Teenage Cancer Trust’s historic annual Royal Albert Hall concert series returns for 2023 with another unique line-up at one of the world’s most prestigious venues. Newly announced today is A Special Gala Evening of Music with Roger Daltrey and Friends of Teenage Cancer Trust including Richard Ashcroft, the first live performance from Far From Saints, plus very special guest Joan Armatrading and more surprise guests to be revealed. Tickets on sale on Friday 3rd March at 9:30am GMT.
They join previously announced headliners Underworld, Wet Leg, Jake Bugg, Courteeners and Kasabian, plus An Evening of Comedy featuring Alan Carr, Harry Hill, Russell Kane, Seann Walsh, Rosie Jones, Slim, Neil Delamere and Fatiha El-Ghorri – very few tickets remain for these shows, on sale now.
One of the greatest live bands of all time, The Who kickstarted the Teenage Cancer Trust shows back in 2000. For two decades the iconic concert series has featured the best in music and comedy, raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust and driven by Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron and The Who icon, Roger Daltrey.
The Who put on an acoustic show for Teenage Cancer Trust last year, and have played some of their most memorable performances at the Royal Albert Hall, producing some truly historic nights. On Sunday 26th March, Roger Daltrey will headline the final night for a special gala evening of music, joined by friends of Teenage Cancer Trust.
Returning to the Teenage Cancer Trust stage is the legendary Richard Ashcroft. A two-time Ivor Novello winner with five Top 5 solo albums, including the No.1 debut Alone With Everybody, and most recently the No. 2 album Acoustic Hymns. He first came to attention with The Verve. With them, he released one of the biggest albums of the era in the shape of Urban Hymns (the UK’s 18th biggest selling album of all-time), as well as a succession of anthems which remain staples of his live set today, including ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’, ‘Bittersweet Symphony’, ‘Lucky Man’ and ‘Sonnet’. Ashcroft has supported Teenage Cancer Trust many times over the years, including an iconic performance with Paul Weller in 2003, and an electric headline show in 2021.
Far From Saints is the brand new band formed by Kelly Jones of Stereophonics, with Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker from The Wind and The Wave. This special show at The Royal Albert Hall for Teenage Cancer Trust will be their first ever live performance. The band first experimented with playing music together on tour – merging their influences, they created a fervent mix of Americana, folk, rock and country which very naturally complemented the alchemy and beautiful harmonies crafted by the two vocalists. They recently unveiled their debut track ‘Let’s Turn This Back Around’, with their captivatingly fresh album to be released early this summer.
Very special guest Joan Armatrading will join this incredible line-up for the final Teenage Cancer Trust gig in 2023. One of Britain’s great singer songwriters, Joan Armatrading recently celebrated 50 years in music with the release of her album Live at Asylum Chapel. In a career that has effortlessly crossed boundaries of genre and impacted on many areas of public life, since the release of debut album Whatever’s For Us in 1972, Joan became Britain’s first female singer-songwriter to gain international success. Joan is a true pioneer with multiple awards to her name, including an MBE awarded by the Queen in 2001, following with a CBE in 2020.
Previously announced headliners for 2023 include some of the biggest UK acts around: pioneering electronic artist Underworld (Monday 20th March), award-winning sensations Wet Leg (Wednesday 22nd March), Nottingham singer-songwriter Jake Bugg (Thursday 23rd March), Manchester’s musical phenomenon Courteeners playing their No.1 album St. Jude in full on Friday 24th March, and huge supporting heroes Kasabian playing on Saturday 25th March.
The now legendary Teenage Cancer Trust comedy night will feature a number of Britain’s brightest and best bringing the good times to the Royal Albert Hall. A very special Evening of Comedy on Tuesday 21st March will feature Alan Carr, Harry Hill, Russell Kane, Seann Walsh, Rosie Jones, Slim, Neil Delamere and Fatiha El-Ghorri.
Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall enters its 21st edition as one of the greatest music events on the calendar, after a triumphant, post-COVID 20th edition in 2022 that featured a once in a lifetime acoustic show from The Who, one of the world’s biggest pop stars Ed Sheeran, a barnstorming show from Liam Gallagher, a new generation hero in YUNGBLUD, hometown royalty Madness, and a stomping show from rockers Don Broco. All backed by the traditional and star-studded comedy night, hosted by Joel Dommett.
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer.
Pressures on the NHS are making it harder than ever for young people to get a timely diagnosis and treatment. Cancer waits over 62 days have doubled since before the pandemic, and many young people will face the insecurity of not knowing when they will see a specialist or start their treatment.
Meanwhile, young people are also being disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis, as they contend with a combination of high rents, soaring bills, student debt, and falling real term wages.
For young people with cancer, both these issues can cause added anxiety and further impact on their mental health. In such conditions, being able to access the right advice and support at the right time – including emotional and psychological support – is more vital than ever.
Since 2000, over £32 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.
This year also sees the return of the Ultimate Backstage Experience for young people being cared for at Teenage Cancer Trust units around the country. Every day, these groups will visit the Royal Albert Hall to enjoy an unforgettable experience. From the moment they arrive, they’ll 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.
Ever since The Who reformed for the first Teenage Cancer Trust Royal Albert Hall show in 2000, the annual events 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, Niles Rodgers & CHIC, Florence + The Machine and many more. 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, Russell Brand, James Corden and many more.
Roger Daltrey CBE, Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron, and mastermind behind the gigs, said:
“The generosity of the people who work in the music and comedy industries never ceases to amaze me. In this, our 21st year, after two years of artists having no shows at all, at a time where the only certain paydays are from live performances, artists are willing to give up their earnings from a London show.
“It shows us that miracles are everywhere, but if you cough or sneeze you’d miss them!
“I’m happy to announce the Royal Albert Hall week for Teenage Cancer Trust!”
Katie Collins, Chief Executive, Teenage Cancer Trust, said:
“These amazing gigs and their fantastic lineups help us change lives. Because of Roger, the artists, the teams who make these gigs possible and everyone who buys a ticket, we can make sure young people don’t face cancer alone and continue to provide the vital, expert care and support that is crucial for young people with cancer.”
Show Dates:
Monday 20 March – Underworld – LOW TICKET WARNING
Tuesday 21 March – An Evening Of Comedy – featuring Alan Carr, Harry Hill, Russell Kane, Seann Walsh, Rosie Jones, Slim, Neil Delamere and Fatiha El-Ghorri
Wednesday 22 March – Wet Leg – LOW TICKET WARNING
Thursday 23 March – Jake Bugg
Friday 24 March – Courteeners – LOW TICKET WARNING
Saturday 25 March – Kasabian – LOW TICKET WARNING
Sunday 26 March – A Special Gala Evening of Music with Roger Daltrey and Friends of Teenage Cancer Trust
Tickets:
Tickets for A Special Gala Evening of Music with Roger Daltrey and Friends of Teenage Cancer Trust are on sale at 9:30am GMT on Friday 3rd March. For line-up and ticketing information please visit:
