2018 is the year to celebrate utterly the career of The Cure. The band will celebrate its fortieth anniversary – forty years of releases at least, they actually formed in 1976. From 1978 they became one of the most recognizable, successful and influential artists operating in the post-punk and goth genres, although their combined output also strays into much more cheerful new-wave and even pop territory.

Robert Smith of The Cure, courtesy of Meltdown Festival 2018

After four decades of publishing music and playing worldwide, The Cure’s celebration this year will see them headlining Saturday’s events at the British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park in July. It will be their only European show of the anniversary year – but not the only UK event that lead singer Robert Smith will be involved in.

“Each year we welcome an iconic artist to Southbank Centre to curate their own personal festival; showcasing their interests and influences on our stages.”

He has been honoured with the role of Curator at the Southbank Centre’s Meltdown Festival, following in the footsteps of such definitive artists as Nick Cave, Patti Smith and David Bowie. He will invite over thirty artists to play across ten nights from 15 – 24 June in the capital, which promises to be a fascinating carnival of those bands and performers that figure so highly in Smith’s estimation.

It will be a joint celebration as the eclectic festival will also be celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. The line-up will be announced soon, likely in March.