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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Live Nation and the Royal Albert Hall have teamed up to launch new Country and Americana festival, Highways.

The London venue has confirmed acts such as Kip Moore, Morgan Wade, Jackson Dean and Stephen Wilson Jr for the inaugural festival on Saturday 20 May 2023.

Performances will be held in the main auditorium in addition to curated showcases speckled across adorning rooms.

“I am thrilled to bring to life this incredible festival alongside our partners at the Royal Albert Hall,” says Live Nation’s VP touring, Anna Sophie-Mertens. “It is every artist’s dream to play this legendary venue; and delivering such an unforgettable occasion for the Country and Americana community has been a longstanding dream of mine.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday (9 December), with further musical performances and offerings at Highways to be announced soon.

“We’re particularly pleased to be able to build on the long-running history of country music at the Hall in this way – as these genres continue to grow from strength to strength in the UK”

“We’re delighted to be building a completely new Country and Americana event with our long-standing partners at Live Nation,” adds Matthew Todd, head of programming and engagement at the Royal Albert Hall. “Our 152-year old auditorium will provide a backdrop unlike anywhere else for some brilliant acts, and we’re particularly pleased to be able to build on the long-running history of country music at the Hall in this way – as these genres continue to grow from strength to strength in the UK.”

The Hall has a long history of promoting country music and Americana in the UK, including shows by Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Denver, Kacey Musgraves and the UK debut of Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1970.

Other notable moments of American history at the venue have included addresses by five Presidents from Taft to Clinton, UK v US basketball tournaments during the war, The Beatles attending a Bob Dylan concert, Pink Floyd opening for Jimi Hendrix, and appearances by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Jay Z, and Diana Ross.

Elsewhere, the Country to Country (C2C) festival has added Morgan Evans to its main stage lineup for 2023. The Australian singer/songwriter joins previously announced headliners Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett and Lady A on the bill.

C2C’s 10-year celebration will take place at The O2 in London, Dublin’s 3Arena and Glasgow’s OVO Hydro from 10-12 March.

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