FKA Twigs to lead Southbank Meltdown 2027 and launch UK grassroots Hometown series
FKA Twigs will curate the Southbank Centre’s Meltdown festival in 2027, overseeing 11 days of programming from June 10 to 20 and also headlining one date. She is the event’s 32nd curator and plans a genre-spanning lineup reflecting London’s diverse musical influences. A first Hometown Meltdown will also take place, with Jamie Cullum, Kelly Lee Owens and others involved, supported by the Music Venue Trust.
FKA Twigs will oversee the Southbank Centre’s Meltdown in 2027, programming 11 days from June 10 to 20 and performing on one of them. She becomes the festival’s 32nd curator and intends a broad lineup drawing on London’s varied musical influences.
A first Hometown Meltdown will run from December 2026 to March 2027 in six UK cities, with two-day programmes in grassroots venues. Curators include Jamie Cullum, Kelly Lee Owens and Pauline Black, alongside Stewart Lee, Kathryn Joseph and Rhoda Dakar; the Music Venue Trust supports the project.
The announcement could broaden attention for grassroots music venues and local artists in the six host cities, potentially drawing new audiences to smaller stages and supporting regional live-music economies. It may also give Southbank audiences a wider view of London’s cross-genre influences, while the Hometown strand could strengthen links between established curators and community scenes. Its actual social effect will depend on ticket access, programming choices and how benefits reach venues and local participants.