The line-up for the 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust concert series at the Royal Albert Hall has been revealed today, with The Cure’s Robert Smith stepping in as guest curator. The legendary frontman has hand-picked a week of shows featuring alternative rock giants including my bloody valentine, Garbage, and Wolf Alice. The events will take place from March 23-29, 2026, with tickets going on general sale at 9am on Friday 12 December.
Taking over the mantle from long-time curator Sir Roger Daltrey, Smith has assembled a bill described as a “run of shows to dream about”. The series includes headline performances from Elbow, Mogwai, Manic Street Preachers, and a special comedy night featuring Stewart Lee and Jack Dee. Notably, the week will feature highly anticipated returns and unique formats, including a stripped-back set from Placebo and the first live performance from my bloody valentine in seven years.
Fans hoping to attend these exclusive shows at London’s most iconic venue will need to act quickly when lines open on Friday. Tickets will be available through Gigs and Tours, Ticketmaster, and the Royal Albert Hall website. All proceeds go directly to Teenage Cancer Trust, the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer.
Speaking on his role as this year’s ‘Cureator’, Robert 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 RAH. I wanted to make it a truly unforgettable, unmissable week… I am so grateful to all the artists who accepted my invitation to perform. 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.”
The week kicks off on Monday 23 March with Elbow, supported by MRCY. This marks a rare Royal Albert Hall appearance for the Mercury Prize winners. Tuesday sees a shift in tone with ‘Robert Smith’s Comedy Favourites’, a massive bill featuring Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Jack Dee, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Athena Kugblenu, Stewart Lee and Dara Ó Briain.
Mid-week brings a heavy dose of post-rock on Wednesday 25 March, as Mogwai take the stage supported by Craven Faults and Annika Kilkenny. This is followed on Thursday by Manic Street Preachers, who will play the 150th show in the history of the Teenage Cancer Trust series. The Welsh legends will be joined by compatriots The Joy Formidable for a night celebrating the charity’s 25-year legacy at the venue.
The weekend lineup offers some of the most exclusive performances of the year. On Friday 27 March, shoegaze pioneers my bloody valentine return to the stage for their first show since 2018, promising a “sonic assault” on the venue. They will be supported by Chvrches, who are breaking a three-year live hiatus to perform a special stripped-back electronic set.
Saturday 28 March sees Garbage headline, supported by Placebo in a rare, stripped-back performance to kick off their 30th-anniversary celebrations. The week concludes on Sunday 29 March with Wolf Alice, who are entering a new chapter following the release of their fourth album, The Clearing. They will be joined by the eclectic Nilüfer Yanya to close out the festivities.
Since 2000, the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series has raised more than £36 million to fund specialist nurses and youth workers. With cancer killing more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease, these shows remain a vital fundraising tool to ensure young people don’t have to face cancer alone.
Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2026 Line-up:
- Monday 23 March: Elbow + MRCY
- Tuesday 24 March: Robert Smith’s Comedy Favourites (Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Jack Dee, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Athena Kugblenu, Stewart Lee, Dara Ó Briain)
- Wednesday 25 March: Mogwai + Craven Faults + Annika Kilkenny
- Thursday 26 March: Manic Street Preachers + The Joy Formidable
- Friday 27 March: my bloody valentine + Chvrches (stripped back)
- Saturday 28 March: Garbage + Placebo (stripped back)
- Sunday 29 March: Wolf Alice + Nilüfer Yanya
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