Live Review
GARBAGE and PLACEBO deliver alt rock classics for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall
Garbage and Placebo put in astounding performances for the legendary Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall series – at the invitation of guest curator Robert Smith.
From March 23-29, other headliners selected by The Cure legend include elbow, Mogwai, Manic Street Preachers, my bloody valentine and Wolf Alice, as well as a night of Robert Smith’s Comedy Favourites.
Last One Laughing star Maisie Adam was at the show on Saturday, as was Yungblud, a photo of whom features in Teenage Cancer Trust’s Good Energy exhibition.
Legends of alternative rock Garbage – Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig – stormed the stage, bursting out with ‘There’s No Future In Optimism’ and ‘Hold’, as well as an explosive ‘Fix Me Now’.
Manson said: “I want to thank Teenage Cancer Trust for the incredible work they do for the teenagers of this country, the future of this country, and the greatest musical community in this country. So, first of all, thanks to Teenage Cancer Trust. Thank you to each and every one of you who has supported this whole week of concerts. I mean, it’s been a dirty job, but someone has to do it, right? We are so thrilled and honoured to be part of this incredible week of curation by the great Robert Smith.”
Manson covered every inch of the stage, catching every eye in the jumping audience during the likes of ‘I Think I’m Paranoid’ and ‘The Men Who Rule The World’.
Before a cover of The Cure’s ‘Lovesong’, Manson said: “Alright, we’re gonna play you a song we’ve never played live before. We thought we’d give our tribute to The Cure tonight – who we’re obsessed with. Without Robert Smith we would not be here tonight, for a million reasons. We have been so moved by The Cure’s music… And so we worked this song up as a tribute to them.”
‘Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)’ was a riot of punk guitars, while ‘The Day That I Met God’ brought the main set to an epic close, before the pure rock classics of ‘Stupid Girl’ and ‘I’m Only Happy When It Rains’.
Garbage CREDIT: John Stead
The singer was also full of praise for Placebo, who put in an astounding set earlier in the evening. She said: “We are incredibly grateful to the magical, wonderful, incredibly unique Placebo for sharing the stage with us tonight. They could have been headlining themselves but they have chosen to come and work with us, work with the charity towards the great good. My respect, our respect, for them is endless. We’ve known them since the ‘90s. We all grew up together. So it feels particularly special for us to be sharing the stage with them tonight. And what an incredible performance you got tonight. That was something very magical. It doesn’t come along very often, so a big shout-out and love to Placebo.”
Placebo CREDIT: John Stead
Placebo brought a “stripped back” set which saw a 6-piece band reimagine their acclaimed back catalogue. Singer Brian Molko told the crowd: “We haven’t played a gig in two years” and admitted to feeling a flutter of nerves. But they launched into an electrifying set that began with their cover of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Jackie’ before hits including ‘Special Needs’, ‘Pure Morning’ and ‘Taste In Men’.
‘Slave To The Wage’ and ‘Special K’ were sublime, with a new expansive sound, the audience entranced. “Would you like us to continue?” And a huge cheer preceded ‘Meds’.
Molko shared his gratitude on behalf of the band, saying: “Thank you for coming to support Teenage Cancer Trust. It really is just breathtaking work that they do, so can we give Teenage Cancer Trust a big round of applause!”
He also thanked promoter SJM and “of course, the legendary Robert Smith and for inviting us here tonight”.
The set ended with a heartbreaking, and rarely performed, ‘Centrefolds’ and a standing ovation from the crowd.
Garbage and Placebo backstage CREDIT: John Stead
The night was compered by Absolute Radio’s Danielle Perry, who said: “Tonight has been such a wonderful example of how music, community and charity can come together to make such a difference. Teenage Cancer Trust continues to do such incredible work and it’s been a complete honour to compere tonight alongside Garbage and Placebo at the Royal Albert Hall. The invitation from Robert Smith to join tonight was a privilege and I tilt my hat to him for curating such a brilliant week of shows.”
Celebrated accordionist Nihad Hrustanbegovic is playing at the venue each night as audiences arrive at Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall.
Cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease, yet cancer care wasn’t made for young people. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer, funding specialist nurses, youth workers and 28 hospital units within the NHS.
Its Royal Albert Hall fundraising concert series was launched and curated by Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron Sir Roger Daltrey, who was knighted for services to charity and music earlier this year, from 2000 to 2025.
Yungblud with his ‘Good Energy’ photo. CREDIT: André Langlois
This year Teenage Cancer Trust has launched ‘Good Energy’, an art exhibition and print series at the Royal Albert Hall, running from March 18th to April 9th. The collection captures the visceral, shared experience of live music between artist and fan, positioning the “mosh pit” not as a place of chaos, but as a sanctuary of safety and community. The exhibition features 21 limited-edition silk screen prints, chosen by iconic acts including The 1975, Geese, Fontaines DC, Wolf Alice, Yungblud, Nick Cave, Nia Archives, Keane, Sex Pistols feat Frank Carter, The Big Moon, The Snuts, Courteeners, Bring Me The Horizon, Enter Shikari, Elbow and more. Buy online HERE.
James Ainscough OBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have hosted Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual shows for a quarter of a century, supporting this vital and groundbreaking work that improves the lives of young people with cancer every day.”
Jules Worrall, Interim Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “The Royal Albert Hall gigs are pivotal in helping Teenage Cancer Trust change the lives of young people with cancer.
“For more than 20 years, our Honorary Patron Sir Roger Daltrey curated star-studded lineups year after year. For 2026, that baton has passed to Robert Smith, and wow, what a job he has done.
“Once again, some of the biggest names from across the music and entertainment industry will be making us sing, dance and laugh – but more importantly they will be raising essential funds and shining the brightest spotlight on the needs of young people with cancer. We are so grateful for Robert’s support, to every artist performing and everyone who buys a ticket.
“Here’s to an astonishing week of legendary gigs, and getting young people with cancer the specialised care and support they need.”
Rob Ballantine, Director of S.J.M Concerts, said: “SJM concerts have for over two decades been privileged to pull together the week of fund raising shows for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall.
“This year working with Cureator Robert Smith has been a real pleasure and we have seen first hand how hard and how diligently he has worked to bring together such a high calibre line up of artists. The respect he commands in the industry is obvious and we would like to add our name to that long list and thank him for such an amazing job. We know the fans will support these shows as they do every year and we hope to raise much needed funds for this amazing charity. Thank you to all the artists and their representatives who have made this happen, we look forward to an incredible week of shows at the Royal Albert Hall next March.”
Jane Ashton, Head of Music and Entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Once again, the music and entertainment industry has come together for a fantastic cause. Money raised from the Royal Albert Hall shows changes lives by funding specialist care and support for young people with cancer. We can’t thank the legend that is Robert Smith enough for all the time and energy he has given to curating this epic line-up.
“The 2025 series raised a wonderful record-breaking £2.05 million, but we’d love to beat it! The urgent need to support young people when they hear the devastating words ‘its cancer’ remains. Thanks to the unwavering support of artists, managers, agents, promoters, crew, and our generous audiences, Teenage Cancer Trust can help them get through cancer, rebuild their life and shape their own future.”
Garbage setlist
There’s No Future in Optimism
Hold
Fix Me Now
I Think I’m Paranoid
Vow
Run Baby Run
The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
Not My Idea
The Men Who Rule The World
Wolves
Lovesong
Chinese Fire Horse
Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)
When I Grow Up
Push It
The Day That I Met God
Stupid Girl
Only Happy When It Rains
Placebo setlist
Jackie
Special Needs
Begin The End
Pure Morning
Taste In Men
Blind
Follow The Cops Back Home
Beautiful James
Slave To The Wage
Special K
Post Blue
Meds
Centrefolds