First artists announced for Little Simz’ Meltdown at the Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre has announced the much-anticipated first wave of artists performing at Little Simz’ Meltdown. Taking place this summer from Thursday 12 – Sunday 22 June, 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 22 June and perform alongside 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 9 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 12 June. The Royal Festival Hall will also welcome 2025 BRIT Award nominee with the number one hit “Messy” Lola Young (17 June), MOBO Award-winning London-born rapper Ghetts (18 June), and the multi-GRAMMY® and Academy Award® winner Jon Batiste (21 June). In addition, the Queen Elizabeth Hall will host the British-Colombian singer-songwriter Sasha Keable with Flames Collective (14 June), and the vocalist and co-founder of Swedish group Little Dragon, Yukimi (18 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.