Little Simz Announced as Curator for the 30th Edition of Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre has revealed that British rapper, singer, and songwriter Little Simz will curate the 30th edition of its renowned contemporary music festival, Meltdown. The multi-award-winning artist follows in the footsteps of an illustrious list of previous curators, including David Bowie, Grace Jones, and Nile Rodgers.

Scheduled to take place from Thursday, June 12, to Sunday, June 22, 2025, Little Simz' Meltdown promises an eclectic, genre-defying program. In addition to personally performing at the festival, the rapper will present a handpicked selection of artists, ensuring an innovative and diverse musical experience. Alongside an electrifying main lineup, the festival will feature two weekends of free participatory programming, welcoming grassroots collectives and local organizations to engage the community in an inclusive cultural celebration.

Commenting on her appointment, Little Simz expressed her enthusiasm: “I'm super excited to be the 2025 Meltdown festival curator! My team and I are preparing eleven 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.”

Meltdown has earned a reputation for delivering once-in-a-lifetime performances and unique collaborations, and with Little Simz at the helm, the 2025 edition is set to be no exception. Renowned for her boundary-pushing artistry and introspective lyricism, Little Simz has cultivated a global fanbase through critically acclaimed projects such as Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and NO THANK YOU. Her curatorial vision for Meltdown is anticipated to bring together artists and creatives who challenge convention and redefine contemporary music.

The first wave of artists and performances will be announced in Spring 2025. With its commitment to bold artistic expression and community engagement, Meltdown 2025 under Little Simz’ direction is set to be an unmissable event at the heart of London’s cultural calendar.

Stay tuned for more updates as the festival approaches.