artists who have strived to push the boundaries of the art of music. With my Meltdown I wanted to draw on the diversity and creative history of London and apply that to creating a festival that reflects the ever changing musical and artistic landscape of one of the most inspiring and creative epicenters of the world. Welcome to my world and I hope you enjoy the trip."

Jude Kelly, Artistic Director, Southbank Centre, said, “A defining voice in club culture and a  justifiably lauded name in the field of musical, visual and digital innovation, I know that James Lavelle will take Meltdown to new places in its 21st year. James has brought together a groundbreaking programme of cross generational collaborators from all corners of contemporary culture, spanning music, art, design, film and everything in between. We are thrilled to have him curate this year’s Meltdown festival.”

Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music, Southbank Centre, said, “Working with James has been a fantastic experience and he is one of the defining voices in contemporary British culture. He has been passionate and enthusiastic in his desire to reflect not only his own creative world in his Meltdown but also in his aspiration to inspire the next generation of creators. These ambitions have produced an incredibly exciting programme for 2014.” 

13 – 22 June 2014, Southbank Centre, Tickets go on sale to Southbank Centre Members at 10am on 1 April 2014. Tickets go on sale to all at 10am on 3 April 2014.

Line up so far

Unkle + Philip Sheppard Friday 13 June, Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm, £30 £25 

Chrissie Hynde Saturday 14 June, Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm, £40 £32.50 £25 

Mark Lanegan Saturday 14 June, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm, £22.50 £17.50 

Petite Noir Saturday 14 June, Purcell Room, 7.45pm, £12.50 

Waltz with Bashir Sunday 15 June, Royal Festival Hall, 8pm, £25 £20 

Keaton Heston Monday 16 June, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm, £17.50 £12.50 

Edwyn Collins & Guests Tuesday 17 June, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm, £25 £20 

Radkey Tuesday 17 June, Production Arch, 7.30pm, £15 

Neneh Cherry Wednesday 18 June, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm, £17.50 £12.50 

Under The Skin, Royal Festival Hall, 18 June, 8pm, £12.50 / £17.50

Glass Animals Wednesday 18 June, Production Arch, 7.30pm, £15 

Goldie and the Heritage Orchestra - Timeless Saturday 21 June, Royal Festival Hall, 7.30pm, £40 £32.50 £25 

ESG + 23 Skidoo Saturday 21 June, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7.30pm, £25 / £20.

'Enlightenment' -  A re-envisioning of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme – Queen Elizabeth Hall,  Sunday 22 June, 7.30pm, £12.50 and £20.

Sunday Come Down with Acid Brass by Jeremy Deller performed by The Fairey Band Sunday 22 June, Level 2 Riverside Terrace, 1pm – 6pm, Free

The level 2 terrace next to the River Thames will be turned into a fun, chilled daytime party for everyone to enjoy. Everyone can ‘Come Down’ and dance the day away.

Meltdown Sessions

Saturday 14, Sunday 15 & Saturday 21 June, Day passes £12 £4 (limited number of concessions) Buy a day pass to enjoy these sessions and hand-pick events to attend throughout the day. 

Urban Archaeology: 21 Years of Mo’ Wax 13 – 22 June, Level 2 Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall Foyer, admission free

A free exhibition celebrating the creative output of Mo’Wax, which includes tracks and record sleeves, previously unseen proofs and artwork, as well as unveiling the workings behind the label, including private notes, artefacts and photographs.