Playlist: Harry Styles’ Meltdown

It began with Warpaint and ended with, well, unexpected silence after technical issues prevented Soulwax from being able to take the stage. But that was thankfully the only hiccup in 11 days that saw more than 20 artists appear at our venues under the banner of Harry Styles’ Meltdown.

And that of course includes the man himself, who stepped away from his sold-out run at Wembley for a comparatively intimate performance here in our Royal Festival Hall with the Jules Buckley Orchestra on Meltdown’s middle night. Styles was also spotted lurking in the wings at several other events during the week, giving his support to a fantastically mixed festival bill.

As well as Warpaint and Styles our Royal Festival Hall also played host to the intimate dreamy pop of Erika de Casier, two performances from jazz aficionado Kamasi Washington, and the pioneering Ethio-Jazz of Mulatu Astatke. It also hosted a blend of folk and ambient electronic sounds from Beverly Glenn-Copeland; experimental arrangements from the Devonte Hynes Ensemble (featuring Hynes, Adam Tendler, Cæcilie Trier and Tariq Al-Sabir); and the distinct sounds of drummer and composer Yussef Dayes.

And that was just what went down in our biggest room. Over in our Queen Elizabeth Hall we were lucky enough to host a night rooted in improvisation and musical exchange from Shabaka and special guests; a genre-blending set from Foushée; plus Nilufer Yanya’s blend of angular guitar work and intimate vocal moments. There were lo-fi textures and indie rock mix from bar italia; Orlando Weeks in his only solo live show of 2026; and Jon Hopkins, who was joined by Maddie Ashman and Leo Abrahams for a night of special improvised performances.

Our Purcell Room somehow managed to contain the raw eclectic live energy of Getdown Services as well as hosting the return of New Young Pony Club’s original line-up after a 12-year hiatus and the intimate songwriting of Stephen Fretwell. And there were joyous late night DJ sets in our Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer too courtesy of the shimmering synths and club vibes of Ninajirachi and the unmistakable blend of electronic punk and dancefloor energy of James Murphy.

And that was just the gigs. Harry Styles’ Meltdown also brought a number of free and participatory events to the Southbank Centre across its 11 days, including a host of great free outdoor music performances on our Riverside Terrace.

But we don’t have to wave goodbye to all that just yet. Instead relive the vibes by whacking on your headphones and throwing yourself into this fabulous four hour playlist featuring the artists of our 31st Meltdown.