The Cure’s Robert Smith Curates Star-Studded 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust Gig Lineup
Robert Smith of the English alternative rock band the Cure and Teenage Cancer Trust have announced the lineup for the 2026 week-long benefit concert series at the Royal Albert Hall. All of the acts were hand-picked, or “Cureated,” by Smith, who took over as curator of the annual concert series from Sir Roger Daltrey. Daltry founded the event in 2000 and was the curator for more than 20 years before stepping down earlier this year. The legendary frontman of the Who, 81, will remain an honorary patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust Concert Series
The 2026 concert series will run from March 23 – 29 at the iconic venue in South Kensington, London. Tickets for this year’s festivities will go on sale on Friday, December 13. Here is a look at what Smith has planned for this year’s fundraiser.
Monday, March 23
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Opening night of the fundraiser will kick off with soul/R&B band MRCY, followed by English rockers Elbow as the night’s headliner. Elbow has been a Manchester staple since 1990, winning multiple Igor Novello Awards and A Brit Award along the way. The band’s most recent studio album, 2024’s Audio Vertigo, became the rockers’ fourth to top the UK charts.
Tuesday, March 24
Tuesday night switches entertainment gears from music to comedy. Jack Dee, Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Stewart Lee, and Dara O Briain will all take the stage in a night of laughter and fun.
Wednesday, March 25
Night Three of the fundraiser transitions back to music. Scottish post-rock band Mogwai will headline the evening with opening acts Craven Faults and Annika Kilkenny. Mogwai’s 30-year history includes 11 studio albums, five of which landed in the Top Five of the Scottish charts. The band released their latest album in January, the Number One smash The Bad Fire.
Thursday, March 26
Thursday night’s event will be the 150th show in the concert series’ history. The show will feature two Welsh bands, openers The Joy Formidable and headliner Manic Street Preachers. MSP will be celebrating 40 years as a band in 2026. The band has won 17 major awards over its long, storied history. Their fifteenth studio album, Critical Thinking, came out in February and became the band’s fourth to top the charts.
Friday, March 27
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Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Des Moines Register via Imagn Images.
Friday’s event will feature Scottish synth-pop trio Chvrches opening for Irish-English indie rockers My Bloody Valentine. Chvrches has had eight songs land in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot Rock and Alternative charts, and they have received award nominations all over the globe during their 14 years together. Headliners My Bloody Valentine got their start way back in 1983. They have split multiple times, but reunited again last month to begin a worldwide tour.
Saturday, March 28
The penultimate night of the 2026 fundraiser will feature American rockers Garbage. The band has garnered seven Grammy nominations and five MTV Music Awards through the years. They are known for smash hits like “Stupid Girl,” “I Think I’m Paranoid,” “Only Happy When It Rains,” and “#1 Crush.” They released their latest album, entitled Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, in May. British alt-rockers Placebo will open the show.
Sunday, March 29
The final night of the fundraiser will feature a performance by Award-winning English alt-rockers Wolf Alice. The band released their second straight Number One album, entitled The Clearing, in August. You can check out music from the album above. Eclectic singer-songwriter Nilufer Yanya will serve as opener.
Teenage Cancer Trust
According to their website, Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity providing specialized nursing care and support for young people with cancer. The charity is designed to be there for anyone aged 13-24 who is diagnosed with cancer, and their loved ones, as well. Past events have featured performers like Ed Sheeran, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, Jimmy Carr, Ricky Gervais, members of Oasis, UB40, Def Leppard, Coldplay, Eric Clapton, and, of course, The Who and the Cure. Tickets for the 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust events at the Royal Albert Hall may be purchased through the venue’s website.
