The Cure's Robert Smith to curate Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2026
A new headliner has also been revealed for this year
Legendary Cure frontman Robert Smith will curate the line-up at next year’s Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall concert series.
Robert Smith has performed concerts with The Cure at Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in 2006 and 2014, and in 2020 he supported TCT’s UNSEEN campaign during lockdown, helping the charity to continue to raise significant income during those tough times.
After being asked by the concerts’ founder, Roger Daltrey, Robert will personally oversee a world-class bill from Monday 23rd to Sunday 29th March 2026.
Robert Smith says: “Teenage Cancer Trust does the most fantastic work, and it is a great honour - and a real thrill - to be asked to curate the 2026 shows at the Royal Albert Hall. I can promise it will be a very memorable week!”
Roger Daltrey adds: “It has not been easy to find the right curator for the week of concerts in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall, but it's with great excitement that I can announce that Robert Smith has signed up for 2026.
“With The Cure’s long and outstanding support for Teenage Cancer Trust, Robert appreciates the vital work this charity does.
“The concerts have become an essential fixture in the music calendar, featuring some of the world’s greatest artists. It has been a challenge to find the right person to take them on - but Robert, a true musical great, is the perfect curator for the 2026 concerts.”
Teenage Cancer Trust announces new 2025 headliner:
Teenage Cancer Trust is pleased to announce a special bill for Saturday 29th March 2025 at the Royal Albert Hall, curated by Erased Tapes and featuring Penguin Cafe, Daniel Brandt, Douglas Dare and Hatis Noit. GK Barry will no longer perform on the Saturday.
Tickets to the Erased Tapes show are on sale now.
Roger Daltrey said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances the planned Teenage Cancer Trust event on the Sat 29th had to be postponed.
“So, I can't thank Penguin Cafe enough for stepping up for the charity at such short notice. Erased Tapes will be curating the rest of the line up for the evening, so this is going to be a very special night of independent music at the Royal Albert Hall. Don't miss it!"
Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2025 line-up:
Monday 24th March: Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols plus special guests Kid Kapichi and The Molotovs
Tuesday 25th March:A night of comedy hosted by Micky Flanagan with Scott Bennett, Finlay Christie, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Jack Skipper + Josh Widdicombe
Wednesday 26th March: James Arthur plus special guests Venus Grrrls
Thursday 27th March: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Friday 28th March: The Corrs plus special guests Dea Matrona
Saturday 29th March: Erased Tapes featuring Penguin Cafe, Daniel Brandt, Douglas Dare and Hatis Noit
Sunday 30th March: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Absolute Radio's guide to the best upcoming tours and festivals:
Snow Patrol - May-July 2026
Snow Patrol are now on a UK and Ireland tour for the summer of 2026, which will include a number of festival performances. They topped the bill at In It Together Festival in Port Talbot on Sunday 24th May, before heading to Dublin, East Anglia, Liverpool, London, Shropshire and Edinburgh, and concluding at Nottingham Splendour Festival on 19th July.
Buy tickets here
Skunk Anansie and Garbage - June 2026
Skunk Anansie and Garbage are now on a co-headline tour this summer. They opened their run of six shows on 16th June in the grounds of Halifax Piece Hall, before visiting Delamere Forest, Dreamland Margate, Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Cardiff Castle and finally Southampton Guildhall Square on 23rd August.
Skunk Anansie will also perform at State Fayre on Saturday 27th June.
Buy tickets here
Def Leppard - June-July 2026
British rock legends Def Leppard are performing in the UK as part of an 11-date European tour. Joined by special guests Extreme, the band began the UK leg in Glasgow on 28th June 2026, visiting Sheffield, London and Birmingham, before concluding in Manchester on 6th July.
Buy tickets here
My Chemical Romance - June-July 2026
My Chemical Romance will play a series of UK shows in the summer of 2026, kicking off in Liverpool on Tuesday 30th June and concluding at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday 11th July. The shows will form part of their 'Long Live the Black Parade' tour and includes two sold out shows which were announced early in 2025.
Buy tickets here
Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton - June-July 2026
Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton are performing four headline UK shows in the summer of 2026. The 'Radio Soul! – The Early Songs of Elvis Costello Tour' is taking place from 13th June to 6th July, when it concludes in Newcastle. The tour visits London and Portsmouth.
Buy tickets here
The Cure - June-August 2026
The Cure are set to perform a series of huge outdoor concerts in the summer of 2026. Robert Smith and his band played Isle of Wight Festival on Sunday 21st June, Dublin Marlay Park (Friday 26th June) Belsonic (Sunday 28th June), and are set to play Manchester's Live from Wythenshawe Park (Friday 21st August), Edinburgh Summer Sessions on Sunday 23rd August and Rock En Seine (Sunday 30th August).
Buy tickets here
Kings of Leon - July 2026
American rockers, Kings of Leon, will head to the UK for three shows in the summer. They'll perform in Glasgow (Friday 3rd July), Manchester (Saturday 4th July) and Leeds (Monday 6th July). They'll be joined by Snuts in Manchester and Leeds, while The Lathums and The Royston Club will support Kings of Leon in Glasgow.
Buy tickets here
Richard Ashcroft - July-August 2026
After supporting Oasis on their momentous reunion tour, and performing his own headline shows in November 2025 and March-April 2026, Richard Ashcroft will perform a number of outdoors shows in July and August this year. It follows the release of his 2025 album 'Lovin' You'.
Buy tickets here
The Prodigy - August 2026
The Prodigy have announced four outdoor concerts for August 2026. Opening in Dublin on 20th August, The Warriors Dance Tour will then visit Milton Keynes on 22nd and Edinburgh on 29th, before concluding in Manchester on the 30th. They'll be supported by Carl Cox, David Rodigan, Andy C, ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U and SCARLXRD.
Buy tickets here
Reading & Leeds Festival - August 2026
The world-renowned Reading & Leeds Festivals will return over the August Bank Holiday 2026, from 27th to 30th. The line up includes Kasabian, Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence and the Machine, Fontaines D.C. and RAYE.
Lenny Kravitz - August 2026
Lenny Kravitz will perform in London this summer as part of his 'Lenny Kravitz Live 2026 tour'. The outdoor concert will take place on Saturday 15th August 2026 at Gunnersbury Park — and will see support from the likes of Leon Thomas, Joss Stone, Brooke Combe and De'Wayne.
Buy tickets here
Djo - August 2026
Djo will put on a rare UK performance in the summer of 2026, playing at All Points East on Saturday 22nd August. Real name Joseph Keery, the musician whose hit 'End of Beginning' shot to success after he starred in Netflix series Stranger Things, will perform on the same weekend as Lorde, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson.
Buy tickets here
Ronnie Wood - August 2026
Ronnie Wood and His Band are set to perform a headline concert at London's O2 Forum Kentish Town on Friday 21st August 2026, before heading to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where they'll support Eric Clapton (Sunday 23rd August). Ronnie will be joined by friend Imelda May in London.
Buy tickets here
The Waterboys and Steve Earle - August-September 2026
The Waterboys will head on tour in the summer of 2026, joined by American singer-songwriter, Steve Earle. They'll visit London, Glasgow and Dublin for three dates from 29th August to 12th September.
Steve Earle said of their collaboration: "I only ever wanted to be in three bands: The Rolling Stones, NRBQ and the Waterboys".
Buy tickets here
Bon Jovi - August-September 2026
Following a short stint at New York's Madison Square Garden, Bon Jovi will perform five UK and Ireland dates in the summer of 2026. Their 'Forever' tour will begin in Edinburgh on Friday 28th August, before heading to Dublin on 30th and performing three shows in London on Friday 4th, Sunday 6th and Wednesday 9th September.
Buy tickets here
Primal Scream - September 2026
Primal Scream will perform their 2000 album 'XTRMNTR' in full when they head on tour in September 2026. 'The XTRMNTR Tour' will kick off at Glasgow's Barrowland on 3rd and 4th September, before heading through Newcastle, Nottingham, Manchester and Bristol — concluding in London on 15th September.
Buy tickets here
Blackpool 80s Weekender - September 2026
ABC, Kim Wilde, Haircut 100, Go West, Toyah, The Christians and Hue and Cry have been announced for the first ever Blackpool 80s Weekender, which will take over the iconic Winter Gardens on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September 2026.
The event will bring together artists and guest DJs, for a full immersive 80s experience.
Buy tickets here
Heaven 17 - October 2026
Heaven 17 will perform a 12-date UK tour this autumn, performing tracks from their debut album to celebrate its 45th anniversary! Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory will visit Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Bexhill, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Norwich, Northampton and Liverpool from 8th-23rd October.
Buy tickets here
The Strokes - October 2026
After announcing their seventh album 'Reality Awaits' which is due out this summer, The Strokes revealed they would perform four dates in October 2026. The New York indie band will take to London's The O2 on the 6th, before heading to Newcastle on 25th, Manchester on the 26th and Dublin on the 28th.
Buy tickets here
Duran Duran - October 2026
Duran Duran will head on a five-date UK tour this autumn. Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor will be supported by Pigeon as they head on tour from 15th-24th October. It will follow their BST Hyde Park show on 5th July.
Buy tickets here
Brandon Flowers - October 2026
The Killers' singer Brandon Flowers will head on a solo UK and Ireland tour in October 2026, following the release of his third album 'Thrasher'. He'll perform in Bournemouth, London, Bristol, Nottingham, Manchester, York, Glasgow, Birmingham and Dublin from 14th-27th.
Buy tickets here
Levellers - October-November 2026
Levellers will tour the UK and Ireland in autumn 2026, visiting Huddersfield, Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, York, Llandudno, Blackpool, Nottingham, Bristol and London. The 'LTL35 Tour' will run from 20th October to 21st November and will see the band perform songs from their back catalogue, as well as chart hits from their 'Levelling The Land' album.
Buy tickets here
The Wonder Stuff and Inspiral Carpets - October-December 2026
Inspiral Carpets will join The Wonder Stuff as they head on tour in October to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The 16-date tour will run from 1st October to 8th December, opening at Newcastle O2 City Hall.
Buy tickets here
Embrace - November 2026
Embrace will celebrate 30 years together with a 14-date UK tour this autumn. Playing all their hits and fan favourites from the last three decades, the tour will span from 9th-28th November and will visit Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham, Brighton, Bristol, London, Birmingham, Cambridge, Margate, Torquay and Southampton.
Buy tickets here
The Script - October-November 2026
Following the release of their eighth studio album, 'The User's Guide To Being Human', The Script will head on tour in October and November, visiting venues across the UK and their native Ireland. Kicking off in Dublin on 30th AND 31st October, the band will then take their 'Man In The Arena Tour' across the UK, ending on 21st November in London. They'll be supported by James Morrison.
Buy tickets here
Ocean Colour Scene - November-December 2026
Marking three decades since the release of their second studio album 'Moseley Shoals' in 1996, Ocean Colour will head on a huge UK tour in 2026. They'll perform 13 dates from 21st November until 12th December, visiting Glasgow, Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle, Derby, Swansea, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Plymouth, Brighton, London, Bristol and Birmingham.
They'll be joined by special guests The Enemy.
Buy tickets here
Squeeze - November-December 2026
Squeeze will head on their huge 'The Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour' in the winter of 2026, opening at Glasgow OVO Hydro on 12th November and wrapping at Brighton Centre on 5th December. They'll be joined by special guest Billy Bragg.
Buy tickets here
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell - November-December 2026
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will head on a eight-date tour this winter. 'The Big Love Tour 2026' will open in Nottingham on 30th November and visit Glasgow, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Cardiff, wrapping up in Brighton on Friday 11th December.
Buy tickets here
Del Amitri - November-December 2026
Del Amitri are set to tour the UK in November and December this year. Their 'Past to Present' tour will open in York on 9th November and wrap up the following month on 10th December. New dates have been added due to demand.
Buy tickets here
The Pogues - November-December 2026
The Pogues will head on a greatest hits tour in November and December. Featuring original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy, along with a series of special guest singers, the band will visit Portsmouth, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, London, Newcastle and Glasgow. They'll perform a selection of their greatest hits, including 'Fairytale of New York', 'Dirty Old Town', 'A Pair of Brown Eyes', 'Rainy Night in Soho' and 'If I Should Fall From Grace With God'.
Buy tickets here
Placebo - November-December 2026
Marking 30 years since the release of their self-titled debut album, Placebo will head on a six-date UK and Ireland tour in November and December. The alternative rockers will head to Nottingham, Glasgow, Dublin, Manchester, London and Cardiff from 28th November to 7th December — where they'll perform some of their early hits.
Buy tickets here
Shed Seven - November-December 2026
Shed Seven will take their iconic 'Shedcember Tour' across the UK for the 10th time in 2026, supported by special guests The Academic. They'll kick off the tour in Nottingham on 13th November, wrapping up 12th December in Leeds.
Buy tickets here
Blossoms - November-December 2026
Blossoms will put on a UK tour in the winter of 2026, following the release of her sixth album, 'Songs From The Wedding Cake'. They'll perform five dates, in Cardiff, London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow — and will feature special guests The Royston Club at all dates.
Buy tickets here
Hard-Fi - December 2026
Hard-Fi will head on tour this December, following the release of their first album in 15 years. The indie rockers will release 'Sweating Someone Else's Fever' in June, before heading to London, Birmingham and Manchester from 3rd-5th December in support of it.
Buy tickets here
Morrissey - December 2026
Morrissey is back on tour at the end of this year, visiting five UK arenas from 6th-19th December. The Smiths singer will visit Brighton, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow and Leeds, following the release of his 14th studio album 'Make-Up Is A Lie'.
Buy tickets here
Culture Club - December 2026
Culture Club will head on tour just before Christmas, visiting Bournemouth, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham and London. The 'Karma Chameleon' singers will be joined by special guests ABC and Haircut 100 as they take 'The Singles Tour' across the UK from 7th to 19th December.
Buy tickets here
Nothing But Thieves - February 2027
In support of their fifth studio album 'Stray Dogs', Nothing But Thieves will head on tour in February 2027. The tour will kick off on 4th February in Nottingham, and will visit London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, wrapping up on 13th February.
Buy tickets here
Rush - March 2027
As part of their 2027 'Fifty Something' tour, Rush will perform seven UK dates in the spring. The UK leg will open in Glasgow on Monday 8th March (with a second show there on the 10th), before visiting Manchester on the 12th and 14th and London on the 16th, 18th and 21st. The set will feature hits from their huge back catalogue.
Buy tickets here
Kim Wilde - March 2027
Kim Wilde will head on a 13-date UK tour in the spring of 2027. The 80s icon best known for hits like 'Kids in America' will visit Bristol, Liverpool, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Brighton, Bournemouth, Nottingham, Sheffield and York from 12th-28th March 2026.
Buy tickets here
The Enemy - March 2027
In celebration of their debut album's 20th anniversary, The Enemy will perform a special homecoming show in March 2027. It will take place at Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday 20th.
Buy tickets here