LONDON, UK – The Southbank Centre has today announced the initial wave of artists set to perform at Harry Styles’ curated Meltdown festival, taking place from June 11 to 21, 2026, as a cornerstone of the Centre’s 75th-anniversary celebrations.
Curated by the global superstar Harry Styles, this year’s Meltdown promises a diverse musical journey, spanning electronic, jazz, pop, and experimental genres across the Southbank Centre’s iconic venues. A significant highlight will be Styles himself, performing a headline show at the Royal Festival Hall on June 16, 2026, with further details to be revealed shortly.
Styles expressed his profound connection to the festival, stating, “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!”
The festival kicks off on Thursday, June 11, with Warpaint delivering their only 2026 performance at the Royal Festival Hall, setting an immersive and atmospheric tone. The opening weekend continues with Stephen Fretwell on June 12 in the Purcell Room, followed by Ninajirachi’s late-night set of shimmering synths and club energy in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer. Shabaka Hutchings will also present a unique collaborative performance rooted in improvisation.
Saturday, June 13, will see Erika de Casier filling the Royal Festival Hall with intimate, dreamy pop, while Fousheé brings a genre-blurring set of alternative R&B, rock, and experimental sound to the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
On Sunday, June 14, Kamasi Washington will present two distinct performances at the Royal Festival Hall: “Jazz Legends Reimagined” and “Fearless Movement Live.” Concurrently, Nilüfer Yanya will captivate audiences in the Queen Elizabeth Hall with her angular guitar work and intimate vocals.
Beyond Styles’ headline performance on June 16, the week will feature Getdown Services in the Purcell Room. Wednesday, June 17, marks the return of Mulatu Astatke to the Royal Festival Hall, showcasing his pioneering Ethio-jazz sound.
Thursday, June 18, brings Beverly Glenn-Copeland to the Royal Festival Hall with a deeply personal blend of folk, ambient, and electronic music. Bar Italia will offer their genre-blurring sound in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. On Friday, June 19, Orlando Weeks will perform his only solo live show of 2026, combining music and visual storytelling, while the Devonté Hynes Ensemble will present a special performance blending contemporary composition and classical instrumentation at the Royal Festival Hall.
The final weekend, beginning Saturday, June 20, features Yussef Dayes at the Royal Festival Hall and Jon Hopkins, joined by Maddie Ashman and Leo Abrahams, for improvised performances in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. James Murphy will close the weekend with a late-night set in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer, bringing his signature electronic, punk, and dancefloor energy.
In addition to the musical acts, a free program of participatory events will unfold across the site, inviting audiences of all ages to engage with appearances from Styles’ favorite non-musical artists, outdoor performances, and family-friendly workshops.
Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, lauded Styles’ curation, remarking, “Their breadth speaks to Harry’s deep curiosity about music and his wide-ranging passions, moving fluidly across genres, generations and scenes. What’s striking is the sense of connection behind the programme: you can feel the care and intent in every choice.”
Meltdown, established in 1993, is a celebrated fixture in the UK’s cultural landscape, known for inviting artists to curate a program that reflects the creative energy of the moment. Harry Styles joins a prestigious list of past curators, including Little Simz (2025), Chaka Khan (2024), Grace Jones, David Byrne, Yoko Ono, Nile Rodgers, M.I.A., David Bowie, and Patti Smith.
Harry Styles’ Meltdown is a key event in the Southbank Centre’s 75th-anniversary program, which also includes Danny Boyle’s “You Are Here” takeover, Dua Lipa’s London Literature Festival, and Anish Kapoor’s return to the Hayward Gallery.
Tickets for Harry Styles’ Meltdown go on sale to Southbank Centre Members on Thursday, April 9, and for general sale on Friday, April 10, 2026. Further line-up details and on-sale information for Harry Styles’ headline gig will be announced soon.