robert smith

Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall – Shirley Manson announced as guest curator for 2027

by
Following the monumental success of the 2026 concert series curated by Robert Smith, Teenage Cancer Trust is proud to announce that Shirley Manson will take the helm as guest curator for the shows at the Royal Albert Hall from 15-21 March 2027.

To mark the announcement, a video has been released of Garbage’s extraordinary performance of The Cure’s ‘Lovesong’ at their 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust show.

Shirley Manson is the second guest curator of the legendary week-long Royal Albert Hall fundraising concert series, which was launched and curated by Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron Sir Roger Daltrey from 2000 to 2025. 
For the 2026 events, as well as lining up an unbeatable Night Of Comedy, Robert Smith called up headliners Wolf Alice, Elbow, Manic Street Preachers, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai and Garbage themselves, raising £1.4 million so far for the charity, providing vital support for young people with cancer across the UK.

Shirley Manson, who delivered a standout performance including classics such as ‘I’m Only Happy When It Rains’ and ‘Stupid Girl’, said: “To follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Roger Daltrey and most beloved Robert Smith by being invited to curate next year’s run of shows is one of the greatest honours that has ever been bestowed upon me. I consider it an immense privilege to continue helping raise funds and awareness for our all too often forgotten teenagers in the UK who are living with cancer and the struggle that this entails. I hope to curate a fine week of entertainment, calling upon some of my favourite artists to join the cause. I am so looking forward to seeing it all come together at the Royal Albert Hall next year and I hope to see you there.”

Robert Smith said: “Having played a few Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall shows with The Cure, it was a real honour to curate the series in 2026, bringing together so many of my favourite artists to perform for such a great cause. The response and support from the audience, in the hall itself and all around the world, was really incredible. Garbage were one of the highlights of a stellar week, and I am very sure Shirley, with her great energy, commitment and values, will do a fantastic job in 2027.” 

Roger Daltrey said: “To have a female musician with a great reputation for quality work is something that’s been at the top of my wishlist going forward. I will always be there for her if she needs any help with anything.”

Rob Ballantine, Promoter, SJM Concerts, said:
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Robert Smith for working so hard and making our job as promoters so much easier this year. His vision resulted in one of the most memorable weeks in the history of these shows. We are equally grateful to Shirley for agreeing to curate 2027; we are already bowled over by her energy and enthusiasm, and the planning is already well underway for another landmark year.”

Jane Ashton, Head of Music & Entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust said: “We are delighted to welcome Shirley as our curator for 2027.“Cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease, yet cancer care wasn’t made for young people. Shirley’s passion for our cause was electrifying to see during this year’s shows and we can’t wait to see who she invites to play next year.”

Jules Worrall, Interim Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Robert Smith for the 2026 shows – together we have raised a phenomenal amount which will be truly life-changing for young people with cancer. And Garbage’s performance was a stand-out moment of the shows this year, so it’s incredibly exciting that Shirley Manson is taking up the baton of curating for 2027. Shirley spoke so emotionally at this year’s shows about how important teenagers are for the future of the country and the importance of supporting them – and we couldn’t agree more. We’re delighted to have her energy and passion on board.”

Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall was funded in 2000 by the charity’s Honorary Patron, Sir Roger Daltrey, and has raised over £36 million to date.


About Teenage Cancer Trust at The Royal Albert Hall

2026 marks the 24th year of Teenage Cancer Trust’s phenomenally successful flagship events at the Royal Albert Hall, which were started by the charity’s Honorary Patron and lead-singer of The Who, Sir Roger Daltrey. Some of the biggest names in entertainment have now raised more than £36 million for Teenage Cancer Trust which helps to fund specialist nurses, hospital units and support services right across the UK that help get young people through some unimaginably hard times.

Since 2000 audiences at Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual gigs 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, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, Rudimental and many more.

There have been many legendary moments. Sir Paul McCartney was joined on stage in 2012 for the Beatles’ ‘Get Back’ by Sir Roger Daltrey, Ronnie Wood and Paul Weller – marking a Beatle, Rolling Stone and The Who joining forces.
Muse played in 2008, their only show in the UK that year apart from two sold out Wembley Stadiums. They called it, “one of the best gigs of our lives.” The Cure played a three-hour set on two consecutive nights in 2014, bringing the house down with 45 songs.

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, James Corden, Joel Dommett and many more. In 2026, the lineup featured Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Jack Dee, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Athena Kugblenu, Stewart Lee and Dara Ó Briain.

In 2024 a special show was staged as an ovation for Sir Roger Daltrey’s years of service, with turns by the likes of Paul Weller, Kelly Jones, Eddie Vedder and Robert Plant. About Teenage Cancer Trust Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer. The charity funds specialist nurses, youth workers and hospital units within the NHS, and is there for anyone diagnosed with cancer aged 13-24, and their loved ones too.  

Teenage Cancer Trust is a registered charity: 1062559 (England & Wales), SC039757 (Scotland).