The first names for M.I.A.'s Meltdown Festival are here
Meltdown Festival, this year curated by the inimitable M.I.A., has got the first names for its dizzying bill.
Young Fathers lead the wave, with Swedish rapper Yung Lean also confirmed for his only European date of the summer. Mykki Blanco, Crystal Castles, Young M.A, Tommy Genesis, JD Samson, I Wayne, Dexta Daps, MHD, Mr Eazi, Afrikan Boy, and M.I.A. herself are all scheduled to perform.
As well as the music, there'll be an array of "free activities" spanning a variety of creative disciplines, including multimedia, visual arts, and film. There will also be a free all-day block party and a mass carnival - in collaboration with local communities - plus a range of events marking Refugee Week on 18 June.
"I hope you rate my curating. I'm happy and honoured to be a part of Meltdown amongst important artists who have contributed to keeping it real in the past," says M.I.A of the fest. "I’m bringing together new outlaw musicians from everywhere, who have all contributed to keeping things weird, exciting, opinionated, loud, emotional, brave or off the grid in the present climate. It's a layered 10 days of creative ideas, curated out of wanting to know these artists as well as knowing their art well. Hopefully my contribution fills these summer days with vibez, wild ruckus, controlled chaos and good times, with a touch of education - working together to break boundaries with clashing identities, beliefs, styles and sexualities. Welcome to London, Summer 2017."
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