Elvis Costello, Seasick Steve and Broken Bells to Play Meltdown

Elvis Costello, Seasick Steve and Broken Bells are among the acts confirmed for Richard Thompson's Meltdown, the eclectic arts festival the folk legend will be curating at London's Southbank Centre this June.

Thompson himself presents a rare outing for his wide-ranging show '1,000 Years of Popular Song.'

The songwriter has also added a tribute to Kate McGarrigle, the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright, who died earlier this year. Put together by producer Joe Boyd, the night includes Emmylou Harris and Beth Orton, along with the Wainwrights.

Explaining his tribute to McGarrigle, the former Fairport Convention guitarist says, "Kate was a wonderful writer and singer, and to lose her at an early age leaves a big hole in our musical lives."

This year's Meltdown also sees the UK premiere of 'Cabaret of Souls,' an 80-minute song cycle composed by Thompson about a talent contest in hell that features a performance from Spinal Tap star Harry Shearer.

Running from June 11 to 21, Richard Thompson's Meltdown coincides with the World Cup, as John Peel's selection did back in 1998, so some stage times will be changed to accommodate screenings of key matches.