Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall
The essential concert series
Night 6:
A special Erased Tapes event:
Penguin Cafe
Daniel Brandt
Douglas Dare
Hatis Noit
www.teenagecancertrust.org/gigs
Tickets
Saturday 29th March: A rapt audience enjoyed “a night of music like the Royal Albert Hall has never seen before” as Erased Tapes took over for the night in support of Teenage Cancer Trust.
It was a bill of experimental – and truly inspiring – music featuring Penguin Cafe, Douglas Dare, Daniel Brandt and Hatis Noit.
Jamie Johnson, head of music and entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “This was a night of music like the Royal Albert Hall has never seen before – from otherworldly vocal soundscapes to rich beats to a joyous orchestral celebration. This venue has heard so much but there is always more music to explore and we’re delighted to be pushing the boundaries in this year’s concerts.
“Each year it is inspiring to see Teenage Cancer Trust receiving support from every corner of the music world – and that support is vital. I see firsthand the impact this charity has on the lives of young people, and the Royal Albert Hall shows are the foundation for everything we do. Its success is only possible thanks to the support of artists, managers, agents, promoters, crew, and our generous audiences.”
This year’s Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall series runs from March 24-30, including The Who; The Corrs; James Arthur; a night of comedy hosted by Micky Flanagan; and Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols.
Saturday opened with a striking figure in red taking to the famous stage, weaving a tapestry of sound, both alien and all too human. Hatis Noit uses her voice to build loops that create the sounds of words and the natural world, rather than singing in any specific language. It is operatic and evocative, wrapped in a thunder that echoes around the famous hall. To end her set she stepped away from the microphone and projected out into the hall, drawing an ovation from the crowd.
Next up was London-based German composer, drummer and filmmaker Daniel Brandt, who treated music fans to an exclusive preview of his brand new multimedia spectacle Without Us, which will premiere in full at the Barbican Hall on April 24.
It is immersive stuff, Brandt pausing only to greet the crowd: “This is actually the first time we’re doing this new project – we only booked it two weeks ago. We’ll keep playing. Thanks for the invite. Enjoy.”
The pummelling soundtrack came from Brandt and another drummer, punctured by the roar of trombone, synths and bass. At times the atmosphere is industrial but the live rhythm section means the music and visuals remain organic.
Douglas Dare was back behind the piano after a recent sojourn into dance music. It is virtuoso playing and songwriting, the Royal Albert Hall silent but for his pure voice and fingers on the keys.
He said: “This next song is called ‘Heavenly Bodies’ and I would like to dedicate it to Teenage Cancer Trust. Thank you so much for inviting us all here tonight. This song is for them.”
The song is a sorrowful nursery rhyme that wanders far beyond the confines of a bedtime tune.
“I would like to play a song that I haven’t played for anyone yet apart from my boyfriend. He’s the only one that’s heard it. It’s called ‘Nightclub’.”
The title may hint at the disco but it is rather a beautiful piano ballad. Douglas took a moment to take in the surroundings, say ‘hi’ to his mum and get the audience to produce notes to sample and drone behind stunning closing song ‘Red Arrows’.
A nine-piece Penguin Cafe kicked straight into their headline set with the unmistakable ‘Perpetuum Mobile’, a couple of penguin masks on show.
The band is led by Arthur Jeffes and is a continuation and development of the work of his father Simon’s Penguin Cafe Orchestra for 25 years from 1972. The music is uplifting and accessible, and the audience was hooked with infectious melodies like ‘Telephone and Rubber Band’ and the bluesy bluegrass of ‘Dirt’.
There is no act quite like Penguin Cafe. Who, for example, would tell a story about how Greek mathematician Pythagoras hated beans to explain their instrumental track ‘Bean Fields’?’
Arthur took a moment to thank Erased Tapes for its support and for rereleasing Penguin Cafe’s debut record, A Matter of Life… before playing album track ‘Landau’.
Each piece has a story: “The next is also from two albums ago when we were into writing about penguins, and we began writing about individual penguins, and there was one in particular that we decided sounded like the theme tune to a 1970s TV detective show and it’s called ‘Chapter’.”
Next up was Penguin Cafe’s take on Simeon Mobile Disco’s ‘Wheels Within Wheels’ and then the imposing weight of ‘Rescue’.
With irresistible songs like ‘Music For a Found Harmonium’ in their arsenal, there wasn’t a soul in the building who wasn’t fully in the Penguin Cafe world come the end of the night.
Kate Collins, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We are delighted that some of the biggest names from across the music, and entertainment industry are performing at this year’s Teenage Cancer Trust gigs at the Royal Albert Hall. We couldn’t be more grateful for their commitment to raising vital funds for young people with cancer.
“These concerts, brainchild of – and driven by – the legendary Roger Daltrey since 2000, have raised a phenomenal £34 million to fund Teenage Cancer Trust’s work across the UK – making our specialist support possible across the UK so that young people with cancer get the expert, individual care and support they need at this unique and critical stage of their lives.
“These gigs would not exist without Roger, who remains a tireless Honorary Patron for the charity and is unstoppable in his support for young people with cancer.
“Teenage Cancer Trust exists because cancer care wasn’t made for young people. Without us, a young person diagnosed with cancer today would find themselves lumped together with small children or much older adults. It’s only thanks to our supporters that we can continue to be there for every young person who needs us.
“We’re deeply thankful to everyone who is involved in making these concerts possible—from the artists and the teams to the people who buy tickets to the shows.”
As ever, the Ultimate Backstage Experience has been running all this week for young people from across the country, who are being supported by Teenage Cancer Trust. Every day, these groups visit the Royal Albert Hall to enjoy an unforgettable experience. From the moment they arrive, they enjoy access and opportunities that money can’t buy, before taking their place in some of the best seats in the house to watch the shows in style.
The shows are also proudly supported by American Airlines, Metro, Absolute Radio, S.J.M. Concerts, Twickets, and the Royal Albert Hall.
Aldi, which has partnered with Teenage Cancer Trust since 2017, and raised over £11 million for the charity to date is the headline sponsor for this year’s Royal Albert Hall series. Domino’s, which has partnered with Teenage Cancer Trust for ten years and has raised £8 million for the charity, is the official sponsor of the Ultimate Backstage Experience.
Royal Albert Hall 2025 Show Dates:
Monday, March 24: Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols plus special guests Kid Kapichi and The Molotovs
Tuesday, March 25: A night of comedy hosted by Micky Flanagan with Scott Bennett,
Finlay Christie, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Jack Skipper + Josh Widdicombe
Wednesday, March 26: James Arthur plus special guests Venus Grrrls
Thursday, March 27: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Friday, March 28: The Corrs plus special guests Dea Matrona
Saturday, March 29: Erased Tapes featuring Penguin Cafe, Daniel Brandt, Douglas Dare and Hatis Noit
Sunday, March 30: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Tickets:
For line-up and ticketing information please visit:
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Robert Smith
Teenage Cancer Trust is delighted that The Cure’s Robert Smith will curate Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in 2026.
One of the most celebrated artists in modern music, Robert has long been a supporter of the charity, with The Cure performing two classic shows in 2014, as well as in 2006. Robert was very active in his support of the Teenage Cancer Trust UNSEEN campaign during lockdown, helping the charity to continue to raise significant income during those tough times.
After being asked by the concerts’ founder, Roger Daltrey, Robert will personally oversee a world-class bill from 23-29 March 2026.
The news follows The Cure‘s return to the top of the charts in 2024 with the critically lauded Songs Of A Lost World. In a career spanning more than 45 years, the band have produced some of the most influential albums in modern music, including Seventeen Seconds, Pornography, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, Disintegration and Wish, and classic pop songs such as ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, ‘A Forest’, ‘Just Like Heaven’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Friday I’m In Love’.
Robert Smith said: “Teenage Cancer Trust does the most fantastic work, and it is a great honour – and a real thrill – to be asked to curate the 2026 shows at the Royal Albert Hall. I can promise it will be a very memorable week!”
The concerts were founded in 2000 by The Who’s Roger Daltrey. Throughout that time, Daltrey put together lineups of internationally renowned artists. While he stepped back from figurehead duties in 2024, Daltrey remains a proud Honorary Patron of the charity.
Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer.
Cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease. And for those who survive, going through it without the right support can be devastating – physically and emotionally.
Every day, more than seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words “you have cancer”. By 2030 that number will be closer to 10.
There’s never been a worse time to receive that news, with healthcare services under enormous pressure.
Money from these iconic gigs at the Royal Albert Hall means Teenage Cancer Trust can fund specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person when cancer has turned their world upside down.
Cancer rates in young people in the UK have gone up by a quarter since the early 1990s. And by 2030, it’s projected that the number of young people living with a cancer diagnosis will be 65% higher.
Since 2000, over £34 million has been raised by Teenage Cancer Trust concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, and that money has helped fund specialist nurses, hospital units and support services right across the UK that help get young people through some unimaginably hard times.
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About Teenage Cancer Trust at The Royal Albert Hall
2025 marks the 23nd year of Teenage Cancer Trust’s phenomenally successful flagship events at the Royal Albert Hall, which were started by the charity’s Honorary Patron and lead-singer of The Who, Roger Daltrey CBE.
Some of the biggest names in entertainment have now raised more than £34 million for Teenage Cancer Trust which helps to fund specialist nurses, hospital units and support services right across the UK that help get young people through some unimaginably hard times.
Since 2000 audiences at Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual gigs have witnessed some extraordinary, once in a lifetime shows, from Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn performing together for the first time ever in 2013, Sir Paul McCartney in 2012, plus the likes of Oasis, Muse, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, Rudimental and many more.
There have been many legendary moments. Sir Paul McCartney was joined on stage in 2012 for the Beatles’ ‘Get Back’ by Roger Daltrey, Ronnie Wood and Paul Weller – marking a Beatle, Rolling Stone and The Who joining forces.
Muse played in 2008, their only show in the UK that year apart from two sold out Wembley Stadiums. They called it, “one of the best gigs of our lives.” The Cure played a three-hour set on two consecutive nights in 2014, bringing the house down with 45 songs.
Some of the brightest lights in comedy have lit up the stage too, with an annual evening featuring the likes of Mo Gilligan, Kevin Bridges, Miranda Hart, Kerry Godliman, John Bishop, Frankie Boyle, Noel Fielding, Jon Richardson, Russell Howard, James Corden, Joel Dommett and many more.
In 2024 a special show was staged as an ovation for Roger Daltrey’s years of service, with turns by the likes of Paul Weller, Kelly Jones, Eddie Vedder and Robert Plant.
About Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer. The charity funds specialist nurses, youth workers and hospital units within the NHS, and is there for anyone diagnosed with cancer aged 13-24, and their loved ones too.
Find out how your support can make a difference to the lives of young people facing cancer by signing up to email updates.
Teenage Cancer Trust is a registered charity: 1062559 (England & Wales), SC039757 (Scotland).
Domino’s:
Domino’s, which has partnered with Teenage Cancer Trust for ten years and has raised £8 million for the charity, is the official sponsor of the Ultimate Backstage Experience.
Aldi
Aldi is the headline sponsor for this year’s Royal Albert Hall series. The supermarket giant has partnered with Teenage Cancer Trust since 2017 and has raised over £11 million for the charity to date.
American Airlines
Our brilliant flight partner American Airlines have generously donated many millions of air miles to support our event series at the Royal Albert Hall.
