The line-up for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in 2026 has been revealed, and it is topped by the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Garbage, and Wolf Alice.
The Royal Albert Hall has been hosting concerts in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000. Perfectly matching the charitable spirit of the holidays, the line-up for the 2026 edition has been released.
On March 23rd, Elbow and English soul group MRCY will kick things off. Guy Garvey of Elbow has said of the honour, “We’ve never played the Royal Albert Hall before and we’ve long been supporters of Teenage Cancer Trust. Sharing the stage with MRCY is an honour also. It’s going to be an amazing night.”
The following day, March 24th, Smith’s comedy favourites, including Jack Dee, Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Stewart Lee, Dara Ó Briain and more, will provide a dazzling night of stand-up. On March 25th, Mogwai will be backed up by Craven Faults and Annika Kilkenny, while on the 26th, Manic Street Preachers and The Joy Formidable will provide a steely line-up. Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite has shared, “It’s 20 years since we last played there and to be asked by Robert Smith is an honour as The Cure have always been a huge influence on our music.”
On March 27th, shoegaze icons My Bloody Valentine will perform, after a stripped-back set from indie-pop group Chvrches. Taking the noise up a notch on March 28th, Placebo will perform a stripped-back supporting set for Shirley Manson-fronted band, Garbage. The frontperson herself commented on the charitable affair, sharing, “When Robert Smith reached out to us about the possibility of performing for Teenage Cancer Trust we were all utterly thrilled as he is a highly revered figure in our world.”
Manson added, “We are honoured to serve at his behest and look forward to helping raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust, a cause very close to our own hearts. I hope our people will choose to come out in support. Should be a great night. In the Royal Albert Hall no less.”
This is the first year that The Who’s Roger Daltrey has stepped down as the long-time curator. In his place, The Cure frontman has pulled off his first incredible line-up.
Speaking about the new honour, Smith said: “Teenage Cancer Trust does absolutely amazing work, and l am very proud they asked me to be ‘Cureator’ of their March 2026 concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. I wanted to make it a truly unforgettable, unmissable week – a run of shows to dream about – and I am so grateful to all the artists who accepted my invitation to perform.”
The so-called ‘Cureator’ went on, “These will be very special events; every band, both headliners and special guests, and every comedian too, is either legendary or at the top of their game… indeed in most cases, they are both! It is going to be a fabulous seven nights, and I can hardly wait to experience it all. See you there!”
Tickets go on sale on December 12th.
The Fat Angel Sings 
Well it looks like I should move to Kensington in March