Artist and musician named guest director for 50th edition.

The UK’s Brighton Festival has named artist and musician Laurie Anderson as guest director for its 50th edition, set to run May 7-29.

Known for her use of technology in music - from her 1981 hit O Superman to her appointment as NASA’s first artist-in-residence - the US artist most recently garnered acclaim for her first feature film in almost 30 years - Heart of a Dog - which reflects on the deaths of her husband Lou Reed, her mother and her beloved dog.

Anderson, who previously attended Brighton Festival in 2011 and 2015, said: “I’m so happy to be serving as Guest Director of Brighton Festival in its historic 50th year. Our theme of home and place is especially relevant with so many people in the world on the move now looking, like all of us, for a place we can belong.

“I’ve been part of the Festival several times and it was exciting to watch the city become the heart of so much art. I’m looking forward to being part of it this year.”

Previous guest directors include visual artist Anish Kapoor (2009), musician Brian Eno (2010), Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (2011), actress and human rights campaigner Vanessa Redgrave (2012), poet, author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen (2013), choreographer, composer and performer Hofesh Shechter (2014) and award-winning author Ali Smith (2015).

The full programme will be announced on Feb 17.

Topics