As the curator of the 31st Meltdown festival, Styles chose to partner with previous collaborator and Grammy-winning composer Jules Buckley. Styles noted that the opportunity to do “something really beautiful” with Buckley at the Southbank Centre was the perfect fit for his curation.
The concert aims to sustain creative access for young people at a critical time. With UK councils spending 76% less on youth services than in 2010, the proceeds will support the Southbank Centre’s free and subsidized programs, such as Youth Voices and Creative Health, which serve over 25,000 young people annually.
Prize Draw and Festival Highlights
To ensure fair access, tickets for the 1,900 seats will be allocated via a prize draw.
How to Enter: The draw opens today, May 6, 2026, at 6 am BST.
Cost: Entrants can purchase up to three entries at £20, £40, or £60.
Deadline: Online entries close at 12 pm on May 15, 2026.
Beyond the headline show, the festival (running June 11–21) features a diverse array of events. Highlights include a photography exhibition by young refugees, the reunion of New Young Pony Club, and a high-voltage closing night with electronic titans Soulwax. Other unique offerings include an unfiltered conversation between Tracey Emin and Deborah Frances-White, and a dedicated reggae series, Simmer Down x Meltdown. Artistic Director Mark Ball emphasized that this year’s festival combines extraordinary cultural moments with a clear intent to help the next generation of innovators.
