Since 1993, the illustrious Southbank Centre has celebrated its annual Meltdown event where a single artist curates a festival with a line-up of their choosing. Previous years have curated by Nile Rodgers, Grace Jones, and Christine & the Queens.
This year’s Meltdown sees the inimitable Chaka Khan taking the helm. Her legacy as the Queen of Funk needs little explaining. Rather than a church-centric, gospel upbringing like other iconic soul singers, Chaka’s influences owed more to jazz – hence the brassy, horn-like quality to her high notes. She started her career in the multi-racial band Rufus, quickly establishing herself as funk’s leading female. She then launched a successful solo career with a litany of funk, soul, and dance smashes including ‘I’m Every Woman’, ‘I Feel For You’, and ‘Ain’t Nobody’.
Khan will kick the festival off with a special ’50 years in music’ concert and will close the concert with an intimate performance of her ClassiKhan jazz album, backed by the Nu Civilisation Orchestra. She has enlisted soul, funk and R&B veterans like Mica Paris, Rahsaan Patterson, and Incognito alongside emerging talents Judi Jackson, Lady Blackbird, and Morcheeba. Also on the bill are queer icon Todrick Hall, the Speakers Corner Quartet & Guildhall Session Orchestra, the West African-inspired Balimaya Project.
The full line-up:
- 14 June – Chaka Khan: A Celebration of 50 Years in Music
- 16 June – Todrick Hall
- 16 June – Rahsaan Patterson
- 17 June – Speakers Corner Quartet & Guildhall Session Orchestra
- 19 June – Mica Paris
- 19 June – Incognito: 45th Anniversary Celebration
- 20 June – Judi Jackson
- 20 June – Lady Blackbird
- 21 June – Balimaya Project
- 22 June – Morcheeba
- 23 June – House Gospel Choir: Sunday Service
- 23 June – Chaka Khan & Nu Civilisation Orchestra: ClassiKhan
