Teenage Cancer Trust: Manic Street Preachers @ Royal Albert Hall, London, 26.03.26
- Sam McNaughton
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
2026 once again marks the return of the Teenage Cancer Trust concerts to London’s storied Royal Albert Hall. Founded in 2000 by The Who’s Roger Daltrey, the series of performances helps channel concert-going revelry into vital cancer care for young people.
Last year, Daltrey stepped back from the organisational helm, passing the torch to Robert Smith of The Cure, who now curates the 2026 programme. In his first year as guest “Cure‑ator”, Smith has assembled a stellar line‑up that helps ease any uncertainty around the leadership change.
Tonight’s performance by indie rock legends The Manic Street Preachers feels especially fitting, as the band are renowned for its ability to deliver anthemic and emotive performances that communicate deeper themes and vital causes.
Before the band took to the stage, a powerful tape played that covered the amazing work done by the Teenage Cancer Trust. Before a group of young people that had received this support emerged on stage in a touching moment that really drove home just how important the work that led to tonight’s concert is.
A brief changeover then saw the silhouettes of the bade stride on stage. The iconic wail of the “Motorcycle Emptiness” riff immediately projected a warm sense of nostalgia that was rabidly lapped up by the crowd.
From there, the hits just kept coming as the band rattled through a setlist that spanned their decades-long discography. 90’s classics such as “Your Love is Not Enough” and “You Stole the Sun From My Heart” transported the crowd with flawless performances that displayed the band's musical prowess. Crystal clear vocals breathed new life into the melodies while pyrotechnic guitar solos melted faces throughout. In tribute to curator Robert Smith, the band, for the first time ever, played a rousing cover of “Close To Me”. Between songs, the band made repeated thanks to the assembled audience for their support of such a positive cause.
Closing with “If You Tolerate This, Then Your Children Will Be Next” delivered a powerful gut punch. As the 90’s classic still sounds fresh as ever. The desperate refrain of the chorus echoed around the vast canopy of the hall before being drowned out by the passionate sing-along of the audience.
With the final notes hanging in the air long after the band waved their goodbyes, the assembled thousands made their way to the streets outside. Amongst them, you could hear unanimous praise for the band, as they had just delivered a masterclass that will be remembered for years to come.
Tickets to the rest of the shows can be purchased: HERE
You can donate to the Teenage Cancer Trust: HERE
