Harry Styles will curate the 2026 edition of Meltdown Festival at London’s Southbank Centre, organisers have confirmed. The event will run from 11 to 21 June 2026 and forms part of the venue’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
The full lineup is expected to be announced this spring.
Harry, 32, said in a statement:
“I’m deeply honoured 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.”
He added:
“It brings us together and the Southbank Centre has been at the heart of it, providing easy access to great music for the past 75 years.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Southbank for having me, it’s really exciting for me to have this opportunity in such an iconic venue.”
Southbank Centre reaction
Southbank Centre Artistic Director Mark Ball said he was “thrilled” to secure one of the UK’s most recognisable artists for the milestone year.
Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music, added:
“His openness, warmth and instinct for collaboration feel perfectly aligned with the spirit at the heart of the festival.
“We’re excited to see his vision play out across the whole site, creating space for connection, discovery and joy, and inviting audiences into a Meltdown that reflects the breadth, playfulness and generosity of his artistic world.”
Following Bowie, Patti Smith and Massive Attack
Harry Styles joins a long list of past Meltdown curators, including David Bowie, Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Robert Smith, David Byrne, Yoko Ono and Massive Attack.
Each curator shapes the programme, selecting artists and collaborators across music and wider arts disciplines.
New album and 2026 stadium tour
The announcement arrives ahead of Styles’ forthcoming album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, due for release on 6 March. He is also set to embark on the Together, Together stadium tour, which begins in May and runs through to December 2026.
The tour includes residencies at Wembley Stadium and Madison Square Garden.
Further details on ticketing and the Meltdown lineup are expected in the coming months.
