The legendary Teenage Cancer Trust concert series continued its 2026 residency at the Royal Albert Hall last night with a transcendent evening curated by The Cure’s Robert Smith. In a rare and deafeningly beautiful appearance, shoegaze pioneers my bloody valentine joined forces with a reimagined CHVRCHES to raise vital funds for young people facing cancer.
The night belonged to the visceral, "wall of noise" textures of my bloody valentine. Kevin Shields, Bilinda Butcher, Debbie Googe, and Colm Ó Cíosóig pushed the historic venue to its acoustic limits. From the opening pulses of "i only said" to the ambient rippling of "to here knows when," the band’s signature Loveless sound enveloped the audience in a physical embrace of volume and melody.
The set reached a fever pitch during "Wonder 2," which saw Ó Cíosóig swap drumsticks for a guitar to add to the sonic assault, before concluding with the traditional, ear-splitting "holocaust" section of "You Made Me Realise." Despite the intensity, the atmosphere remained intimate; at one point, Shields warmly reciprocated a fan’s declaration of love from the crowd.
Opening the night, CHVRCHES delivered a unique, "stripped-back" set specifically designed for the occasion. Leaning into their own shoegaze influences, the band performed hits like "The Mother We Share" and "Clearest Blue" with electronic drums and layered guitar textures. The highlight was a haunting rendition of "How Not To Drown," their previous collaboration with curator Robert Smith.
Now in its 26th year, the concert series remains the primary fundraiser for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Following Sir Roger Daltrey’s historic tenure, Robert Smith has taken the mantle as guest curator, assembling a lineup that includes Mogwai, Elbow, and Wolf Alice.
As Smith noted, the money raised ensures that no young person has to face a cancer diagnosis alone. With tickets for the remaining nights on sale now, fans are encouraged to support this essential cause while witnessing once-in-a-lifetime performances.
