Harry Styles Takes Over London's Meltdown Festival

Harry Styles is stepping into a new artistic role as the curator for the Southbank Centre's Meltdown festival, scheduled for June 2026 in London. The renowned artist will helm the iconic venue for 11 days, crafting a diverse program of music and art, and will also headline the festival himself. This endeavor marks a significant career development for the 32-year-old hitmaker. Styles follows in the illustrious footsteps of past Meltdown curators such as David Bowie, Nile Rodgers, Grace Jones, and Yoko Ono. He will take the reins just days before commencing his extensive 12-show run at London's Wembley Stadium, a new record for the venue. Styles conveyed his deep honor in curating the festival, particularly during the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary year. He aims to share cherished music and art, celebrating the venue's heritage and the unifying power of music. The festival is set to run from June 11 to June 21, 2026, with the full lineup and ticket release dates to be announced in Spring 2026. The program will include interactive and free events designed to engage younger audiences across the UK, reflecting contemporary cultural experiences. Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, lauded Styles' global influence and his ability to transcend artistic disciplines and generations. He highlighted that Styles' involvement perfectly aligns with the Southbank Centre's mission to provide a platform for artists to take creative risks and push cultural boundaries, especially within their 75th-anniversary celebrations championing youth creativity. This year's Meltdown festival is particularly significant as it coincides with the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary, a milestone celebrating its enduring contribution to arts and culture in the UK. Meltdown, established in 1993, holds the distinction of being the world's longest-running artist-curated music festival. The festival aims to engage young people with interactive events, fostering their curiosity and creative freedom. This directorial debut by Styles comes after he added two extra dates to his 'Together Together' tour at Wembley Stadium due to high demand, ultimately performing a record 12 times, surpassing Coldplay's previous record of 10 shows. Ticket prices for his tour ranged from £44 to £725 for VIP packages, sparking some fan criticism regarding their cost.