The Southbank Centre has unveiled Nile Rodgers as curator of the 2019 Meltdown festival.
From August 3-11, Rodgers will take over the venues’ stages to present a hand-picked line-up of music, art and free events.
Rodgers said: “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. 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.”
Bengi Unsal, 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.”
Rodgers returned with Chic album It’s About Time last year featuring Nao, Mura Masa, Anderson.Paak, Elton John, Emeli Sande and Lady Gaga. Nile Rodgers & Chic are nominated for International Group at the BRIT Awards.
He was also named as Abbey Road Studios’ first ever chief creative advisor last year.
The Cure’s Robert Smith curated the 2018 Meltdown Festival.
FOLLOW 
