Harry Styles is expanding his presence in the London cultural scene, adding a curatorial role at the Meltdown Festival to his already packed summer schedule, which includes a record-breaking twelve-night run at Wembley Stadium. The musician will oversee the 31st edition of the festival, held at the Southbank Centre from June 11-21, 2026.
The Meltdown Festival, established in 1993, is notable as the world’s longest-running artist-curated music festival. Styles follows a distinguished line of curators including Little Simz, David Bowie, and Patti Smith. His involvement coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Southbank Centre, a landmark arts venue in London.
Styles stated his aim is to “share the music and art that I love, and to celebrate the rich history of the venue.” He emphasized a shared belief in the vital role of music, noting the Southbank Centre’s long-standing commitment to providing access to musical experiences for the past 75 years. He will also perform a concert as part of the festival.
Inside Harry Styles-curated London music festival
The festival’s programming will reflect Styles’ diverse musical influences, encompassing pop, soul, electronic, rock, and underground scenes, with a particular focus on emerging British talent. The selection process is intended to capture “the interests of the curator,” according to organizers.
Beyond the ticketed performances, the festival will feature a public program of interactive and free events. Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, described Styles’ involvement as a “natural express” given the venue’s history of providing a platform for artists to take creative risks and push cultural boundaries.
The announcement comes as Styles prepares to release his new album, Kiss All the Time: Disco, Occasionally, on March 6, 2026. This follows the success of his previous albums, Harry’s House (2022), which won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and Fine Line (2019) and Harry Styles (2017). His musical career began in 2010 as a member of the boy band One Direction, which released five albums between 2011, and 2015.
The Meltdown Festival’s selection of Styles as curator reflects a broader trend of musicians taking on expanded roles within the arts and culture sector. His involvement is expected to draw a diverse audience to the Southbank Centre, potentially boosting attendance and revenue for the venue. The festival’s economic impact on the surrounding area is also likely to be significant, given the anticipated influx of visitors.
The Southbank Centre, which also hosts the London Film Festival, is a key cultural hub in the city. The venue’s main auditorium seats 2,700, a considerably smaller capacity than the 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium, where Styles will be performing his twelve-night concert run this summer. This contrast highlights the different types of experiences Styles is offering his fanbase – large-scale stadium shows versus a more intimate, curated festival environment.
Details regarding the full lineup and ticket release dates for the Meltdown Festival will be announced in the spring. The festival’s organizers are anticipating high demand, given Styles’ popularity and the event’s established reputation within the music industry.
