17 February 2020
Newsdesk
Teenage Cancer Trust has announced two further acts set to headline its annual fundraising concert series at the Royal Albert Hall in 2020, which take place from March 23rd to March 29th.
John Bishop will be on hand to provide all the laughter during this year’s comedy gig. One of the UK’s biggest names in comedy, Bishop has achieved huge success with a number of comedy and documentary shows that have been broadcast across BBC One, ITV and Sky1. His best-known shows include ‘John Bishop’s Only Joking’, ‘The John Bishop Show’ (BBC1) and ‘John Bishop: In Conversation With…’. John has headlined numerous sell out UK arena tours. His 2015 tour, ‘Supersonic’ was watched by more than 500,000 people. His show at the Royal Albert Hall was recorded for release and became the fastest selling stand-up DVD in UK history.
The Who’s headline slot this year is certainly one for the books as they played the very first Teenage Cancer Trust show back in 2000 - marking one of the first times they had played together in over 15 years.
With over 100 million records sold in a career that spans across five decades, The Who are widely considered to be one of the most influential and important bands of the 20th century. Emerging as one of the frontrunners during the British Invasion of the 1960s, they quickly became one of Britain’s most exciting prospects, searing a new template for rock, punk, and everything after. The band’s magnum opus ‘Tommy’ has regularly been named as one of the most significant releases in the history of rock, with the album later being developed into a feature film, pioneering the ‘rock opera’.
Across their career, The Who have played over 2000 shows, gracing some of the world’s greatest stages including Woodstock, Monterey, Glastonbury, Hyde Park, Live Aid, The Superbowl and even the 2012 Olympics. Infamous for their lively performances, Rolling Stone magazine named the guitar-smashing incident at the Railway Hotel in 1964 as one of the "50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock 'n' Roll".
2020 marks the 20th year of Teenage Cancer Trust’s phenomenally successful series of music and comedy events at The Royal Albert Hall, which were started by Roger Daltrey CBE, making this year all the more special The gigs will also help celebrate the 30th anniversary of Teenage Cancer Trust.
Some of the biggest names in entertainment have now raised more than £30 million for Teenage Cancer Trust’s specialist nurses, hospital wards and support teams that help young people through the toughest times of their lives.
Over the past 20 years, audiences at Teenage Cancer Trust’s annual gigs 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, Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine and many more.
Other headliners previously announced so far are: Stereophonics featuring very special guest Paul Weller (25th March), Groove Armada (26th March), Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (27th March) and Nile Rodgers & Chic (29th March).
For additional line-up and ticketing information visit teenagecancertrust.org/gigs
Roger Daltrey CBE, Teenage Cancer Trust Patron, said:
“When we were asked to play the first Teenage Cancer Trust concert back in 2000, we would never have dreamed that we’d be headlining again in 2020…or could have possibly imagined the huge difference these shows would have for the charity and, on the lives of thousands of teenagers and young people with cancer.
“All the acts have given up their time for free, and this year the artists are absolute legends. It’s also incredible to have three artists who were at the very first gig – Kelly Jones, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher - join us as headliners in our 20th year.
“It is an honour to be a patron of this charity, and to have helped raised millions that have paid for Teenage Cancer Trust nurses, support teams and special hospital wards right across the UK.
“I’d like to dedicate this 20th anniversary gig to the incredible people who care for young people with cancer each and every day.”
Before Teenage Cancer Trust was established in 1990 there was no specialist cancer care for teenagers and young adults. Those aged 13-24 were being treated on adult wards, or in children’s wards, and this could cause additional stress and trauma. Many felt alone and isolated, as it was likely they’d never meet another person their age with cancer.
Today, around half of all young people with cancer are treated on 28 Teenage Cancer Trust wards across the UK, by specialist nurses and youth support teams. Almost every young person with cancer can get support from specialist Teenage Cancer Trust nurses wherever they live.
As Teenage Cancer Trust celebrates 30 years, the charity is focused on driving up survival rates for young people with cancer, championing their needs to ensure they have equal access to vital care and expanding its own services to be there after treatment ends, as young people rebuild their lives after cancer.
