This year’s Teenage Cancer Trust concert series raised more than £2 million, for only the second time in the event’s 25-year history.

Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall from 24–30 March, the 2025 series included performances from The Who, The Corrs, James Arthur and Sex Pistols ft Frank Carter.

This year also marked the 25th year of Teenage Cancer Trust’s flagship events at the venue, which were started by the charity’s patron, The Who’s Roger Daltrey CBE. Since then, £36 million has been raised to help fund specialist nurses, hospital units and support services across the UK.

Since launching in 2000, Daltrey has persuaded superstars such as Paul McCartney, Oasis, Muse, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran, The Cure, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Take That, to perform unique, one-night-only gigs to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

“We at SJM Concerts are indebted to the industry for their unwavering support of these concerts and this charity”

“We’re deeply grateful to the artists who gave their time and talent, the managers and agents who support them, the production teams who work tirelessly to deliver a world-class week of shows, our partners at SJM Concerts, headline sponsor Aldi, the Royal Albert Hall, and of course, the passionate fans who filled the Hall every night,” says Jamie Johnson, head of music and entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust.

“These shows are built on generosity, belief and community. The need for our work is growing, and so is our determination to meet it. The continued support of the music and comedy industries remains vital – and we don’t take it for granted. Together, we’re making sure no young person faces cancer alone.”

It was recently announced that The Cure’s frontman, Robert Smith, will be the guest curator of Teenage Cancer Trust’s 2026 concert series.

“We are thrilled to start the plans for 2026 shows,” said Ballantine. “That will bring yet another new and interesting dynamic to the week of gigs and we are enormously grateful to Robert for taking on this challenge.”

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Declan McKenna, Tom Walker and Nathan Evans among others will perform intimate phone-free gigs across Scotland to raise money for suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

In the run-up to Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May 2025), CALM will host three concerts at the Edinburgh Assembly Rooms, Stirling Albert Halls and Glasgow Old Fruit Market. Nina Nesbitt, Saint PHNX and Caity Baser will deliver support sets.

Each venue will be using Yondr phone pouches for the duration of the shows to ensure mobile phones and any other recording equipment aren’t used during the performances.

Tickets cost £12.20 each – the amount it takes to fund a call to CALM’s free-to-access suicide prevention helpline, which is run by trained professionals – and 30% of ticket sales will be donated to the charity to make their work possible.

“Music, and musicians, truly are a lifeline for so many people going through tough times”

“CALM started its life in music, having been set up by Factory Records’ Tony Wilson,” says Simon Gunning, CEO of Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). “It’s part of our DNA, and a key tool in our fight against suicide. Music, and musicians, truly are a lifeline for so many people going through tough times, and it’s apt that these three gigs are taking place in the lead up to Mental Health Awareness Week.

“The theme this year is community, and there really is no greater community than music, and the collective experience of live music in particular – especially when we get a chance to switch off from our phones for a few hours. We’re incredibly grateful to all the artists involved, including our Ambassador Tom Walker.”

Phone-free gigs are an increasing trend, with acts including Bob Dylan and Ghost forbidding devices at their recent gigs. Iconic hotel and nightspot Pikes Ibiza, meanwhile, prohibits mobile phones from the dancefloor seven nights a week.

See the full list of CALM’s concerts below.

Edinburgh Assembly Rooms – Friday 2nd May 2025
Tom Walker – Nina Nesbitt

Stirling Albert Halls – Tuesday 6th May 2025
Declan McKenna – Bradley Simpson

Glasgow Old Fruit Market – Saturday 10th May 2025
Nathan Evans & Saint PHNX – Caity Baser

Fans can now sign up for the on-sale at 10 am on Thursday 17 April.

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A surprise Nirvana reunion and performances by an array of other A-listers put the seal on last night’s epic, star-studded FireAid charity gigs in Los Angeles.

Produced by the Azoff family in conjunction with Live Nation and AEG Presents, the near six-hour event was organised at just two weeks’ notice to raise funds for the LA wildfire relief effort, in the wake of one of the largest natural disasters in US history.

At least 29 people have been killed as a result of the January 2025 blazes, which have destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

Speaking before the two-venue benefit, FireAid co-organiser Irving Azoff said he hoped the concerts – held at the city’s Intuit Dome (cap. 18,000) and Kia Forum (17,500) – would raise upwards of $50 million to rebuild communities devastated by the wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.

The event started at 6pm PST at the Kia Forum and 7.30pm at the Intuit Dome.

Actor Billy Crystal, who lost his Pacific Palisades home in the fires, opened the show by explaining that Intuit Dome owner Steve Ballmer would match every donation received, including the $1 million pledged by the night’s first donors, U2.

Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Tate McRae performed at Intuit Dome, while Alanis Morissette, Anderson. Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks and The Black Crowes appeared at the Kia Forum.

Nirvana surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear reunited, fronted by a lineup of female guest vocalists

One of the evening’s most talked-about moments saw Nirvana surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear reunite, fronted by a lineup of female guest vocalists – St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Grohl’s daughter Violet –who sang the band’s Breed, School, Territorial Pissings and All Apologies, respectively.

Another highlight included Eilish duetting on stage with Green Day, while Joni Mitchell delivered a rare performance, singing Both Sides Now while sat on a gold throne.

“Mitchell’s observation that ‘something’s lost but something’s gained in living every day’ was met with a huge cheer,” wrote the Telegraph‘s James Hall. “It felt like a dose of regal perspective from one of the all-time greats. The song was recorded in LA. And this is where this concert was most effective. The host of songs recorded in, or written about, LA reminded us about the place’s musical pedigree and what could all too easily be lost.”

The fundraiser was broadcast and streamed live on Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, and at select AMC Theatre locations in 70 US markets.

“When widespread devastation creates uncertainty and suffering, maybe the sound of massive stars delivering deeply beloved songs can provide comfort and consolation,” said Chris Richards of the Washington Post. “The livestream didn’t resemble a telethon so much as a transmission from the tower of song in which lyrics chiseled in stone suddenly felt like they were freshly inked for this occasion.”

Lady Gaga, meanwhile, closed the event by debuting a new track, All I Need is Time, written especially for the occasion with her fiance Michael Polansky.

“By the end of the night, it was lost how much money was raised; gone are the Jerry Lewis telethon days when a ticker showed the numbers climbing higher and higher,” concluded the Guardian‘s Rob LeDonne. “Perhaps the number was so big it could have discouraged additional donations. Regardless of the figure, FireAid proved the power of music and how a just cause can bring together polar opposites. If anything, here’s hoping it’s a harbinger for the future.”

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Details have been confirmed for the return of two of the Royal Albert Hall’s flagship live music events – the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) concert series and Highways festival.

Running from 24-31 March, the Trust’s annual week of shows, which raises funds for young people with cancer, will feature gigs by The Who, The Corrs, James Arthur, Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols and comedian Micky Flanagan, as well as a night hosted by social media personality GK Barry.

A 25-year-old TikToker and podcaster, Barry has been unveiled as ambassador of Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2025 and will headline GK Barry Live! with very special guests on Saturday 29 March.

“This year we are delighted to welcome GK Barry as a Teenage Cancer Trust ambassador and to see her headlining the Saturday night slot at the gigs this year,” says Jamie Johnson, head of music and entertainment at Teenage Cancer Trust.

“We’ve never had anyone like GK Barry performing at the gigs before. Content creators play a huge part in today’s entertainment world and we hope that by embracing this new genre, we can reach another new type of audience, which will help us to raise even more funds and awareness of cancer in young people.”

This year’s edition marks the first since Roger Daltrey – who launched the series at the London venue in 2000 – stepped down as curator, with TCT now working with a series of guest curators to take the shows forward. Daltrey remains an honorary patron of the charity.

“The support of the music and entertainment industry remains vital to ensuring we can continue this life-changing work”

“I see firsthand the incredible impact the music and entertainment industry can make when it rallies behind a cause,” adds Johnson. “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.”

In addition, the Royal Albert Hall and Live Nation have announced the return of Country and Americana festival Highways for 16-17 May. The event will feature two exclusive European solo performances by Eric Church, who will top the bill with his residency show To Beat The Devil, alongside special guests Molly Tuttle, Caylee Hammack and Bella White, with more artists to be announced.

“Our third edition of Highways is set to be a special occasion not to be missed with Eric Church, one of Nashville’s greats, headlining both nights,” says Live Nation’s SVP of touring Anna-Sophie Mertens. “His acclaimed residency will make history at Highways as the only time we get to see this show in Europe and there isn’t a venue more fitting to experience this than the Royal Albert Hall.

“I am also delighted to welcome the enormously talented Molly Tuttle, Caylee Hammack and Bella White on the bill along with a final fourth act, which we cannot yet reveal, but I can confirm it will be their first-ever UK performance. We will also see the return of our hugely popular series of intimate events in the Elgar Room including Country for Kids, the Songwriter’s Round and our Late Night Specials.”

Matthew Todd, director of programming at the Royal Albert Hall, adds: “Highways has quickly become a staple in the UK’s country and Americana calendar, and there is no better venue for those genres than the Hall, which has been hosting country concerts since the days of Johnny Cash.”

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Attitude is Everything (AIE) founder Suzanne Bull MBE will depart the UK-based disability music charity after 25 years.

Bull will step down from her position at the end of March to pursue new projects across the arts, culture and breast cancer advocacy. AIE, founded in 2000, works to connect disabled people with the live and event industries and to improve access together.

“As many of you will be aware, I live with a cancer diagnosis as well as being disabled,” she says. “In March 2025, I’ll be halfway through my treatment, so this seems like a good point for me to live life at a slower pace and have the opportunity to pursue my other interests.”

“It’s been a privilege to have been part of a team that makes real change, and I hope that I’ve contributed to making disabled people’s lives more bearable through music.

“This decision hasn’t been easy, because working at Attitude is Everything is my dream job. But although I’m sad to be leaving, I know that the organisation will continue to thrive for many years to come, until one day, we’ll be able to say that there are no barriers to disabled people going to, performing or volunteering at, or working in live events.”

Paul Hawkins, AIE’s head of skills development, will step in as interim managing director until a new CEO is installed.

“The company is in a very strong position to move forward”

Managing director Celia Makin-Bell is also set to leave the charity in mid-January to take up a new position.

Since joining in July 2021, Makin-Bell is said to have played a crucial role in the team’s stability, doubling turnover since the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing staff, and attracting new investment from sources including Arts Council England.

“I am sad to be leaving Attitude is Everything, but I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved over the last few years. The company is in a very strong position to move forward, and to continue delivering the kinds of impactful change that is still so vitally needed,” Makin-Bell says.

“I have greatly enjoyed working with Suzanne and have learnt so much from her, as well as having a lot of fun! I think our experience of co-leadership shows how different strengths, personal qualities and experiences can come together in a really positive way.”

Jacqui Adeniji-Williams, AIE co-chair, says the reshuffling signals a new phase for the charity.

“Perhaps the greatest testament to Suzanne and Celia is how they’ve built such a resilient and robust organisation, and one which is well placed to support even more people and remove even more barriers. Going forward we are now fully focussed on finding a new leader with the skill set and ambition to deliver on those aspirations.”

In recent years, AIE has delivered a series of ‘sobering’ reports detailing the state of the UK music experience for artists, fans, and professionals alike.

In September, the charity detailed the systemic barriers disabled UK musicians face; in June 2023, AIE joined with Black Lives In Music to assess the roadblocks Black disabled music creators and professionals face.

AIE also launched the Live Events Access Charter to encourage event organisers to build disability equality into all aspects of their venue or event and to make improvements in response to feedback from Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. A new charter is due to be launched next month.

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The latest edition of music-inspired endurance event Music Mudder raised more than £75,000 for UK music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.

Organised by talent agency Wasserman Music in partnership with the charity, Music Mudder 2024 saw 540 people across 56 teams – covering the breadth of the music industry – take on over 40 obstacles at the Camelot Events ‘Nuts Challenge’ course in Dorking, Surrey, on Friday 13 September.

Promoter Oscar Tuttiett, who competed on the ‘AEG Winners 2023 A’ team, completed the 7km course in the fastest individual time of 49 minutes 21 seconds. Team Atlantic took the top spot as the fastest overall team, with an average time of 1 hour 18 minutes and 38 seconds.

ASM Global won the top prize for fundraising, with over £8,000 raised through the Enthuse platform and match funding.

“It was incredible to see so much team spirit on display at this year’s Music Mudder, with everyone encouraging each other to keep going and break through that finish line covered head to toe in mud,” says Wasserman Music agent Lucy Putman. “The atmosphere was awesome and we’re so happy to have raised over £75,000 and counting for Nordoff and Robbins. We’ve loved seeing Music Mudder go from strength to strength over the last few years and can’t wait for the fifth anniversary event in 2025, so register now and get ready to take on the challenge next September.”

“Events like this are so important in helping our amazing music therapists continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society through the power of music”

The event also featured a prize draw, which included Oasis tickets, NFL London tickets, the chance to climb Up at The O2 and a night’s stay at exclusive London lifestyle hotel Sea Containers, helping to raise £5,000 on the day.

“We’re so grateful to the hundreds of music industry execs who took part in Music Mudder 2024 and raised so much money for Nordoff and Robbins’ vital music therapy services,” adds Sandy Trappitt, deputy director of fundraising, Nordoff and Robbins. “Events like this are so important in helping our amazing music therapists continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society through the power of music.

“Our thanks go out to Wasserman Music for partnering with us on this special event and to all the companies and individuals who generously gave up their time and resources to make it a success.”

The list of teams taking part comprised 4th Floor Creative, Absolute Label Services, Accenture, AEG, Anglo Management Music Ltd, Anjunabeats/Anjunadeep, ASM Global, Atlantic Records UK, CAA, CC Young & Co, Demon Music Group, Dice, Festival Republic, Gelfand Rennert & Feldman, Hard Rock Cafe, Hardwick and Morris, Huntress, ILMC, InterTalent AC Ltd and Lee & Thompson LLP.

Other participants included Live Nation, MEATliquor, Mercury, MSE Business Management LLP, One Fiinix Live, Only Helix, Prager Metis, RCA, Round Marketing, Russells, September Management Ltd, Sheridans, Sony Music, Sony Music Publishing, Superstruct Entertainment Limited, The Other Songs & Another Rhythm, Ticketmaster, Tysers Live, Universal Music Group, UTA, Wasserman Music, WME and YMU Business Management Ltd.

Registrations are now open for next year’s Music Mudder, which is scheduled for Friday 19 September 2025.

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The 2024 edition of the O2 Silver Clef Awards has so far raised £760,000 and counting for Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.

The 48th instalment of the event took place last Friday (5 July) at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, presented by Scottish radio DJ and television presenter Edith Bowman.

The likes of Blur, AC/DC, Chaka Khan, Mark Knopfler, Jessie Ware, Loyle Carner, Texas, The 1975, Ezra Collective, Jacob Collier, Cat Burns and Young Fathers were among the award winners.

Blur were honoured with the flagship O2 Silver Clef Award, AC/DC won the Legend Award, Chaka Khan walked away with the Global Impact Award and Mark Knopfler received the Music Icon Award.

Jessie Ware won Best Female, Loyle Carner took home the Best Male Award, The 1975 were crowned Best Group and Texas received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

In addition, Jacob Collier picked up the Innovation in Music Award, Cat Burns received the Best New Music Award, Ezra Collective won the Contemporary Music Award and Young Fathers received Best Live Act.

Guest award presenters included Mica Paris, Clara Amfo, Jamie Cullum, Chris Evans, Annie Mac, Athian Akec and SJM Concerts’ Simon Moran.

Money raised from the O2 Silver Clef Awards will support Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists in reaching those living with autism, dementia, learning difficulties, brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, mental health challenges, grief and trauma; helping them to connect and communicate through music.

“Music really does heal”

Earlier this year, CAA’s Emma Banks was appointed chair of Nordoff and Robbins, with AEG Presents’ Lucy Noble supporting her as vice chair.

Banks told IQ: “It felt great on Friday to be in the room for the 02 Silver Clef Awards – we had changed the format a little and I think it landed well. Importantly we ended the day at about £760,000 and should be able to improve a bit by the time we close the books. I loved the passion that our award honourees brought to the event – such great, heartfelt speeches from people who totally understand our important mission and are so willing to help us.”

Gareth Griffiths, director, O2, adds: “We are incredibly proud of the money raised at this year’s O2 Silver Clef Awards. What a day celebrating the outstanding achievements of all the talented artists recognised this year. A special congratulations to blur for receiving the well-deserved O2 Silver Clef Award. Their contributions to the music industry have been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are honoured to be part of this momentous occasion. At O2, we are committed to supporting the music industry and look forward to continuing our partnership with Nordoff and Robbins to support more people through their incredible music therapy efforts across the nation.”

Alex James, Blur, says: “Making music with my brothers in blur has been one of the great gifts of my life. We are absolutely chuffed to receive the O2 Silver Clef Award and help raise awareness for Nordoff and Robbins, a brilliant organisation.”

Brian Johnson, AC/DC, adds: “We’re over the moon to receive the Amazon Music Legend Award. As a band, we’ve been dishing out our own brand of music therapy for the past five decades, so to hear all about how Nordoff and Robbins helps the young and the old with the power of music is something that we understand and salute. Thank you for this honour.”

Chaka Khan, comments: “Music has always been my solace, my strength, my voice, a gift. I’m grateful for this beautiful honour to be part of the Nordoff and Robbins creative community, where the power of music is used to transform, inspire, and bring love to the world. Music really does heal.”

Since 1976, the Silver Clef Awards have raised over £13.5 million for Nordoff and Robbins’ music therapy services and honoured some of the world’s biggest artists.

Stormzy, David Bowie, Ed Sheeran, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, George Michael, Annie Lennox, Dame Shirley Bassey, Kylie Minogue, The Rolling Stones, Oasis and Coldplay are among previous award winners.

Next year’s edition of the O2 Silver Clef Awards will take place on a Wednesday (2 July 2025) for the first time.

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This year’s Teenage Cancer Trust concert series raised more than £2 million for the charity for the first time in its 24-year history.

Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall from 18-24 March, the 2024 series marked the final week of shows with Roger Daltrey as curator.  The lineup included three nights of celebrations of Daltrey himself, including two nights with The Who and an orchestra, and Ovation – A Celebration of 24 Years of Gigs For Teenage Cancer Trust.

The latter night featured many of those who helped establish the gigs as a celebrated annual event such as Daltrey, Kelly Jones, Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Pete Townshend, Eddie Vedder and Paul Weller.

The week also saw headline performances by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Young Fathers and Chemical Brothers, as well as a Night of Comedy.

“Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend have tirelessly built up these concerts annually for 24 years and when they started by telling me they wanted to bring their orchestrated Who show to the Royal Albert Hall, we knew we were off to a strong start,” says Rob Ballantine, director at SJM Concerts with responsibility for the shows.

“My fellow director Chris York has promoted The Chemical Brothers from the beginning and they wanted to end this tour cycle with Chris at the Hall. That was a major shift in direction for the venues normal talent and was such an incredible night it will live long in Albert Hall folklore! Noel Gallagher has supported the charity from day one and believes this year’s gig was one of his best in London ever due to the energy of the audience.

“This was the first time Young Fathers had set foot in the venue and they absolutely delivered! All seven nights sold out including the annual comedy night headlined by Kevin Bridges. The curtain came down with an Ovation to Roger Daltrey from Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller, Kelly Jones and Robert Plant all of whom have supported Roger from the start.”

“The stature of the artists ensured we could charge high ticket prices and customers supporting these shows understand there is a premium on the ticket”

Ballantine continues: “The stature of the artists ensured we could charge high ticket prices and customers supporting these shows understand there is a premium on the ticket as it’s a fundraising week. However, to ensure everyone got their money’s worth we also brought special guests such as Squeeze and Blossoms both of whom are headliners in their own right and we kept John Bishop as a surprise guest on the night.

“I believe there is a lot of returning business to these shows from both artists and audiences who both have a real affinity with the charity and its work for teenagers. I know they trust us to deliver a great line up and we are overwhelmed by the support from artists year after year. To break all records and raise over £2million for the charity is phenomenal and makes all the hard work worthwhile. We know since Covid the charity have been hit financially and these funds will be much needed.”

Daltrey, frontman of The Who and founder/curator of historic annual concert series, adds: “To find out that this year’s concerts in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust raised over £2 million for Teenage Cancer Trust was music to my ears. After 24 years of doing the concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, to make that much money in my final year as curator is really special. That’s all I wanted when I started these gigs – to make money and bring awareness to an important cause, which has shown what an amazing difference the people at Teenage Cancer Trust can make to a young person dealing with cancer. With a target of building 28 hospital units, I’ve completed the job I set out to do. We have built 28. I’m not going away from the Teenage Cancer Trust – we still have a lot more to do.

“I’ll continue working with them whilst someone else curates the Royal Albert Hall shows, I’ll make sure it’ll be in good hands. The money we raise during that week of gigs is vital to us. It changes people’s lives. Thank you to everyone who came and donated this year, and every year since we started in 2000 – what a ride it’s been.”

Since launching the series at the history London venue in 2000, Daltrey has persuaded superstars such as Paul McCartney, Oasis, Muse, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran, The Cure, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Take That, to perform unique, one night only gigs to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, generating more than £32 million from ticket sales in the process.

“We have secured three amazing global superstars to individually curate the next three years and they will have already started behind the scenes planning”

“What an incredible way to mark Roger’s final year curating these flagship fundraising gigs,” says Teenage Cancer Trust chief executive Kate Collins. “The terrific total raised has never been more needed. We rely on donations to make sure young people don’t face cancer alone and these funds will make a difference to teenagers and young people with cancer when they need it most.

“The phrase legend is over-used but totally applies to Roger and what he has achieved. We can’t thank him enough for all he has done over the last 24 years to make these gigs such a spectacular success. When he pulled together his friends for that first one-off gig in 2000, I don’t think anyone could have imagined what it would have grown into. There have been so many memorable moments and he’s inspired the music industry and music fans to change the lives of young people with cancer.”

She adds: “What hasn’t changed over the years is that young people with cancer need us in their corner – making sure they are not forgotten. Young people with cancer face unique challenges – from challenges accessing clinical trials through to the impact of cancer at a critical point in their lives, it is essential that they receive specialist care tailored to their unique needs.

“We’ve come a long way since that first gig but progress won’t continue without an organisation like Teenage Cancer Trust to fight for it. Roger’s achievement is about more than the money raised – it’s about the spotlight he has shone on the needs of young people with cancer and the difference this has made to thousands of young people’s lives over the years.”

James Ainscough OBE, chief executive of the Royal Albert Hall, adds: “It’s a huge honour to have hosted this incredible concert series for more than twenty years – one of the jewels in the crown of our programme, and such a privilege to support the mission of Teenage Cancer Trust. This year’s concerts felt particularly poignant with Roger stepping down after 24 glorious years, but we’re very excited to see how the series develops over the coming years.”

From 2025, Teenage Cancer Trust will work with a series of guest curators to take the shows forward. Next year’s shows will run from 24 to 30 March.

“With Roger standing down we face a new and exciting challenge,” concludes Ballantine. “We wanted to give the amazing opportunity to other artists to curate a week of shows at the best venue in the UK. We know it’s a challenge but for an artist to start with a blank canvas and bring together a week of shows reflecting the best of our industry and raise funds for such a worthy cause is an offer most will jump at.

“We have secured three amazing global superstars to individually curate the next three years and they will have already started behind the scenes planning. We are excited to reveal these annually when the shows go on sale. If there are any agents, managers, artists who would like to schedule a show for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall into their live calendar they are very welcome to contact us at SJM Concerts.”

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DHP Family’s charity festival Beat The Streets has announced its January event raised £81,600 for the unhoused population across the East Midlands region of England.

All proceeds raised by the one-day festival go to Framework, a Nottingham-based charity that provides a network of support for at-risk and homeless individuals in the region. Since its inception in 2018, the multi-venue event has raised £490,600 for the charity.

This year, funds will be dedicated to supporting the charity’s Street Outreach team, which engages with the local homeless community daily. Money raised during Beat The Streets will “cover a large part of the cost” to help secure a quarter of the team, which came under risk after Nottingham City Council reduced funding to the charity, said Framework’ CEO Andrew Redfern.

“The level of rough sleeping continues to rise relentlessly,” Redfern says. “Funds raised at the 2024 festival back in January will help us maintain the outreach team who work with people on the streets of Nottingham every day of the year.”

“We’ve been able to make another significant contribution to the hard work that Framework do, at a particularly vital time”

Nottingham’s rough sleeper population is growing nearly 20% every year, per Framework, as the housing association works to provide housing, health, employment support, and care services to 18,500 people per year.

The festival’s seventh annual, which took place on 28 January, featured special guests Beats on Toast, Fat Digester, Lois, George Gadd + The Aftermath, along with more than 50 local artists. All proceeds from tickets, bar purchases and merchandise went directly to Framework.

“The funds raised each year at our event make a tangible difference to the lives of homeless people in the area, and thanks to everyone who attended, performed at, and worked on our 2024 event, we’ve been able to make another significant contribution to the hard work that Framework do, at a particularly vital time,” says DHP Family’s MD George Akins.

Beat The Streets is delivered by DHP Family in collaboration with local organisations and music groups, including I’m Not from London; Farmyard Records; Hockley Hustle, and Rough Trade.

DHP Family also owns and operates the 25,000-capacity Splendour Festival — which has been cancelled for 2024 — and multiple venues across the UK. The organisation also promotes concerts and tours while also operating independent ticketing platform alt. tickets.

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Live Aid promoter Harvey Goldsmith has announced the launch of a global charity concert series to combat climate change.

Earth Aid Live is slated to take place in six countries in five continents over a single weekend in August 2025. Locations will include London, UK, Los Angeles, US and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, reports the Guardian.

The series has been created by UMA Entertainment Group, which is chaired by Goldsmith.

“We are standing on the brink of a historic moment with this revolutionary global event series, heralding a new era marked by unity, sustainability, and a profound positive impact on the planet,” says the legendary promoter.  “Building on what we have already achieved with Live Aid, our aspiration is to unite people from all walks of life in the shared mission of bettering our world.”

Evolving “from a traditional fundraising effort”, the Earth Aid Live shows will be designed to “provoke wider climate action in its audiences, spanning “individual action, community engagement, corporate participation and intergovernmental collaboration”.

No lineup details have yet been released, but organisers say the gigs will “strive” to achieve “net zero carbon”, with “transparent carbon reporting”. Similar “milestone stadium concerts” are also in the works for 2030 and 2035, with the idea of hosting concerts in the metaverse as well as in real life.

“We have been working with some incredible minds on this project over the past few years to develop comprehensive calls to action centred around making better choices for our future: as individuals, in business and as governments, the power and opportunity for change lies within all of us,” adds UMA Entertainment CEO Simon O’Kelly.

“We are passionate about the chance we have to leverage culture on a scale seen only a handful of times before”

“Above all else, we are passionate about the chance we have to leverage culture on a scale seen only a handful of times before, with an entertainment series that transcends borders and unites cultures and generations, creating real, lasting change, the world over.”

It was reported last month that benefit gigs to fight climate change were being planned for the UK and US in early 2025 – 40 years on from the iconic Live Aid concerts – featuring acts including Rita Ora and Robbie Williams.

The 1985 Live Aid concerts, organised by Goldsmith, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, saw acts including Queen, David Bowie, U2, the Who, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Black Sabbath and Bob Dylan perform to around 160,000 fans in London and Philadelphia on 13 July 1985.

The concerts were watched by a further two billion people on television worldwide and raised more than $127 million for victims of the Ethiopian famine.

A subsequent string of benefit shows, Live 8, were held in the G8 states and South Africa in July 2005, featuring artists such as U2 and Paul McCartney, Elton John, Jay-Z, Pink Floyd, Madonna, Kanye West, Coldplay, Robbie Williams and Stevie Wonder.

Goldsmith also advised on the 2007 Live Earth global event series, which featured the likes of Metallica, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, Roger Waters, Alicia Keys, Foo Fighters, Madonna, Kanye West, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Police.

Interested in the intersection of sustainability and live events? Don’t miss out on the 16th edition of the Green Events and Innovations conference. For more information, click here.

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