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Story: Jack Foley
FURTHER acts have been added to the line-up for Patti
Smith's Meltdown, taking place across its venues from
June 11-26, 2005, including performances by the
legendary Brian Jonestown Massacre, as well as
Eels.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre will be forever
remembered as one of the most dynamic acts around following the
acclaimed documentary DIG! (which
pits them against the Dandy Warhols), while Eels have
long been considered one of the great American bands of the moment.
Eclectic highlights already include: rebel alt-Country with
STEVE EARLE; amp-bursting guitar glory from JEFF
BECK plus FLEA and JOHN FRUSCIANTE
of THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS in homage to JIMI
HENDRIX; lullabies and protest songs in a nod to one
of Britain’s most famous poets and visionaries, WILLIAM
BLAKE, featuring BETH ORTON and SINEAD
O’CONNOR; New York alt-rock godfathers TELEVISION;
and innovative, uncompromising art with YOKO ONO.
2005 marks the 30th anniversary of Patti Smith's landmark album,
Horses, a seminal recording that many believe changed
rock music.
The Meltdown Director will perform the album in its entirety
at the Royal Festival Hall on June 25, 2005.
While musical visionary, dark star of the Velvet Underground
and producer of Horses, JOHN CALE, will
be a very special guest for the evening, with a band that also
features FLEA, members of Dutch anarcho-Punks,
THE EX, and NICK FRANGLEN of
LEMON JELLY.
Smith will also be pairing herself with fellow American firebrand,
Steve Earle, the country rocker whose most recent album proclaims
The Revolution Starts Now. The two of them will be sharing
concerns about their nation’s political and social direction
on Sunday, June 19.
Smith will be on hand to introduce and take part in most of the
events, including her expansive homage to the work of Bertolt
Brecht, one of the 20th century’s most influential men of
the theatre.
For the concert at the RFH on June 23, which she has titled
STAND BRAVELY BROTHERS, Smith has invited the
LONDON SINFONIETTA (SBC’s resident contemporary
music ensemble) and has so far confirmed MARC ALMOND,
NEIL FINN, TIM FINN, DRESDEN DOLLS and man of the moment,
Antony Hegarty of ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS.
The latter has also accepted Smith’s invitation to perform
with his band at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on June 24, blending
the most poignant lyrics with heartfelt delivery, following recent
five-star reviews in the same space.
Another literary giant referenced by Smith as she assembles her
fantasy festival is 18th century poet, visionary and artist William
Blake.
For SONGS OF INNOCENCE at the RFH on June 18,
Smith invites a range of diverse artists to come together to present
lullabies and songs of protest.
Already confirmed are Beth Orton, Sinead O'Connor and Kristin
Hersh, while Smith will perform her own musical interpretation
of Blake’s poems about chimney sweeps.
For her SONGS OF EXPERIENCE at the RFH on June
26, Smith has conceived a night of celebration of the work of
guitar genius Jimi Hendrix and the music that inspired him.
In addition to performance from Smith, confirmed so far is the
legendary Jeff Beck, himself an inventor of techniques and sounds
now common within the rock lexicon, as well as Flea and John Fruisciante
of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
This event will be the final performance in the Royal Festival
Hall before that venue is closed for major refurbishment.
Tickets for these events go on sale on Thursday, May 5 at 9am
from the South Bank Centre Box Office on 08703 808 300.
Or visit the website
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The full line-up
Saturday, June 11:
QEH: The Brian Jonestown Massacre + Ed Harcourt play
Sunday June 12:
QEH: Eels
Friday, June 17:
RFH: Rachid Taha with special guest Patti Smith
QEH: Yoko Ono
Saturday, June 18:
RFH: Songs of Innocence Protest Songs and Lullabies Feat.
Patti Smith, Sinead O'Connor, Beth Orton, Kristin Hersh (Throwing
Muses)
QEH: Billy Bragg
Purcell Room: An Evening with Richard Hell
Sunday, June 19:
RFH: Steve Earle & Patti Smith
Monday June 20 & 21:
QEH: Television
Wednesday, June 22:
QEH: The Coral Sea Feat. Patti Smith, Cat Power and Kevin
Shields (My Bloody Valentine)
Thursday, June 23:
RFH: Stand Bravely Brothers A homage to Berthold Brecht
Feat. Patti Smith, Marc Almond, Neil & Tim Finn, Antony &
The Johnsons, Dresden Dolls, London Sinfonietta
Friday, June 24:
QEH: Antony & The Johnsons
RFH: UK-US Folk Connections featuring Lenny Kaye,
Jonny Marr & The Healers, Roy Harper, Robyn Hitchcock and
Bert Jansch (Royal Festival Hall)
RFH Ballroom: Tibetan Monks & Sacred Dances
Saturday, June 25:
RFH: Patti Smith performs Horses With special
guest John Cale
QEH: Tinariwen
Sunday, June 26:
RFH: Songs Of Experience The work of Jimi Hendrix and
the music that inspired him Feat. Patti Smith, Jeff Beck, Flea
& John Frusciante (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) and many more
RFH L2 Foyer (Dogleg Bay) An Exhibition of Patti Smith's photos
Many more events RFH to be announced
Tickets go onsale at 9am on Thursday, May 5
Box Office : 08703 808 300
www.rfh.org.uk/meltdown
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