Harry Styles has booked James Murphy, Jon Hopkins and Kamasi Washington for Meltdown

Warpaint will open the festival on 11 June at the Royal Festival Hall, marking the band’s only live show of 2026. Other opening weekend highlights include Stephen Fretlow, Ninajirachi and a one-off collaborative performance from Shabaka Hutchings with special guests.

The following week brings Erika de Casier, Foushée, Nilüfer Yanya, Getdown Services, Mulatu Astatke and Beverly Glenn-Copeland. Orlando Weeks will play his sole solo live show of the year on 19 June, while Dev Hynes presents a specially assembled ensemble blending contemporary composition with classical and experimental arrangements.

The final weekend features Yussef Dayes at the Royal Festival Hall, while Jon Hopkins performs improvised sets with Maddie Ashman and Leo Abrahams. James Murphy takes over the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer for a late-night DJ set on 20 June.

Alongside the ticketed gigs, a free programme of participatory events will run across the site, including outdoor performances, family workshops and appearances from Styles’ favourite non-musical artists.

“Music is my life,” Styles explains. “Every artist involved in this year’s Meltdown festival means so much to me, both as a fan, and a musician. It’s a true honour to host legends who have paved the way for the generations that follow them, as well as new acts that have inspired me to push my creative boundaries.”

Southbank Centre artistic director Mark Ball adds: “[The lineup breadth] speaks to Harry’s deep curiosity about music and his wide-ranging passions, moving fluidly across genres, generations and scenes.”

Styles becomes the 31st curator of Meltdown, following Little Simz (2025), Chaka Khan (2024), Grace Jones, David Byrne, Yoko Ono, Nile Rodgers, M.I.A., David Bowie and Patti Smith.