Ray Davies Turns Back Time At London Festival

The former Kinks man is curating the event, which takes place at the Royal Festival Hall on 10-19 June.

Davies himself will open and close the festival, playing with a band at the first show and then closing the festival with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Crouch End Festival Chorus

The lineup includes a diverse range of acts including proto-punks the Fugs – playing their first London show since 1968 – Nick Lowe, the Sonics, Yo La Tengo, Madness and Lydia Lunch.

Non-musical events include Monty Python alumni Terry Jones and Michael Palin in conversation, a tribute to Factory Records legend Tony Wilson and Michael Eavis’s 'Glastonbury Life'.

But perhaps the most intriguing event will be a recreation of iconic 60s TV pop show Ready Steady Go!, which in its heyday featured stars including the Beatles, Marvin Gaye and Dusty Springfield as well as the Kinks. 

"When the Kinks performed You Really Got Me on there live, it put the record to No 1," Davies told the Observer. "There's something missing from our culture now, that kind of show. Yes, we have The X Factor, but Ready Steady Go! allowed the performers to be themselves, they weren't manufactured." The Meltdown show will include stars from the era and contemporary artists chosen by original TV producer and Springfield's manager Vicki Wickham.

Tickets are on sale on Tuesday at 9am from HERE