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. Announced today are headliners Underworld, Wet Leg, Courteeners and Kasabian, with an Evening Of Comedy line-up to be announced soon, performing from 20 – 25 March 2023.
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.
Artists announced for 2023 include some of the biggest UK acts around….
Underworld are one of the greatest electronic artists the UK has ever produced and will play a highly anticipated show on Monday 20th March.
They came from acid house pioneering to national treasure status with a series of peerless albums. Their legendary live show is a sensory adventure, their beats taking their audience to ever ascending heights of euphoria. The group were propelled to new heights by ‘Born Slippy’, an Underworld B-side that soundtracked Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting movie. Karl Hyde and Rick Smith continued to work in film, as well as remixing and DJ-ing, and were musical directors for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
“It’s such an honour and a delight and it’s just really f***ing great to be performing for the wonderful Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall on March 20th.” – Rick Smith and Karl Hyde, Underworld
An Underworld show is a rare event these days and they have announced just a few festival dates this year, including Coachella, making their Royal Albert Hall show a very special event.
Isle of Wight sensations Wet Leg perform on Wednesday 22nd March. Tipped for great things in 2022, they duly delivered. They recently picked up 4 BRIT Award nominations and 5 Grammy nods and their self-titled, Number 1 debut album was Mercury Prize nominated, while Rolling Stone called them the “buzziest band of the year.” Having penned wry hits like ‘Chaise Longue’ and ‘Wet Dream’, 2023 will see Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers play at the BRITs, tour the world with Harry Styles, and perform for us at the Royal Albert Hall..
Joining Wet Leg at The Royal Albert Hall is CMAT. A singer-songwriter from Dublin, her debut album If My Wife New I’d Be Dead reached Number 1 in the Irish charts, sharing her latest single ‘Mayday’ earlier this month. Also performing are South London trio Honeyglaze, whose self-titled debut record was released last year.
Manchester’s musical phenomenon Courteeners are back for a third time, their second headline performance for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 24th March, to play their number one album St. Jude in full. Just a few weeks ago, the lauded album reached Number 1 for the very first time with its 15th anniversary edition and became the album with the longest time between release and charting at Number 1 in UK chart history, according to the Official Charts Company. They have no less than 7 other Top 10 albums – only The Rolling Stones and The Beatles have had a reissued album at Number 1 before. St. Jude includes three Official Top 40 singles (‘Not Nineteen Forever’, ‘No You Didn’t, No You Don’t’ and ‘What Took You So Long?’). Courteeners will be bringing their fervent fan following to the Royal Albert Hall playing the album in full and all the hits.
Saturday night, 25th March, is time for another of Teenage Cancer Trust’s legendary supporting heroes. Leicester’s Kasabian first played the TCT stage in 2007, before returning in 2009, 2013 then again in 2018. This year’s performance comes on the heels of their 7th album and another UK Number 1, The Alchemist’s Euphoria, released in August last year. Serge Pizzorno, bassist Chris Edwards, drummer Ian Matthews and guitarist Tim Carter have won multiple awards for their live performances and consistently sell out tours – expect an amazing show fuelled by their trademark swagger.
Joining Kasabian are Scottish indie rock band, The Snuts. Their 2021 debut album W.L. went straight to Number 1 in the UK Charts, with their sophomore record placing at an impressive No.3 spot just over a year later. Selling out venues across the world, The Snuts are one of the most exciting bands in the UK right now.
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
Tuesday 21 March – Night of Comedy
Wednesday 22 March – Wet Leg
Friday 24 March – Courteeners
Saturday 25 March – Kasabian
Tickets:
Tickets on sale at 9:30am GMT on Friday 3rd February. For line-up and ticketing information please visit:
