Harry Styles Named 2026 Curator of U.K.'s Meltdown Festival

Harry Styles will take the reins of London’s Meltdown Festival in 2026, curating the 11-day event and headlining a special performance at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.

The global pop star has been announced as the curator of the 31st edition of the long-running, artist-led festival, which runs June 11 to 21 at the Southbank Centre. Billed as “the world’s longest-running artist-curated music festival,” Meltdown spans the venue’s full campus, incorporating multiple performance spaces, galleries and public areas. The full lineup of performers, installations and workshops will be revealed this spring.

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As curator, Styles will shape a wide-ranging program drawing from pop, soul, electronic and rock, alongside emerging British talent. The 2026 edition will also include free public events aimed at engaging younger audiences. In addition to overseeing the lineup, Styles will headline a marquee concert at Royal Festival Hall, with further details to be announced.

“I’m deeply honoured to curate the Meltdown Festival, especially for the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary year,” Styles said in a statement. “My goal as the curator is to share the music and art that I love, and to celebrate the rich history of the venue.

“We both share a passionate belief that music is a vital part of life. 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.”

| RELATED: Harry Styles is Back – “Together, Together” Tour: 50 Shows, Seven Cities Including 30-Date Madison Square Garden Residency | 

Styles joins a distinguished roster of past Meltdown curators including David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Robert Smith of The Cure, David Byrne, Grace Jones, Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker and, most recently, Little Simz.

Jane Beese, head of contemporary music at the Southbank Centre, said Styles’ appointment aligns with the festival’s collaborative ethos.

“It’s a real privilege to welcome an artist with the cultural impact and presence of Harry Styles as curator of Meltdown in our 75th anniversary year at the Southbank Centre,” Beese said. “His openness, warmth and instinct for collaboration feel perfectly aligned with the spirit at the heart of the festival.

“We’re excited to see Styles’ 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.”

Last year’s edition, curated by Little Simz, featured performances by The Streets, Jon Batiste, Mahalia and Lola Young, and concluded with Simz performing alongside the Chineke! Orchestra.

The Meltdown announcement arrives ahead of a busy year for Styles. His fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., is set for release March 6. He will also embark on his 2026 “Together, Together” tour, which spans seven major global cities and more than 50 shows, including a 30-night run at Madison Square Garden this fall.

A complete list of Styles’ upcoming tour dates can be found below:

Harry Styles | Together Together Tour 2026

May 16 – Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff Arena

May 17 – Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff Arena

May 20 – Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff Arena

May 22 – Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff Arena
May 23 – Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff Arena

May 26 – Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff Arena

June 4 – Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff Arena

June 5 – Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff Arena

June 12 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

June 13 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

June 17 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

June 19 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

June 20 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

June 23 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

June 26 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

June 27 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

June 29 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

July 1 – London – Wembley Stadium Connected by EE

July 17 – São Paulo – Estadio MorumBIS

July 18 – São Paulo – Estadio MorumBIS

July 31 – Mexico City – Estadio GNP Seguros

Aug. 1 – Mexico City – Estadio GNP Seguros

Aug. 26 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Aug. 28 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Aug. 29 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 2 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 4 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 5 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 9 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 11 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 12 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 16 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 18 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 19 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 23 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 25 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 26 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Sept. 30 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 2 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 3 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 7 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 9 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 10 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 14 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 16 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 17 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 21 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 23 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 24 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 28 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 30 – New York – Madison Square Garden

Oct. 31 – New York – Madison Square Garden+

Nov. 27 – Melbourne, Australia – Marvel Stadium

Nov. 28 – Melbourne, Australia – Marvel Stadium

Dec. 12 – Sydney – Accor Stadium

Dec. 13 – Sydney – Accor Stadium