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.
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.
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 compères
Wolf Alice. Absolute Radio's Sarah Champion and Ben Burrell cover the comedy night, with Danielle Perry handling
Garbage and
Placebo.
Full performances from both Elbow and Manic Street Preachers will be available to watch globally via Player+ at a cost of £15.99, 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.
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 – a run of shows to dream about – and I am so grateful to all the artists who accepted my invitation to perform."
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… 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!"
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,
Nilüfer Yanya, The Joy Formidable, Craven Faults, Annika Kilkenny and MRCY, alongside a comedy evening.
The dates in full read:
MARCH
23 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK – Elbow and MRCY
24 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK – Robert Smith's Comedy Favourites (Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Jack Dee, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Athena Kugblenu, Stewart Lee and Dara Ó Briain)
25 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK – Mogwai, Craven Faults and Annika Kilkenny
26 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK – Manic Street Preachers and The Joy Formidable
27 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK – My Bloody Valentine and Chvrches (stripped back performance)
28 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK – Garbage and Placebo (stripped back performance)
29 Royal Albert Hall, London, UK – Wolf Alice and Nilüfer Yanya
