FKA Twigs announced as Southbank's Meltdown 2027 curator, with special guests announced for 'Hometown' grassroots events across the UK

The first notes of a new chapter in London’s music scene rang out when FKA Twigs stepped onto the Southbank Centre stage at the NME Awards in 2020, her voice echoing through one of the city’s largest arenas. That moment, a mix of operatic power and avant‑garde rhythm, seemed to prelude the announcement that would come months later: she would be the curator for the 2027 edition of the storied Meltdown festival.

Twigs’ journey from the halls of Croydon College to underground cabaret clubs, to the docks’ warehouses where she danced until sunrise, is a narrative that the artist herself has woven into her own music. In her statement, she reflected on how London’s “cultural and artistic clash” has shaped her identity, a city where “cultures, sounds, stories and traditions from all over the world meet, collide and transform one another.” Those words set the tone for a festival that will run from June 10 to 20, 2027, across the 11‑acre Southbank site, with Twigs herself headlining one of the days.

The 32nd Meltdown curator will follow in the footsteps of icons such as David Bowie, Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Grace Jones, Christine and the Queens, Harry Styles, Nile Rodgers, Robert Smith, David Byrne, Yoko Ono, Anohni, Massive Attack, Little Simz and Jarvis Cocker. While the exact roster is still to be announced, the festival already boasts scheduled performances from pianist Lang Lang, rock icon Patti Smith and composer Philip Glass. Twigs promises a selection that mirrors the eclectic influences that have shaped her sound, bringing together artists from across musical genres and celebrating the creative energy that makes London a global arts capital.

In parallel with the London event, the 2027 season introduces the first ever Hometown Meltdown. This nationwide extension will run from December 2026 to March 2027, spanning six cities across the country. Each city will host a two‑day programme in grassroots venues, curated by a celebrated local artist who will host performances alongside regional talent and established acts from elsewhere. The initiative signals a deliberate move to democratise the festival experience, allowing community venues to host world‑class programming and fostering a deeper connection between local artists and audiences.

The announcement of Twigs as curator, coupled with the launch of the Hometown Meltdown, underscores a broader cultural shift: the recognition that the pulse of a city is felt most strongly in its neighbourhoods. By bringing a global festival into the heart of local communities, the Southbank Centre is not only expanding its reach but also affirming the importance of grassroots spaces in nurturing the next wave of creative talent.

As the dates for the line‑up and ticket sales are yet to be released, anticipation builds. Twigs’ role as curator promises to infuse the festival with her signature blend of experimental pop and visual artistry, while the Hometown Meltdown offers a platform for emerging voices across the UK. Together, they chart a future where London’s cultural landscape continues to thrive, fueled by diversity, freedom and an unyielding creative spirit.