Richard Thompson's Meltdown announces first acts

The Meltdown festival which happens at London's Southbank Centre from Friday 11th to Monday 21st June, artistically directed this year by Richard Thompson, has announced the legendary names and rising stars, unlikely collaborations and those un-missable multi-artist bills for this year.

Notable items include the first major UK show by Broken Bells, the ever-golden Elvis Costello, Paolo Nutini, and Seasick Steve, the UK premiere of Richard Thomson's Cabaret Of Souls, a special tribute to Kate McGarrigle with Anna McGarrigle, Rufus & Martha Wainwright, Emmylou Harris and others, an Evening of Political Song with Martin Carthy, Tom Robinson, Boris Grebenshikov, and more, plus loads more.

The full ilst of acts are: Beausoleil, Broken Bells, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Clare & the Reasons, Codeine Velvet Club, Elvis Costello, Boris Grebenshikov, Lisa Hannigan, Neil Hannon, Emmylou Harris, John Etheridge, Fun-DA-mental, Joe Henry, The Kominas, Bettye LaVette, Anna McGarrigle, Field Music, Paolo Nutini, Ollabelle, Beth Orton, Judith Owen, Raihan, Tom Robinson, Harry Shearer, Martin Simpson, Emily Smith, Seasick Steve, Al Thawra, Danny Thompson, Kami Thompson, Teddy Thompson, Martha Wainwright, Loudon Wainwright III, Rufus Wainwright, Krystle Warren, and Villagers.

For a fuller breakdown of events and their dates, please see here.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday 15th April - we'll have links to buy when on sale.

Each year Meltdown offers a guest director the chance to produce their own fantasy festival, mixing artists and art forms, and reflecting their own personal passions and interests.

Richard Thompson is following in the footsteps of previous festival hosts Ornette Coleman, Massive Attack, John Peel, Robert Wyatt, Scott Walker, David Bowie, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Morrissey, Patti Smith and Jarvis Cocker.

Meltdown takes place over all 21 acres of the Southbank Centre, including the riverside, Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall. The dates for Meltdown 2010 are confirmed as from Friday 11th until Sunday 20th June.

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