Chaka Khan to curate Meltdown festival 2024
Yes, it’s true, there really ‘Aint Nobody’ like our latest Meltdown curator. None other than Chaka Khan takes the helm for the 2024 edition of our annual contemporary music festival.
For ten days, 14–23 June 2024, the iconic multi-award-winning singer will take over the Southbank Centre as she celebrates 50 years of her career in music. As well as showcasing her own incredible voice as a festival headliner, Khan will also curate dozens of live gigs which reflect her own joyous and diverse musical catalogue.
‘Get ready to experience the heart and soul of Meltdown 2024, where the magic of music meets the warmth of community.
I'm beyond excited to be a part of this legacy, bringing everyone together, young and old, for a summer celebration like no other. This festival isn't just about music, it's a feast for all your senses, a gathering of hearts and souls. The Southbank Centre's about to light up!’
It was as a singer with Chicago funk band Rufus that Khan’s vast vocal range and talent first came to prominence. But she was catapulted to real stardom with the 1978 release of her eponymous solo album Chaka, and her debut solo single from the album, ‘I’m Every Woman’.
Khan has gone on to carve her own path, releasing records as diverse as the landmark I Feel For You, the jazz standards of Classikhan with the London Symphony Orchestra, and the infectious contemporary disco sounds of Hello Happiness. She has also worked with some of the world’s most influential artists including Prince, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, and Miles Davis. A ten-time Grammy Award winner, Khan was last year inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
‘Whoever said "never meet your heroes" clearly never met Chaka Khan. Imagine ten nights of her fabulousness, wicked sense of humour and iconic genre-defying music spread across the Southbank Centre. I personally can't wait!’
Khan is the 29th curator of our Meltdown festival, which began in 1993, and has since grown to become one of the UK’s most anticipated annual music events. Past curators of Meltdown include legendary musical names such as David Bowie, Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers, Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, Robert Smith, M.I.A., David Byrne and, most recently, in 2023, Christine and the Queens.
The first artists to be confirmed as appearing as part of Chaka Khan’s Meltdown will be revealed in spring 2024.
Be the first to find out which artists will be playing at Chaka Khan’s Meltdown by signing up to our regular gigs email.
Chaka Khan’s Meltdown festival takes place at Southbank Centre 14–23 June, 2024. Acts will be announced in the coming months.
Get in the mood for our 29th edition of Meltdown by listening to this playlist of classic Chaka Khan tracks.