Southbank Centre have announced that the British-Sri Lankan rapper, producer, director and artist M.I.A will curate the 2017 Meltdown Festival, following in the footsteps of artists including David Byrne, Yoko Ono, Anohni, Patti Smith, David Bowie and Jarvis Cocker.
“For me this Meltdown will be about putting on a musical week that shows different types of music which have inspired each other to exist. Genres that support other genres, redefining the concept of a melting pot. Respect the history, don’t live in it,” M.I.A says in a statement. “I plan to bring together music’s best forward-thinkers who have contributed to all our lives. When music acts as inspiration, it’s boundary-less,” she adds.
Of M.I.A’s curatorship, Southbank Artistic Director Jude Kelly says, “M.I.A. has not just broken barriers as a musician, creating music that is embraced the world over, but she has made art her rallying cry – and has stayed true to her conviction, as an artist, woman and citizen of the world”.
The line-up for the festival is yet to be announced, but would likely include a headline show by M.I.A herself.
Meltdown Festival is at the Southbank Centre in London, 9 – 18 June 2017.
Credits
Text Charlotte Gush
Photography Wolfgang Tillmans [The Declaration Issue, No. 255, 2005]