Global phenomenon Harry Styles is poised to take the reins of one of the United Kingdom’s most venerable cultural landmarks next summer.
The superstar has been officially named the curator for the 2026 Meltdown Festival. Over the course of 11 days, from June 11 to June 21, Styles will oversee a diverse tapestry of musical performances, art installations, and creative workshops. While the full roster of participants remains under wraps, the complete lineup is expected to be unveiled this spring.
Now entering its 31st year, Meltdown is hosted annually at London’s Southbank Centre and holds the distinction of being the world’s longest-running festival curated entirely by artists. The event utilizes the venue’s expansive campus, spanning multiple galleries and concert halls to create an immersive artistic takeover.
By accepting this role, Styles joins an illustrious lineage of previous curators that includes legends such as David Bowie, Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, Grace Jones, and Nick Cave, as well as more recent visionaries like Little Simz and The Cure’s Robert Smith.
A Milestone Performance and Vision
Beyond his duties as curator, Styles is scheduled to headline a marquee performance at the Southbank Centre’s iconic Royal Festival Hall. Specific details regarding this highly anticipated show are forthcoming.
“I’m deeply honoured to curate the Meltdown Festival, especially for the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary year,” Styles remarked in a statement. “My goal is to share the music and art that I love while celebrating the rich history of this venue. Music is a vital part of life that brings us together, and the Southbank Centre has been at the heart of that mission for 75 years.”
Jane Beese, the Southbank Centre’s head of contemporary music, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that Styles’ “warmth and instinct for collaboration” align perfectly with the festival’s ethos. She added that his vision will foster “connection, discovery, and joy,” reflecting the generosity of his artistic spirit.
What to Expect from Meltdown 2026
The 2026 program is expected to draw from a wide-ranging palette, blending pop, soul, and electronic influences with a spotlight on burgeoning British talent. In keeping with the festival’s community-driven mission, the schedule will also feature free public events specifically designed to engage and inspire younger audiences.
This curation news follows a landmark year for the festival in 2025, which saw Little Simz bring together a mix of established acts like The Streets and Jon Batiste alongside rising stars such as Mahalia and Lola Young.
The announcement serves as a prelude to a massive year for Styles. His fourth studio album, titled Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., is slated for release on March 6. This will be followed by his ambitious Together, Together global tour, which includes a monumental 30-night residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden this autumn.
