Ambient overlord Brian Eno has been named as the guest artistic director of this year’s Brighton Festival.

The music programme features Eno himself alongside luminaries like Philip Glass, Tony Allen, Underworld’s Karl Hyde, The Necks, The Books, Seun Kuti and more.

The Festival kicks off on May 1-2, with Apollo: This is for all Mankind. A live soundtrack of music by Eno will be performed by the Icebreaker Ensemble to the Al Reinert documentary of the Apollo space missions, with an introductory talk by Eno himself. Pedal steel guitar innovator BJ Cole, who’s worked with Bjork, John Cale and more in his time will be joining the Ensemble.

May 7 sees the Festival host This is Acappella!, which brings together Frank Zappa’s Persuasions with Seattle joker Reggie Watts.

May 9: This is Pure Scenius! will see Eno collaborate with Karl Hyde (Underworld), Leo Abrahams (collaborator with Grace Jones, Nick Cave and more), Jon Hopkins (modern ambient chap who co-produced Coldplay’s Viva la Vida) and Aussie avant-jazz kingpins The Necks over three consecutive performances spanning six hours in total.

May 14’s showcase is titled – wait for it – This is Afrobeat! and features Tony Allen, Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80. Also on the bill are Philip Glass, The Books, Roy Haynes, Anna Calvi and more. For more details, tickets, et cetera, visit the Brighton Festival homepage.

Photo taken from Boudist.com, credit Daniel Boud