Meltdown at Southbank Centre

The ever-iconic Chaka Khan, will curate the Southbank Centre’s 29th-Annual Meltdown Festival this June.

Recently announced headliners include Todrick Hall, the Speakers Corner Quartet and the Guildhall Orchestra, Incognito, Morcheeba, Rahsaan Patterson, Balimaya Project and Tawiah.

Past curators of the UK’s longest running, artist-curated festival have included Christine and The Queens, David Bowie and Grace Jones.

Meltdown Festival takes place 14th – 23rd June 2024 at the Southbank Centre.

Find out more about the festival here.

Words by Elliott Nielson

FRI 14 JUN, 11AM
Uncovering Careers in Music: Meltdown Edition
Come and meet some of the backstage heroes responsible for bringing Chaka Khan’s Meltdown to life
SOLD OUT

FRI 14 JUN, 6PM
Tell Me Something Good with Habibti Nation
Our Riverside Stage thrums with SWANA and Arabic sounds meeting Chaka Khan’s musical universe
FREE

FRI 14 JUN, 7.30PM
Les Amazones d’Afrique
The pan-African feminist supergroup brings a new sound and message from Africa for the world

FRI 14 JUN, 7.30PM
Chaka Khan: A Celebration of 50 Years in Music
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Trevor Nelson
The incomparable curator of this year’s Meltdown festival celebrates her biggest hits

FRI 14 JUN, 10.30PM
Norman Jay & Friends
It’s good vibes and uplifting energy all round with this late-night DJ line-up

SAT 15 JUN, 2PM
London Queer Soundsystem Day
Celebrate Chaka Khan’s gift to London’s queer dance floors through the decades at a free party
FREE

SAT 15 JUN, 7.30PM
Master Peace
Master Peace brings his weird, wonderful and cacophonous musical world to the stage

SAT 15 JUN, 9PM
Emeli Sandé
The incomparable singer-songwriter takes to the stage for this year’s Meltdown festival

SAT 15 JUN, 10.30PM
Adonis Afters
The cult queer rave throws the official after-party for London Queer Soundsystem Day (L.Q.S.D)

SUN 16 JUN, 1PM
Funk This with New Movementz UK
Compete or witness the best young dance talent go head-to-head for the crown
FREE

SUN 16 JUN, 2PM
Ancestral Communal Listening: A Chaka Celebration
Michael Mwenso leads an interactive listening journey into Chaka Khan’s biggest hits and deepest cuts
SOLD OUT

SUN 16 JUN, 7.30PM
Rahsaan Patterson
The singer bridges R&B, funk, jazz, gospel and electronica in this eclectic concert

SUN 16 JUN, 7.45PM
anaiis
Settle in for a stunning performance as anaiis reflects on Black motherhood

SUN 16 JUN, 9PM
Todrick Hall
Read our lips: don’t miss the master diva taking to the stage for an all-singing, all-dancing show

MON 17 JUN, 7.30PM
Speakers Corner Quartet & Guildhall Session Orchestra
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Kae Tempest
Experience this electrifying collaboration showcasing new compositions and orchestral reworks

TUE 18 JUN, 9PM
An Evening with Bruce Hornsby
The virtuosic singer-songwriter behind The Way It Is boasts a back catalogue full of sonic surprises

WED 19 JUN, 5.15PM & 6.45PM
Echoes with BALM Sound
Bathe in vibrations with this sound bath blending singing bowls, gongs and gentle percussion
FREE

WED 19 JUN, 6PM
Youth Voices: A Celebration of Chaka
Join the Southbank Centre’s very own Youth Voices choir to celebrate the music of Meltdown
FREE

WED 19 JUN, 7.30PM
Mica Paris
Join us for a powerhouse evening with Mica Paris, the vocalist whose career has taken her from a church to the charts

WED 19 JUN, 7.45PM
SIPHO.
The singer and songwriter takes us on a journey through the deepest parts of his inner world

WED 19 JUN, 7.45PM
Love What You Feel: Yoga with Karim x Adrienne
Relax into yoga with live classical music, taking inspiration from Chaka Khan’s meditative practice
SOLD OUT

WED 19 JUN, 9PM
Incognito: 45th Anniversary Celebration
The acid-jazz, funk and soul collective bring their infectious grooves to life

THU 20 JUN, 5.40PM
futuretense: Meltdown Special
This Meltdown edition of our free gig series features BIM, JaJa Kisses and Tyler Max.
FREE

THU 20 JUN, 7PM
Eye to Eye with Our Naked Truths
Celebrate the beauty of women and non-binary people of colour through life drawing and conversation
FREE

THU 20 JUN, 7.30PM
Judi Jackson
With a voice that demands to be heard live, the rising-star jazz vocalist takes to the stage at Meltdown

THU 20 JUN, 7.45PM
Reuben James
The rising star singer, songwriter and pianist takes to the floor for a night of jazz and soul

THU 20 JUN, 9PM
Lady Blackbird
Soak up the soul-stirring music of Lady Blackbird, with jazz-infused hits and soulful covers

FRI 21 JUN, 6PM
Through the Fire with Sisters in Dub
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Kinetika Bloco
The all-women chariot of fire reignites the sound system flare on the terrace
FREE

FRI 21 JUN, 7.30PM
Balimaya Project
Feel the fusion of West African rhythms and the vibrant sounds of London in this multi-genre concert

FRI 21 JUN, 9PM
WAR
Formed in 1969, the original street band fuses soulful sounds and a message of harmony

FRI 21 JUN, 10.30PM
Queer Bruk & Friends
The club night brings its creativity to the dance floor, with an unforgettable queer after-party

SAT 22 JUN, 3PM
Queer C*ntry
Saddle up for a day-long rodeo featuring a host of incredible cabaret and live music
FREE

SAT 22 JUN, 7.30PM
Big Joanie
The Black feminist punk band returns with a blend of 1990s riot grrrl and synth-heavy post punk

SAT 22 JUN, 8PM
Morcheeba
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Cardinal Black
Genre-mashing Morcheeba take on Meltdown with a fusion of downbeat, chill, electro-pop and soul

SUN 23 JUN, 1.30PM
Masterjam with Vibe Village
Witness London’s best vocalists and musicians rework Chaka Khan’s cuts in the ultimate masterjam
FREE

SUN 23 JUN, 7.30PM
House Gospel Choir: Sunday Service
The innovative choir presents a fusion of the biggest house, gospel and garage tunes to uplift and empower

SUN 23 JUN, 7.45PM
Peng Femme Jam
Make some music with a live-music jam session, highlighting and nurturing femme and non-binary talent

SUN 23 JUN, 9PM
Chaka Khan & Nu Civilisation Orchestra: ClassiKhan
Live with an orchestra, Chaka Khan presents ClassiKhan for the finale of Meltdown 2024