Music fans are in for something special next summer, as Harry Styles will curate a London festival and headline a performance at an intimate venue during one of the U.K.’s most celebrated cultural events.
The global pop icon has officially been announced as the curator of the 2026 edition of the Meltdown Festival. The 11-day event will run from June 11 to June 21 and promises a carefully crafted mix of music, art, conversations, and creative workshops. The full lineup is expected to be unveiled in the spring, but anticipation is already building.
A Historic Festival with a Fresh Vision
Now in its 31st year, the Meltdown Festival takes place annually at Southbank Centre, one of London’s most iconic cultural hubs. Often described as the world’s longest-running artist-curated music festival, Meltdown stands apart for giving a single artist complete creative control over the programming.
The festival spreads across the entire Southbank Centre site, utilizing multiple venues, galleries, and performance spaces — including the renowned Royal Festival Hall. Each year, the curator shapes the experience, inviting collaborators and artists who reflect their personal influences and artistic identity.
Styles now joins an extraordinary list of past curators, including David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Robert Smith, David Byrne, Grace Jones, Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker and most recently Little Simz.
Styles to Headline a Special Southbank Show
Alongside curating the full program, Styles will also take the stage himself. In a major highlight for fans, Harry Styles will curate a London festival and headline a performance at an intimate venue, with a marquee show planned inside Royal Festival Hall. Further details about the performance will be announced in the coming months, but expectations are high for what could be a uniquely personal set in one of London’s most acoustically rich spaces.
Harry Styles on the Honor of Curating Meltdown
In a statement, Styles expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, particularly as the festival coincides with the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
He shared that curating the festival is about spotlighting the music and art that have shaped him personally, while honoring the rich legacy of the venue. For Styles, music is more than entertainment — it’s a shared human experience that brings people together. He described the Southbank Centre as a cultural heartbeat of London, one that has provided generations with access to powerful live music and artistic expression.
The opportunity to guide such an iconic festival, he said, feels both humbling and exciting.
Southbank Centre Welcomes a Global Pop Visionary
Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music at the Southbank Centre, praised Styles for his artistic openness and collaborative spirit. She noted that his cultural influence and global presence make him a fitting curator during such a milestone anniversary year.
According to Beese, Styles’ approach aligns perfectly with the ethos of Meltdown — connection, discovery, and joy. Audiences can expect a program that reflects his broad musical tastes and creative generosity.
What to Expect from the 2026 Lineup
Organizers have hinted that Styles will draw from a wide range of inspirations. The lineup is expected to include artists from pop, soul, electronic, and rock backgrounds, alongside emerging British talent. In addition, free public events will be programmed to engage younger audiences and expand access to live performance.
The 2025 edition, curated by Little Simz, featured an eclectic mix of artists such as The Streets, Jon Batiste, Mahalia and Lola Young, with a powerful closing performance alongside the Chineke! Orchestra. Fans are now eager to see how Styles will build on that momentum.
A Busy Year Ahead for Styles
Beyond Meltdown, Styles is preparing for the release of his fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., arriving March 6. He will also embark on his 2026 “Together, Together” tour, which will span seven major global cities and more than 50 performances — including an extended residency at Madison Square Garden.
With new music, a world tour, and a historic curatorial role on the horizon, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year in Harry Styles’ career. And as Harry Styles will curate a London festival and headline a performance at an intimate venue, fans can expect an unforgettable celebration of creativity at the heart of London’s cultural scene.
