Robert Smith to ‘Cureate’ 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust concerts

The lineup for the 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall concert series has been announced by guest curator Robert Smith. 

Elbow, Mogwai, Manic Street Preachers, my bloody valentine, Garbage and Wolf Alice will headline nights after being personally invited by The Cure’s frontman. In addition, Robert Smith’s Comedy Favourites will feature some of the best stand-ups around.

The week of events at London’s Royal Albert Hall will take place from 23-29 March  and tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 12 December.

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 – a run of shows to dream about – and 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… indeed in most cases, they are both! It is going to be a fabulous 7 nights, and I can hardly wait to experience it all. See you there!”

Elbow

The opening night (Monday 23 March) will feature the alternative rock of Elbow. The band – Guy Garvey, Craig Potter, Mark Potter & Pete Turner – first formed in the early 90s with drummer Alex Reeves joining them in 2016. Since the release of debut album Asleep In The Back in 2001 they have been nominated for the Mercury Prize three times, winning in 2008 for their multi-platinum selling The Seldom Seen Kid, as well as picking up a Brit Award for ‘Best British Band’ and three Ivor Novello Awards.

Guy Garvey said: “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.”

Joining Elbow will be special guests MRCY – aka producer Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson.

Mogwai

Mogwai formed in 1995 in Glasgow, creating music from fragile beauty to savage distortion. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite (guitar, vocals), Barry Burns (guitar, piano, synthesizer, vocals), Dominic Aitchison (bass guitar) and Martin Bulloch (drums). Since 1997, they have released eleven studio albums, with their most recent, The Bad Fire, landing to great acclaim in January this year.

Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite said: “We are extremely excited and privileged to be playing at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. 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.”

Mogwai will be supported by Craven Fault and Annika Kilkenny.

Manic Street Preachers

Manic Street Preachers’ headline gig on Thursday 26 March will be the 150th show at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. 2025 has seen the Manics in untouchable form — from the release of their hugely acclaimed 15th album, Critical Thinking, to the publication of their truly unique Sunday Times bestselling biography 168 Seconds Of Hatred And Failure.

Manic Street Preachers singer James Dean Bradfield said: “We were lucky enough to play one of Robert Smith’s Meltdown shows in 2018, and now we’re honoured to have been asked by the great man to join the 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust shows he’s overseeing which raise money such a great cause. It’s our first time playing Teenage Cancer Trust as a band, a return to one of our favourite London venues and we’ve got a couple of surprises up our sleeves for the night. So, no excuses. See you there.”

The Manics will be joined by fellow Welsh three-piece The Joy Formidable.

My Bloody Valentine

My bloody valentine made their long awaited return to the live stage this autumn after seven years, delivering their unique sonic assault to UK arenas. With the timeless classic album Loveless in 1991, Kevin Shields had redefined what guitar music could be. On stage, Shields, Colm Ó Cíosóig (drums), Bilinda Butcher (vocals, guitar) and Debbie Googe (bass) combine the beauty of the band’s melodies and a soundscape barrage that will be unlike anything the Royal Albert Hall has heard before.

Before my bloody valentine on Friday 27 March will be a special performance by Chvrches, the Glasgow synth-pop duo known for hits including The Mother We Share and Clearest Blue.

Chvrches will escape from the studio to play their first live show in nearly three years. “We are really honoured to be part of this amazing line-up of shows,” say Chvrches, “And to be supporting Robert and Teenage Cancer Trust. This will be the first Chvrches show since 2023, and a little different than how we normally play, which makes it feel even more special.”

Garbage

Formed in 1993, Garbage still boasts all its original members, consisting of lead singer Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and revered 90s producer Butch Vig. After three decades of making records and touring together, they remain a vigorous force and are heralded internationally as one of the most influential and respected bands of their generation. Garbage will headline for Teenage Cancer Trust on Saturday 28 March.

Shirley Manson said: “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. 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.”

Garbage will be joined by Placebo, who will be playing a rarely performed stripped back set, to kick off the band’s 30th anniversary year celebrations for 2026. The band are honoured to be asked by Robert Smith to perform and be part of such an important charity fundraising event.

Unbeatable Lineup

Closing the music concerts on Sunday 29 March are Wolf Alice, a seminal British band entering a bold new chapter following the release of their acclaimed fourth album, The Clearing. Ellie Rowsell (vocals), Joff Oddie (guitar), Joel Amey (drums) and Theo Ellis (bass) have grown into one of the UK’s most vital groups. Joining them is Nilüfer Yanya.

Robert Smith’s Comedy Favourites will also bring some of the biggest names in the business to the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 24 March. Robert has personally selected an unbeatable lineup featuring Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Jack Dee, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Athena Kugblenu, Stewart Lee and Dara Ó Briain.

Tickets go on sale at 9am GMT, Friday 12 December. For ticketing information and further details click here

Featured image credit: Phoebe Fox

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