Grace Jones has announced the first wave of performers for her edition of Meltdown festival, including Solange, Peaches, Oumou Sangaré, and more.
In its 27th edition, the annual festival will be held at London’s Southbank Centre, and will include artists who “represent something unique to (Jones) personally and (her) career”. Each of them, she said, “has a little bit of me in them, and now I am proud to present them all to you”.
Jones herself will close the festival with “an extraordinary new show unlike any other she has performed below”. Also announced is Meshell Ndegeocello, Jimmy Cliff, The Love Unlimited Synth Orchestra, Skunk Anansie, Baaba Maal, Lee Scratch Perry with Adrian Sherwood, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lee Fields and the Expressions, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
More performers will be announced in the coming months, as well as workshops and “creative celebrations”. The outdoor Riverside stage, which offers a free programme of events, will also make an appearance.
Jones is only the sixth woman to curate the festival in its history, and follows on from Laurie Anderson, Patti Smith, Anohni, Yoko Ono, and MIA.
Jones’ Meltdown takes place at London’s Southbank Centre between June 12 and 21.