The first artists for Robert Smith's Meltdown festival have arrived

The Libertines, Manic Street Preachers, My Bloody Valentine, Placebo, The Psychedelic Furs, Alcest, The Anchoress, The Church, Kristin Hersh, Kathryn Joseph, MONO, The Notwist, and lots more are set to play the fest

Smith follows in the footsteps of M.I.A., David Bowie, Patti Smith, David Byrne, Nick Cave, Massive Attack, John Peel, Yoko Ono, and will curate an eclectic bill of art, music, film, and more. His Meltdown event will be the "first major festival to take place across the whole Southbank Centre site", with the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room both back in use after significant refurbs.

"Curating this 25th Meltdown festival is a dream come true, a fantastic experience..." says Smith. "Albeit getting 60 wonderful artists, including many of my all time favourites, to come together for 10 days in June is not without its challenges - as one of my predecessors noted, it is akin to figuring out a giant psychedelic puzzle... but as each invitee confirms, as each shimmering piece falls into place, I pinch myself - this is really happening... and the complete picture will undoubtedly be out of this world!"