Massive Attack will be the artistic directors of this year's Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre.

The duo, seen as among Britain's most influential and innovative musicians, promised to give the event a hard political edge.

They will be the first band to curate the annual festival. Up to now, individuals have always been chosen - including John Peel, David Bowie, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Morrissey, Patti Smith and Jarvis Cocker.

Meltdown, which will be held between 14 and 22 June, is one of highlights of the national music calendar.

The concert halls and spaces of the South Bank, including the Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall, are taken over by an eclectic programme. It gives its directors the chance to devise their dream line-up of events.

Southbank bosses announced their choice today. Massive Attack is currently comprised of Robert Del Naja (3D) and Grantley Marshall (Daddy G).

In a statement, they said: "It's an honour to host Meltdown and to be in such inspiring company as its previous curators. In addition to the music, we want this year's festival to have a strong political and visual element to reflect our influences and obsessions." Last year the pair played two benefit gigs for the Hoping Foundation, a charity helping Palestinian children in refugee camps.

Massive Attack formed in the late Eighties. Their 1991 debut album Blue Lines was hailed as a classic. Mixing genres including soul, reggae, and hiphop, with a psychedelic edge, the album was credited with sparking the British "trip-hop" scene.

Their live shows have a strong visual element and their cover art has also received praise. They have collaborated with artists including Madonna, Sinead O'Connor and Damon Albarn.

Glenn Maxx, producer of contemporary culture at Southbank, said: " Massive Attack embody the promiscuous intermingling of late 20th-century music. Technology enabled these sonic explorers to send UK dancehall culture into a state of hallucinatory bliss. Few artists could throw a better party."

The full line up will be announced later this month.

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