The long-running Meltdown Festival is returning to the Southbank Centre this year
Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre is the world’s longest-running artist-curated music festival and has been curated by the likes of Yoko Ono, David Bowie, Nile Rodgers, Grace Jones, Christine and the Queens, Chaka Khan and Little Simz. Now Harry Styles is taking the reins for 2026, in what is the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary year.
Styles will be drawing on his broad range of musical influences and showcasing emerging British talent for his programme, as well as performing a headline gig himself. The fest will open with a show from Warpaint, with the likes of Stephen Fretwell, Erika de Casier, Kamasi Washington, Nilüfer Yanya, Getdown Services, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, bar italia, Orlando Weeks, Devonté Hynes, Yussef Dayes and Jon Hopkins also performing across the eleven days.
As well as Meltdown, Styles is doing a series of residencies for his Together, Together tour this year, including twelve nights at Wembley and 30 nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Speaking about his curatorship, Styles said: “Music is my life, every artist involved in this year’s Meltdown festival means so much to me, both as a fan, and a musician. It’s a true honour to host legends who have paved the way for the generations that follow them, as well as new acts that have inspired me to push my creative boundaries. There are some incredibly unique, one-of-a-kind performances planned and the Southbank Centre is such a special place to experience live music. I hope attendees and performers have an unforgettable time this year at Meltdown. I can’t wait!”
Key Information
Dates | Thurs 11th – Sun 21st June 2026
Address | Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
For more information | southbankcentre.co.uk
