Richard Thompson to Curate Meltdown 2010

This summer's festival season has just shifted up a gear with news that celebrated guitarist Richard Thompson is set to follow in the footsteps of David Bowie, Morrissey and Patti Smith by acting as artistic director at this year's Meltdown Festival. Held at London's Southbank Centre, the event will run from June 11-20.

Thompson is probably best known as a founding member of influential electric folk band Fairport Convention. Since leaving the group in 1971, he's gone on to forge an incredibly successful solo career and such are his skills as a guitarist that he's worked with John Martyn, Al Stewart, Nick Drake and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.

Speaking of his appointment, Thompson said: "I am very excited to be hosting this year's Meltdown at Southbank Centre. The wide-ranging programme reflects many of my interests and influences across many musical, visual and literary styles, and should provide some unique moments, unusual collaborations and juxtapositions. All this in the place where I saw my first concert in 1961-- such an honour!"

No acts have yet been named but given the nature of the event and Thompson's own varied music tastes, it's a safe bet that the line-up will be more than a little varied. More information is available on the South Bank's website.