Simz will be joined onstage by the Chineke! Orchestra, one of Southbank’s six Resident Orchestras. Made up of primarily black and ethnically diverse musicians, it strides to champion diversity in classical music.

Simz has also curated the lineup for this year, hand-picking a number of artists to perform, including The Streets, Lola Young, Ghetts, Jon Batistse and Sasha Keable. In a press release, Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music at Southbank shared her excitement for Little Simz Meltdown Festival plans: “Ranging from jazz, hip hop, R&B, electronic and soul with a lineup 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.”

Simz will be playing hits from her catalogue as well as new tracks from her upcoming album, ‘Lotus’. Throughout her career, her production has featured live instrumentation and orchestral elements, most notably on her fourth album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’. The grand textures of that release were admired by critics, with Pitchfork saying: “The arrangements here are glorious: huge swathes of string and horn, cascading drums, choral flourishes. These songs luxuriate in their own richness.”

Around a month ago in February, Simz announced her new album ‘Lotus’, which is scheduled to release on May 9 2025. Alongside the announcement, she released a single from the upcoming album called ‘Flood’, featuring Obongjayar and Moonchild Sanelly. With a striking cinematic, black-and-white video, the rock-tinged, tension-building track sees Simz reel off valuable lessons in navigating fame as well as some confident brags: “Talk nice, but my silence is louder / Spend ’nuff, but my finances louder”

Simz had a busy 2024, a year which saw her praised for her standout performance at Glastonbury, honoured with a MOBO award, and named one of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Top Artists for the year. She released her “Drop 7” EP last February to critical acclaim. She also made a couple of guest appearances, on Sampha’s “Satellite Business 2.0”, Coldplay’s “We Pray” and Wretch 32’s “Black and British”.

In December she dropped the single ‘Hello, Hi”, teasing to fans that new music was on the way. After some cryptic social media posts, she announced that her new album was on the way.

Tickets for Meltdown 2025 will go on sale to Southbank Centre members tomorrow (Wednesday, March 26) at 10am, and to the general public on Friday (March 28) here.

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MELTDOWN.

I’ll be curating Meltdown Festival in London this summer at The @southbankcentre !! Over 11 days there will be live performances, panel talks, workshops, DJs & more. Gonna be epic thoooo. Can’t wait, more announcements soon

Shot by Thibaut Grevet pic.twitter.com/FBfqb5FhC5

— Little Simz (@LittleSimz) February 12, 2025

Born in London, Little Simz has rapidly emerged as one of the most innovative voices in the UK music scene. Known for her incisive lyricism and genre-defying sound, she has captivated audiences with a blend of introspective storytelling and bold, forward-thinking production. Her chart-topping single ‘Introvert‘ not only resonated with fans but also cemented her reputation as an artist capable of bridging deep personal narratives with infectious, contemporary beats.

As she continues to evolve, the rapper’s influence on the UK music landscape remains profound and her appointment is seen as a natural evolution for the festival, aligning with its longstanding tradition of showcasing innovative artistry and challenging musical boundaries. Additionally, a new album is rumoured to be on the way.

The 2024 Meltdown Festival, curated by the legendary Chaka Khan, took place from June 14 to June 23, 2024, at London’s Southbank Centre. Celebrating her 50-year career, Chaka Khan both opened and closed the festival with performances at the Royal Festival Hall. The opening night featured her greatest hits, including classics like ‘Ain’t Nobody‘ and ‘I’m Every Woman‘. Other acts included the British singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé and the feminist punk band Big Joanie.

Fans are eagerly anticipating the fresh, diverse lineup, that is expected to be announced later in the spring, to reflect Little Simz’s dynamic approach and commitment to creative exploration. As the countdown to June 2025 begins, all eyes are on Southbank Centre, where the fusion of legacy and contemporary vision promises to deliver a truly unforgettable celebration of music and art. For more information, visit the Meltdown Festival’s page on the Southbank Centre’s official website.