Last month, it was announced that Little Simz would be curating the annual brilliance of Meltdown Festival at the Southbank. Now, we not only have news that the rapper’s headline slot will be a stunning one-off performance with an orchestra, but we have the first names on her bill.
Has it come to this? Yes, it has. Mike Skinner and the crew are pushing things forward with a performance to make sure that you’re listening to The Streets at the Southbank Centre on June 12. Things will also get Messy later on as breakout star of the last year Lola Young plays a huge slot on June 17while no Double Standards will be on display as UK rapper and MOBO-award-winning Ghetts hits the big stage on June 18.
Credit: @southbankcentre, via IG
Also among today’s (March 24) announcement is British-Colombian singer-songwriter Sasha Keable with Flames Collective, Little Dragon vocalist Yukimiand the Academy Award® winner Jon Batiste.
For Little Simz herself, the Mercury Award-winning musician will take to the stage, on the final night of Meltdown as is tradition, to perform a one-off performance with Southbank Centre Resident Orchestra Chineke! Orchestra. The rapper is already known for the grandiosity of her performances, and the elevation of an orchestra will allow audiences to see tracks in a way they have never before. Fans can hear songs from her whole back catalogue, as well as martial from Lotusher sixth record which drops on May 9.
This is the first announcement, and you can expect more to be added to what is already a star-studded affair at the 30th edition of Meltdown!
Little Simz Meltdown Festival Lineup 2025 (so far)
June 12 – The Streets, Royal Festival Hall
June 14 – Sasha Keable, Queen Elizabeth Hall
June 17 – Lola Young, Royal Festival Hall
June 18 – Ghetts, Royal Festival Hall
June 18 – Yukimi, Queen Elizabeth Hall
June 21 – Jon Batiste, Royal Festival Hall
June 22 – Little Simz & Chineke! Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall
Meltdown Festival curated by Little Simz runs between June 12 – 22 this summer at the Southbank Centre. Tickets for Meltdown Festival events go on sale to members on Wednesday, March 26 at 10am, with general sale starting here at 10am this Friday, March 28.
