British singer‑songwriter Harry Styles has been officially appointed curator of the 2026 Meltdown Festival, organisers at the Southbank Centre announced Monday.
The festival, one of the world’s longest‑running artist‑curated music events, will take place from June 11 to June 21 at London’s Southbank Centre as part of the venue’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
Styles, 32, follows a prestigious lineage of past curators including David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Chaka Khan and Patti Smith, tasked with selecting performers and shaping the line‑up for the multi‑day event.
In a statement, the Grammy‑winning artist said he was “deeply honoured” to curate Meltdown, adding that his goal is to “share the music and art that I love and to celebrate the rich history of the venue.”
Organisers described this year’s festival as a “landmark” moment in the Southbank Centre’s history, emphasising the role of music in bringing communities together.
A full performance line‑up and ticket release information will be announced in the coming months.
The announcement coincides with Styles’ busy 2026 schedule: he is set to release his fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., in March and embark on a global tour beginning in May with dates in London, Amsterdam, New York, São Paulo, Mexico City, Melbourne and Sydney.
Meltdown Festival, first held in 1993, has become known for showcasing eclectic and often genre‑crossing performances, reflecting each curator’s unique artistic vision.