The annual Meltdown event at the Southbank Centre allows a virtuosic musician to curate their own music festival. Previous curators have included Elvis Costello, David Bowie, and Patti Smith. This year, Nile Rodgers – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of disco/funk group Chic – is at the helm of the 26th Meltdown:
“In curating Meltdown I’m effectively creating my own live concert playlist of my favourite artists, new and old. I’m delighted to announce the addition of Jungle and my great friend Johnny Marr to the lineup as well as new artists like Kero Kero Bonito, anaïs and Nakhane. Alongside the incredible artists previously announced such as Eurythmics Songbook, Kokoroko, SOPHIE and CHIC every night is going to be special.”
Last night, Jungle – one of Rodgers’ ‘favourite bands in the world‘ – performed to a rabid audience on their feet for the entire set. Against a visually stunning backdrop (see images below), the seven-piece collective roared into action with the pulsing tune ‘Smile’ from their 2018 release For Ever. A warm, sweaty sound underpinned by disco beats, layered falsetto, and neo-soul flavour, the material was elevated by energetic percussion and great showmanship from founding members and main songwriters Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson. From the summery haze of ‘Heavy, California’, the heady, pleading ‘Pray’, and the nagging déjà vu of ‘Casio’, Jungle demonstrated that their buzzy status is much deserved.
Check out other events as part of Nile Rodgers’ Meltdown here!
(All photography courtesy of Victor Frankowski)
