Mad About Rock

  Saturday 28th March 2026: 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, thank...

  Two days after they opened the annual series of iconic shows, The Who played another incendiary Teenage Cancer Trust at The Royal Albert Hall last night. 5 star reviews of Monday’s gig gave the audience a taste of what to expect: “With strings scything stage right and timpani crashing away on the balcony, we get the full impact of band and venue combined. It’s easily the best-sounding gig this reviewer has heard in decades, and bombastic almost to the point of tectonic fracture.” The Independent “It was utterly magnificent. The sound was fantastic, filling the Royal Albert Hall with a glorious richness, doubling up the punchy drive of The Who’s earth-shaking rock with cinematic lushness.” Daily Telegraph Again, support came from very special guests, new wave rock legends, Squeeze, celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. The band blasted through a watertight set, packed with their biggest hits; a reminder of their timeless songwriting. “It’s a real privilege for us to ope...

  The Who returned to the Teenage Cancer Trust stage last night at the Royal Albert Hall, opening the annual series of iconic shows with an incredible orchestra, marking how they started the gigs back in 2000. Support came from very special guests, new wave rock legends, Squeeze, who are themselves celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. With a set jam packed with their classics they led the celebrations. “It’s Quarter to 8 on a Monday evening and we should all be having our tea. But instead we’re all going to get up and dance around to ‘Slap and Tickle’ ladies and gentlemen,” said Chris Difford as the band got the Hall bouncing. ‘Up The Junction’ came early, the country swing of ‘Labelled With Love’ followed, rockabilly of ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and a pared back, harmony soaked ‘Tempted’ led up to a big finish of ‘Cool For Cats.’ The Who were met by an ecstatic sold-out crowd, ready to savour every moment of this hugely special night. And they delivered. Backed for much o...

  Audiences at this year’s 52nd Mountbatten Festival of Music (MFM) at the Royal Albert Hall in March are in for an extra special treat when global drumming icon of Iron Maiden fame, Nicko McBrain, takes to the stage to join The Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines . The heavy metal musician will be part of the three concerts that will offer fans a once-in-a lifetime experience during the evening concert on Friday 8th March; and the matinee and evening shows on Saturday 9th March 2024. With 100 musicians drawn from the five Royal Marines Bands, alongside their world-famous Corps of Drums, the spectacular concerts showcase the outstanding versatility of some of the world’s finest military musicians. Commenting on what might seem an unlikely combination of talents, Nicko says: “It is such an honour to be invited to perform with the Massed Bands of His Majesty’s Royal Marines at the 2024 Mountbatten Festival of Music. I feel so humbled to be a part of this fantastic event. I...