The Meltdown festival - directed by David Bowie - starts on Thursday with a performance of Philip Glass's take on the music of the rock legend.

The London Sinfonietta's rendition of Glass's Low Symphony and Heroes Symphony - based on the albums by Bowie and Brian Eno - will be the first time the works have been performed together.

The eclectic music and arts festival is curated each year by a different heavyweight figure usually with a performance bent.

This year's festival includes sold out performances from Badly Drawn Boy, Suede, The Waterboys, Coldplay and a new incarnation of the Divine Comedy.

Among the more unusual acts on are Fischerspooner, The Langley Schools Music Project and comedian Harry Hill.

Headline show

Bowie has already spoken of his excitement at hosting the event, which is based at the South Bank Centre in London.

His headline show on 29 June will have support from The Dandy Warhols as well as a DJ set by Radio 2's Jonathan Ross.

Bowie has also persuaded the 1970s new wave pioneers Television - whose musical spirit is kept alive by acts such as The Strokes - to perform a show.

Gorillaz were due to play but had to pull out due to "an injury to a bandmember".

The cultural jamboree will also feature art events and a film festival.

The various acts for Meltdown will appear at the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and National Film Theatre.