Get involved (for free!) at David Byrne’s Meltdown

David Byrne’s Meltdown has begun, taking over the Southbank Centre for two and a half weeks of music, art and good times. Itching to join the fun? Try these hands-on activities for free.

Sound off

Exercise those vocal cords with the London Sacred Harp Singers, at a workshop on traditional a cappella community singing from the American South. Or belt out contemporary songs at the Big Sing. Prefer brass to booming voices? Lug your chosen instrument across Waterloo Bridge and take part in the Big Brass Busk. Utterly oom-pah-tastic.
Various venues, August 21, 22 and 28.

Pimp your ride

Brixton-based Bling Ya Bike has been teaching people how to customise their ride for over a decade. Bring your two-wheeler to their Meltdown workshop and cycle home on a dream machine.
Under Hungerford Bridge, August 23.

Bone up on musical history

This is your chance to nose through David Byrne’s Library. The sonic polymath has donated more than 250 music books to a library, which you can peruse at your leisure.
The Saison Poetry Library at Royal Festival Hall, until August 30.

…or book tickets for sold-out Meltdown shows

Okay, this one isn’t free, but it is your last chance to book for the biggest shows at Meltdown. For every sold out event in the series – including Atomic Bomb, Anna Calvi, Benjamin Clementine and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – the Southbank Centre has held back a few seats exclusively for Time Out readers. To book, call 0844 847 9910 before Wednesday evening and quote ‘Readers’.

Discover more cool stuff at this year’s Meltdown festival.