2020 Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre

Southbank Centre has revealed the first acts of its 2020 Meltdown Festival, chosen by international icon of music, fashion, art and film, Grace Jones, with tickets now on sale.

The longest running artist-curated festival in the world reaches its 27th year, taking over Southbank Centre’s 17-acre London site from June 12-21.

With rare performances from international legends to contemporary pioneers, Grace Jones’ Meltdown reflects a decades-long career working with the finest musicians in the world, while remaining a towering figure of contemporary culture, continuing to inspire cutting-edge artists today.

Artists chosen by Grace Jones include Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Solange Knowles, reggae great Jimmy Cliff, queer-feminist icon Peaches, The Love Unlimited Synth Orchestra celebrating the music of Barry White and Skunk Anansie celebrating 25 years since their political, musical radicalism propelled them from the backrooms of 1990s London to huge success.

Grace Jones herself brings the festival to a climax in the world-class Royal Festival Hall, with an extraordinary new show unlike any other she has performed before.

More concerts, performances, workshops and creative celebrations are to be announced, including the return of the Riverside Stage and a free programme of events.

Grace Jones said: “As everyone knows, I’m a collector, and I collect people, among other things. This is what I have done for Meltdown.

“These wonderful artists I have chosen represent something unique to me personally and to my career. From Baaba Maal to Skunk Anansie to Solange.

“Each one of these artists has a little bit of me in them, and now I am proud to present them all to you.

“By the time I close the festival with my performance on June 21, everyone who has attended any one of these shows will have had an incredible live concert experience, given to them with love from me, Grace Jones.”