Dua Lipa to curate London Literature Festival for Southbank Centre anniversary
Pop star Dua Lipa will curate the 2026 London Literature Festival through her Service95 brand, signaling a strategic shift for legacy cultural institutions seeking to leverage global celebrity to drive audience engagement and commercial viability.
Dua Lipa has unveiled the lineup for the 19th London Literature Festival, which she is curating at the Southbank Centre. The event runs from October 21 to November 1 and marks the 75th anniversary of the venue.
The programming is delivered in partnership with Service95, the media and book club brand Lipa launched in 2023. This collaboration highlights how legacy public arts institutions are increasingly integrating commercial celebrity brands to broaden their demographic reach and secure ticket sales.
The schedule features high-profile cultural figures, including a conversation with novelist Zadie Smith about her debut novel White Teeth. Musician Patti Smith will also appear to discuss her memoir Bread Of Angels, while Sudanese-Canadian artist Mustafa will speak about his poetry publication NOUR.
Additional guests include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, who will present her memoir I Choose My Beginning. Author Xiaolu Guo is scheduled to discuss the creation of fiction in the age of artificial intelligence, reflecting contemporary technological shifts impacting the publishing industry.
The broader programme also features a translated fiction showcase and an indie night celebrating the next generation of writers. These events aim to sustain the cultural relevance of London's literary sector while driving footfall to the Southbank Centre during a milestone year.
Mark Ball, artistic director of the Southbank Centre, noted that the venue has spent 75 years pairing emerging talent with global icons. He described Lipa as the perfect curator to help celebrate this anniversary, emphasizing her deep curiosity about the world.
Ted Hodgkinson, head of literature and spoken word, added that the programme reflects the full depth of her passion for books. By blending fierce new sensibilities with iconic writers, the festival seeks to honor the institution's roots while looking ahead to its future.
Lipa stated that curating the festival with her book club has been a true joy and she is proud of the programme they have created. She explained that reading has anchored her through every chapter of her life, from being the new kid at school to finding quiet refuge on tour.
The commercial rollout begins with ticket sales for Southbank Centre members on August 3 at 10am. This is followed by Service95 members on August 4, with the general public able to purchase tickets starting August 5, illustrating a tiered monetization strategy designed to reward brand loyalty.
