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The festival, which runs from 11 to 21 June, will see Styles program a multi-arts line-up across the 11-acre site, drawing on influences that span pop, soul, electronic and rock, alongside emerging British talent. He will also headline a concert of his own as part of the programme.
Speaking about his appointment, Styles says: “I'm deeply honoured to curate the Meltdown festival, especially for the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary year. My goal as the curator is to share the music and art that I love, and to celebrate the rich history of the venue.”
The announcement arrives during a busy period for the 32-year-old, who releases his fourth album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally in March, before embarking on his Together, Together tour, which includes a run of Wembley Stadium dates from June .
The Worcestershire-born singer follows a lineage that includes David Bowie, Patti Smith, Yoko Ono and last year's curator, Little Simz .Meltdown, established in 1993, has built a reputation for staging one-off performances and unlikely collaborations. Past editions have seen Jeff Buckley play his final UK show at Elvis Costello's curation, the New York Dolls reunite for Morrissey, and Nick Cage, Grace Jones and Pete Doherty sing Disney songs at Jarvis Cocker's request.
Mark Ball, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, describes Styles as “an iconic British artist with a global influence whose impact extends across artistic disciplines, generations and borders.” He added: “Harry Styles' Meltdown feels like a natural expression of what the Southbank Centre exists to do, and we are delighted to become his creative playground in our anniversary year.”
Alongside the ticketed performances, the festival will include a public programme of interactive and free events aimed at younger audiences. Jane Beese, head of contemporary music at the Southbank Centre, said: “His openness, warmth and instinct for collaboration feel perfectly aligned with the spirit at the heart of the festival.”
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