M.I.A. will take on curation duties at this year's edition of the festival

M.I.A. is set to curate this year's Meltdown Festival at London's Southbank Centre.

She follows on from past curators such as Patti Smith, David Bowie, David Byrne and Guy Garvey, who was behind last year's festival. No acts have yet been announced for the festival, but M.I.A. has spoken of what she has planned.

"For me this Meltdown will be about putting on a musical week that shows different types of music which have inspired each other to exist," she said. "Genres that support other genres, redefining the concept of a melting pot. Respect the history, don’t live in it. I plan to bring together music’s best forward thinkers who have contributed to all our lives. When music acts as inspiration, it’s boundary-less."

Jude Kelly, Artist Director at the Southbank Centre said: "It’s not often that we encounter such an unbridled creative force, excelling in whichever field they try their hand. M.I.A. has not just broken barriers as a musician, creating music that is embraced the world over, but she has made art her rallying cry - and has stayed true to her conviction, as an artist, woman and citizen of the world."

Meltdown 2017 takes place at the Southbank Centre from June 9-18. For more information, head here.