The Southbank Centre has announced the much-anticipated first wave of artists performing at Little Simz’ Meltdown.
Taking place this summer from 12th – 22 ndJune, Little Simz is assembling an outstanding line-up of artists that defy genre, forge new musical ideas and reflect the expanse of Little Simz’ captivating body of work.
Little Simz, the curator of the 30th edition of Meltdown, will play a unique, one-off special performance in the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 22nd June, performing with Southbank Centre Resident Orchestra Chineke! Orchestra. Reputed for her inimitable live performances, Simz will play hits from her stellar catalogue of music including material from her upcoming sixth studio album Lotus, set for release on 9th May via AWAL Recordings.
Kicking off this year’s Meltdown in the Royal Festival Hall will be the legendary Mike Skinner-led project The Streets, performing on Thursday 12th June. The Royal Festival Hall will also welcome 2025 BRIT Award nominee with the number one hit “Messy” Lola Young (17th June), MOBO Award-winning London-born rapper Ghetts (18th June), and the multi-GRAMMY® and Academy Award® winner Jon Batiste (21st June). In addition, the Queen Elizabeth Hall will host the British-Colombian singer-songwriter Sasha Keable with Flames Collective (14th June), and the vocalist and co-founder of Swedish group Little Dragon, Yukimi (18th June).
London’s youth clubs have birthed incredible talent such as Little Simz, and this tradition will be carried on at Meltdown as the Southbank Centre will build a unique one-off young producers project for the festival. Over the next three months in the lead up to Meltdown, a selection of young producers hailing from all corners of London will prepare to transform the site’s public spaces into a playground of curated activity, events and showcases that will run during the festival. The programme will spotlight young people at the heart of the events, and reflect Little Simz’ ongoing mission into supporting new talent.
Commenting on curating this year’s Meltdown, Little Simz said:
“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.”
Tickets go on sale to members on Wednesday 26th March at 10:00am, and to the general public on Friday 28th March at 10:00am via southbankcentre.co.uk.
Further artists performing at Little Simz’ Meltdown will be announced in due course, along with details of the free public programme during the festival.
