Night 7
THE WHO
plus special guests Level 42
Bill Murray, Sadie Frost, Paul McKenna and Tracy-Ann Oberman in the audience
Sunday 30th March 2025: Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall closed in spectacular fashion for another year with another unmissable performance by The Who.
Bill Murray was among the lucky audience in the packed venue along with Sadie Frost, Paul McKenna and Tracy-Ann Oberman. Hollywood star Murray recalled seeing The Who play 50 years ago and caught up with Roger Daltrey backstage after the gig. Pictures here.
Singer Roger Daltrey CBE launched the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series in 2000, and it has gone on to be an essential part of the UK’s music calendar, while raising more than £34 million for the charity. In 2026, The Cure’s Robert Smith will step in as guest curator.
The 2025 series ran from March 24-30, including The Who; The Corrs; James Arthur; a night of comedy hosted by Micky Flanagan; a special night by Erased Tapes featuring Penguin Cafe; and Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols.
After bringing the house down on Thursday, The Who roared into action on Sunday with the ‘60s hits ‘I Can’t Explain’ and ‘Substitute’.
‘Who Are You’ rocks with intent, Pete Townsend windmilling, while the unmistakable voice of Roger Daltrey fills the auditorium. Roger has been the driving force behind Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall since its inception in 2000, next year handing over to guest curator Robert Smith (The Cure).
The hits kept coming, with the likes of ‘The Kids Are Alright’ and the gorgeous ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ followed by a soaring ‘Real Me’.
Pete’s unique guitar style plays a starring role in ‘5:15’ before his vocals took the lead on a beautiful ‘I’m One’ (“loneliness starts sinking in”). Fan favourite ‘Love, Reign O’er Me’ received a rapturous reception before ‘My Generation’ spun out into an audience spanning the generations, before segueing into ‘See Me, Feel Me/Listening To You’,
The 1982 track ‘Eminence Front’ follows before ‘You Better You Bet’ truly peels back the years.
Roger and Pete enjoy a close bond with the band’s fans and crack jokes throughout their shows. At one point, Pete said: “Many of you will know this is not my chosen career – I would have preferred to have been a dustman, to be honest. But it’s glorious to be here with people like you tonight. Thank you so much.”
There was a standing ovation for ‘Baba O’Riley’, while ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ received a clap-along intro and the famous Daltrey scream was as huge as you could want. The ‘Song Is Over’ was a rare treat for fans.
Earlier in the evening, Level 42 kicked things off with the clarion call of ‘Heaven In My Hands’ for a set packed with hits. ‘To Be With You Again’ follows, and the undeniable tune of ‘Running In The Family’. ‘The Sun Goes Down (Livin’ It Up) is pure funk, and ‘Lessons in Love’ a pop classic.
Singer and bassist Mark King said: “Thank you for coming along and supporting this incredible charity, Teenage Cancer Trust.
“We’re here having some fun…and you’re going to have to put up with it!
“But look at the money you’re raising for these guys so thank you so much. They do an incredible job.
“And in this incredible venue too. What an incredible treat! It always blows my mind when I come and stand here. I don’t stand here very often, as you can imagine!”
Kate Collins, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We are delighted that some of the biggest names from across the music, and entertainment industry are performing at this year’s Teenage Cancer Trust gigs at the Royal Albert Hall. We couldn’t be more grateful for their commitment to raising vital funds for young people with cancer.
“These concerts, brainchild of – and driven by – the legendary Roger Daltrey since 2000, have raised a phenomenal £34 million to fund Teenage Cancer Trust’s work across the UK – making our specialist support possible across the UK so that young people with cancer get the expert, individual care and support they need at this unique and critical stage of their lives.
“These gigs would not exist without Roger, who remains a tireless Honorary Patron for the charity and is unstoppable in his support for young people with cancer.
“Teenage Cancer Trust exists because cancer care wasn’t made for young people. Without us, a young person diagnosed with cancer today would find themselves lumped together with small children or much older adults. It’s only thanks to our supporters that we can continue to be there for every young person who needs us.
“We’re deeply thankful to everyone who is involved in making these concerts possible—from the artists and the teams to the people who buy tickets to the shows.”
Jamie Johnson, Head of Music and Entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “I see firsthand the incredible impact the music and entertainment industry can make when it rallies behind a cause. The Royal Albert Hall shows are a cornerstone of our charity’s work, and their success is only possible thanks to the unwavering support of artists, managers, agents, promoters, crew, and our generous audiences.
„To date, these concerts have raised millions to funding specialist care and transform the experience of cancer for young people at a critical time in their lives. But the need has never been greater. The support of the music and entertainment industry remains vital to ensuring we can continue this life-changing work.
The shows are also proudly supported by American Airlines, Metro, Absolute Radio, S.J.M. Concerts, Twickets, and the Royal Albert Hall.
Aldi, which has partnered with Teenage Cancer Trust since 2017, and raised over £11 million for the charity to date is the headline sponsor for this year’s Royal Albert Hall series. Domino’s,which has partnered with Teenage Cancer Trust for ten years and has raised £8 million for the charity, is the official sponsor of the Ultimate Backstage Experience.
Royal Albert Hall 2025 Show Dates:
Monday, March 24: Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols plus special guests Kid Kapichi and The Molotovs
Tuesday, March 25: A night of comedy hosted by Micky Flanagan with Scott Bennett,
Finlay Christie, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Jack Skipper + Josh Widdicombe
Wednesday, March 26: James Arthur plus special guests Venus Grrrls
Thursday, March 27: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Friday, March 28: The Corrs plus special guests Dea Matrona
Saturday, March 29: Erased Tapes featuring Penguin Cafe, Daniel Brandt, Douglas Dare and Hatis Noit
Sunday, March 30: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Robert Smith
The charity is delighted that The Cure’s Robert Smith will curate Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in 2026.
One of the most celebrated artists in modern music, Robert has long been a supporter of the charity, with The Cure performing two classic shows in 2014, as well as in 2006. Robert was very active in his support of the Teenage Cancer Trust UNSEEN campaign during lockdown, helping the charity to continue to raise significant income during those tough times.
After being asked by the concerts’ founder, Roger Daltrey, Robert will personally oversee a world-class bill from 23-29 March 2026.
The news follows The Cure’s return to the top of the charts in 2024 with the critically lauded Songs Of A Lost World. In a career spanning more than 45 years, the band have produced some of the most influential albums in modern music, including Seventeen Seconds, Pornography, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, Disintegration and Wish, and classic pop songs such as ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, ‘A Forest’, ‘Just Like Heaven’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Friday I’m In Love’.
Robert Smith said: “Teenage Cancer Trust does the most fantastic work, and it is a great honour – and a real thrill – to be asked to curate the 2026 shows at the Royal Albert Hall. I can promise it will be a very memorable week!”
The concerts were founded in 2000 by The Who’s Roger Daltrey. Throughout that time, Daltrey put together lineups of internationally renowned artists. While he stepped back from figurehead duties in 2024, Daltrey remains a proud Honorary Patron of the charity.
Teenage Cancer Trust
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer.
Cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the UK than any other disease. And for those who survive, going through it without the right support can be devastating – physically and emotionally.
Every day, more than seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words “you have cancer”. By 2030 that number will be closer to 10.
There’s never been a worse time to receive that news, with healthcare services under enormous pressure.
Money from these iconic gigs at the Royal Albert Hall means Teenage Cancer Trust can fund specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person when cancer has turned their world upside down.
Cancer rates in young people in the UK have gone up by a quarter since the early 1990s. And by 2030, it’s projected that the number of young people living with a cancer diagnosis will be 65% higher.
Since 2000, over £34 million has been raised by Teenage Cancer Trust concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, and that money has helped fund specialist nurses, hospital units and support services right across the UK that help get young people through some unimaginably hard times.
@teenagecancer
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Bilder The WhoThe Who – Teenage Cancer Trust – Royal Albert Hall, London – March 2025 – © www.patrickgunning.com
