New details have emerged for the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series at London's Royal Albert Hall, with Robert Smith serving as curator for the 2026 edition. A full roster of comperes, livestream plans, and a surprise line-up addition have all been confirmed.<\/p>\n
Bosnian composer and accordionist Nihad Hrustanbegovic will perform around the historic venue on each night of the week-long run. With 10 studio albums and over 1,000 solo concerts across Europe to his name, Hrustanbegovic previously performed at Croatia's Art Janez Days event under Smith's patronage.<\/p>\n
Presenting duties across the week will be handled by a range of broadcasters. BBC Radio's Shaun Keaveny takes the Elbow night, while 6 Music's Mary-Anne Hobbs introduces Mogwai. Radio X's John Kennedy hosts the Manic Street Preachers evening, NTS’ Flo Dill presents My Bloody Valentine, and BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders comp\u00e8res Wolf Alice. Absolute Radio's Sarah Champion and Ben Burrell cover the comedy night, with Danielle Perry handling Garbage and Placebo.<\/p>\n
Full performances from both Elbow and Manic Street Preachers will be available to watch globally via Player+ at a cost of \u00a315.99, with all profits directed to Teenage Cancer Trust. Additionally, young people across the country who benefit from TCT's services will have free access to watch the shows live.<\/p>\n
Smith, who stepped into the curator role previously held by The Who's Roger Daltrey, shared his enthusiasm for the week: “Teenage Cancer Trust does absolutely amazing work, and I 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 \u2013 a run of shows to dream about \u2013 and I am so grateful to all the artists who accepted my invitation to perform.”<\/p>\n
He added: “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\u2026 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!”<\/p>\n
The Cure have a long history with Teenage Cancer Trust, having performed fundraising shows for the charity in both 2006 and 2014. The line-up spanning the seven nights features Garbage, Wolf Alice, Manic Street Preachers, Chvrches, My Bloody Valentine, Elbow, Placebo, Mogwai, Nil\u00fcfer Yanya, The Joy Formidable, Craven Faults, Annika Kilkenny and MRCY, alongside a comedy evening.<\/p>\n
The dates in full read:<\/p>\n
MARCH
\n23 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK \u2013 Elbow and MRCY
\n24 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK \u2013 Robert Smith's Comedy Favourites (Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Jack Dee, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Athena Kugblenu, Stewart Lee and Dara \u00d3 Briain)
\n25 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK \u2013 Mogwai, Craven Faults and Annika Kilkenny
\n26 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK \u2013 Manic Street Preachers and The Joy Formidable
\n27 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK \u2013 My Bloody Valentine and Chvrches (stripped back performance)
\n28 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK \u2013 Garbage and Placebo (stripped back performance)
\n29 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK \u2013 Wolf Alice and Nil\u00fcfer Yanya<\/p>\n