Harry Styles, the pop sensation, is set to curate the Meltdown festival at London's Southbank Centre, marking a significant milestone as the venue celebrates its 75th anniversary. This exciting announcement comes as Styles follows in the footsteps of Little Simz, who curated the 2025 event, and joins an esteemed list of previous curators, including Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers, and Robert Smith of the Cure. But here's where it gets intriguing: Styles, known for his pop-leaning style, will also perform an intimate gig, adding a unique twist to the festival's lineup.
In a statement, Styles expressed his honor and enthusiasm, stating, "I’m deeply honored to curate the Meltdown festival, especially for the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary year. My goal as the curator is to share the music and art that I love, and to celebrate the rich history of the venue."
The festival, running from June 11th to 21st, will showcase Styles' diverse musical influences, ranging from pop, soul, electronic, and rock to underground scenes and emerging young British talent. His recent single, 'Aperture', showcases his softer side in dance music, inspired by his memorable first experience of LCD Soundsystem. The festival will also feature a public program of interactive and participatory events, designed to engage young audiences across the UK.
Mark Ball, Southbank Centre's artistic director, praised Styles' curation, stating, "Harry Styles’s Meltdown sits at the heart of a 75th anniversary year that champions young people, their curiosity, and creative freedom."
This marks a significant shift in Meltdown's curation history, as Styles, despite his pop success, is the most pop-oriented artist to take on this role, typically held by alternative and underground artists. His tour, 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally', will make a record-breaking 12 stops at Wembley, each with a capacity of around 90,000 fans, while the Southbank Centre's main auditorium seats only 2,700, adding to the intimate nature of his performance.
The full lineup and ticket sale announcement for Meltdown will be revealed in the spring, building anticipation for what promises to be a memorable festival.
