Ray Davies has been appointed as the artistic director of next year's Meltdown festival.
Set in London's expansive Southbank Centre, the Meltdown festival is a unique event which puts a major artist in charge. In the past such luminaries as Ornette Coleman, Patti Smith and Morrissey have been able to curate a line up reflecting their tastes.
Now Ray Davies has been unveiled as the curator for 2011. The one time Kinks singer is a songwriter legend, and recently released the all star collaborative album 'See My Friends' featuring Alex Chilton, Bruce Springsteen and more.
Playing a series of live dates, Ray Davies is due to perform at the Royal Variety Show later this year. Installed as the curator of next year's Meltdown festival, the singer lives less than a mile away from the Southbank Centre.
Clearly delighted by the opportunity, Ray Davies promised a diverse program. "My wish for Meltdown 2011 is that it will be a creative celebration through the decades. A bridge between the past present and future. I am thrilled to be asked to suggest what I hope will be a diverse programme, particularly as it marks the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain.”
Meanwhile, the Southbank Centre's artistic director Jude Kelly praised the songwriter's contribution to British music. “Enigmatic, provocative and literate – his razor-sharp observations on British society especially have coloured perceptions of ourselves for nearly 50 years."
"Ray Davies is perfectly placed to head Meltdown as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Festival of Britain next summer.”
No acts have yet been announced for the Meltdown festival, although subsequent changes to the line up are due to be confirmed in January.
Tickets are set to go on sale shortly.
Meltdown 2011 takes place between June 10th - 19th.