Little Simz reveals first acts for Meltdown Festival at London's Southbank Centre

Each year, Meltdown chooses a different musical act to direct the festival’s programme. In February, the Mercury Prize-winning artist was revealed as the curator of the 30th edition at London’s Southbank Centre.

Little Simz’ Meltdown will take place at the Thames-side location from 12-22 June. Ahead of the festival, she’s announced a smorgasbord of artists across genres.

Headlining the festival, Simz will perform at the venue’s Royal Festival Hall on the final day alongside Chineke! Orchestra, one of the six Resident Orchestras at the Southbank.

Simz will be celebrating the recent release of her sixth album ‘Lotus’ which comes out on 9 May. It’s her first full-length album since the superb ‘No Thank You’ in 2022 and her Mercury Prize-winning 2021 album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’.

Before Simz’ crowning show, the line-up at the Southbank Centre has now also been released. Kicking off the celebrations will be The Streets. The Mike Skinner-led project has been one of the most influential on the UK’s grime scene since his Mercury Prize-nominated debut album ‘Original Pirate Material’, released in 2002.

Grime gets more representation with a performance by MOBO Award-winning London-born rapper Ghetts.

It’s not all UK hip-hop though. Simz has programmed a performance from multi-award winning jazz pianist Jon Batiste, as well as shows from British-Colombian singer-songwriter Sasha Keable with Flames Collective and the vocalist and co-founder of Swedish group Little Dragon, Yukimi.

“My team and I are preparing 11-days of art, music, workshops and more. So many incredible artists have curated this festival so it's a true honour to be a part of it. Thank you to the Southbank Centre for having me. Meltdown 2025 the Simz way is going to be epic. I'll see you there,” Simz said.

Simz is also set to recognise the youth clubs that gave her her start in music. In the three months before Meltdown, a young producers project will see a selection of ambitious young creatives from across London “transform the site's public spaces into a playground of curated activity, events and showcases.”

“It’s hugely exciting to see a line-up that stretches from our home in London, with multiple artists from across the city, to global names coming to the Southbank Centre for one of our true highlights of the summer,” Mark Ball, Artistic Director, Southbank Centre said.

Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music for the venue added: “Little Simz' first taste of what's to come from her Meltdown hugely embodies the wealth of influences and inspirations across her work. Ranging from jazz, hip hop, R&B, electronic and soul with a line up of both renowned legends alongside the creators of the future, this is only the start for what's going to be London's go-to festival this summer.”

Southbank Centre has run Meltdown since 1993. Over the 29 previous editions, Meltdown has been led by a huge range of influential artists, from classical composer George Benjamin directing the first edition to David Bowie, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Yoko Ono, and Grace Jones.

Last year's edition of Meltdown was curated by American singer Chaka Khan, who featured performances from Emeli Sandé, Lady Blackbird, Bruce Hornsby, Incognito and more.