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.As curator of the 30th edition of Meltdown, Little Simz will give a unique, one-off special performance at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, June 22, alongside the Southbank Centre Resident Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra. Known for her incredible live performances, Simz will showcase hits from her extensive catalogue, including material from her upcoming sixth studio album, “Lotus,” set for release on May 9 via AWAL Recordings.
Kicking off this year’s Meltdown at the Royal Festival Hall will be the legendary Mike Skinner-led project, The Streets, performing on Thursday, June 12. The venue will also welcome 2025 BRIT Award nominee Lola Young, known for her number one hit “Messy,” on June 17, MOBO Award-winning rapper Ghetts on June 18, and multi-GRAMMY® and Academy Award® winner Jon Batiste on June 21. Additionally, the Queen Elizabeth Hall will host British-Colombian singer-songwriter Sasha Keable with Flames Collective on June 14, and Yukimi, the vocalist and co-founder of Swedish group Little Dragon, on June 18.
London’s youth clubs have produced incredible talent, including Little Simz, and this tradition will continue at Meltdown. The Southbank Centre is launching a unique one-off young producers project for the festival. In the three months leading up to Meltdown, a selection of young producers from across London will prepare to transform the site’s public spaces into a playground of curated activities, events, and showcases that will run during the festival. This program will place young people at the forefront of the events and align with Little Simz’s ongoing mission to support new talent.
In her comments 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 honor 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.”
Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music, Southbank Centre said: “Little Simz’ first taste of what’s to come from her Meltdown hugely embodies the wealth of influences and inspirations across her work. Ranging from jazz, hip hop, R&B, electronic and soul with a line up of both renowned legends alongside the creators of the future, this is only the start for what’s going to be London’s go-to festival this summer.”
For further information on the programme, please visit the Southbank Centre website.
Little Simz Image Credit© Thibaut Grevet/ Chineke! Orchestra image Credit Chuko Cribb/ Jon Batiste image Credit Jen Rosenstein Courtesy of Southbank Centre
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