The Cure‘s Robert Smith has been announced as the curator of Meltdown Festival for 2018.

The Southbank Festival event is now in its 25th year and will see Smith crafting an eclectic line-up of artists across ten nights this summer.

He joins a prestigious list of previous curators including the likes of Patti Smith, David Byrne, David Bowie, Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker and most recently MIA.


“I am honoured and excited to be curating the 25th Meltdown Festival”, Smith said in a statement.

“More than 30 of my all time favourite artists – some of the most exciting, inspirational, intense and influential performers of the last 40 years – will make sure this 10-night extravaganza at London’s Southbank Centre is the must-see event of the summer!”

This year, the festival will take place across the entire Southbank Centre site for the first time ever – including the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room.

Smith is also set to play a huge show with The Cure in Hyde Park this summer, marking 40 years since the release of their first single.

Renowned for their marathon, hit-packed, sprawling shows, this will mark the band’s first UK gig since their residency at London’s SSE Arena Wembley last winter.


Robert Smith and co will be joined by special guests – including the return of Interpol, along with Goldfrapp, Editors, Ride, Slowdive, and The Twilight Sad.

The full-line-up of artists for Meltdown Festival will be revealed in March.