Bodied: Dance Battle
Compete or witness some of the best dancers from the UK scene go head-to-head for this year’s Meltdown dance battle, curated with Kloé Dean.
Be ready for an all-style battle with guest battlers and live DJs taking us into the night, and the chance to win prizes and the Bodied: Dance Battle title.
There’s no need for special clothes or equipment – come as you are, whether you’re a seasoned dancer or it’s your first time shaking a leg to hip-hop and house.
Registration is open online now, or register at the top of the battle, from 2pm to 3pm.
Battle rounds
‘Might Bang, Might Not’ (prelims)
Time to show the judges what you got, it might bang, it might not…
‘Free’ (qualifiers)
Get ready: we’re in it for keeps and battling it out.
‘I love you, I hate you’ (challengers round)
Things are heating up. Love it or loathe it, make it count.
‘Point and Kill’ (quarter-finals)
There are multiple ways to get bodied in this round, so aim sharp, point, kill!
‘No Merci’ (semi-finals)
No merci to having an average semi. It wouldn’t be right.
‘Venom’ (finals)
Last chance to strike first in the belly of the beast. Come out on top or get bodied.
Kloé Dean is a visionary storyteller, choreographer, movement director, and performing artist rooted in hip-hop, funk and street dance. She brings powerful narratives to life across stage and screen, with work spanning theatre, film, TV, music, fashion and education. A passionate dancer from a young age, she began teaching at 15 and continues to deliver workshops, training and mentorship worldwide. Her work includes collaborations with artists including Meltdown curator Little Simz, and a lasting commitment to culture, creativity, and community.
Need to know
Online registration is now open and closes at 6pm on Friday 13 June. You can also register in person on the day until capacity has been reached.
16 – 17 year-olds who would like to participate must register on the day together with their parent/guardian.
For your visit
This event is held at the Riverside Terrace Southbank Centre
The Riverside Terrace is open all day, every day*.
*If you’re attending an event on our Riverside Terrace, check the event listing for start and finish times.
Plan your visit
The Riverside Terrace is an outdoor space overlooking the River Thames, on Royal Festival Hall, Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Through the glass from Riverside Terrace on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.