Superstar TikToker and podcaster GK Barry can today be revealed as the face of Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2025 - and will be performing along with a heavyweight bill including The Who; The Corrs; James Arthur; Micky Flanagan; and Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols.
The unmissable week of events takes place in March and tickets go on sale at 9am Friday 31 January - and are expected to sell very quickly. For a chance to be in the room for iconic nights with these superstars and support this fantastic charity, fans will need to get online quickly.
GK Barry Live! With very special guests will take place on Saturday 29 March. The star, fresh from winning over millions of fans on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, becomes Teenage Cancer Trust’s latest ambassador. The charismatic presenter is known for her humorous and relatable TikTok persona and the hit podcast Saving Grace, which she has taken to packed crowds at both Wembley Arena and the Palladium.
The week of shows will kick off on Monday 24 March with the “rip-roaring punk rock redux” (The Guardian) of Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, who will tear through their seminal album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’ with punk classics from ‘Pretty Vacant’ to ‘Anarchy in the UK’ and, of course, ‘God Save The Queen’ (*or King). When the line-up - featuring the Gallows singer on vocals - made its debut in 2024, the Standard wrote: “Carter, and three of the original Sex Pistols members led the thronging, sweaty crowd through a night of unadulterated punk rock mayhem at Bush Hall.” Louder described the show as: “Sheer joy. They should tour it everywhere. God save their mad parade.” The band will play their first 2025 gig at the Royal Albert Hall - and there can be no more appropriate venue for these songs. Support will come from beat-punk outfit Kid Kapichi and fast-rising trio The Molotovs.
GK Barry’s show and ambassadorship marks a new era for the Royal Albert Hall concert series, which was founded in 2000 by Roger Daltrey CBE. While he stepped back from figurehead duties last year, Daltrey remains a proud Honorary Patron of the charity and The Who fans will enjoy a rare chance to hear classics from ‘My Generation’ to ‘Baba O’Riley’ on Thursday 27 March and Sunday 31 March. For the shows, they will welcome special guests Level 42, who formed as a jazz-funk band in 1979 and went on to have massive hits including ‘Lessons In Love’ and ‘Something About You’.
Micky Flanagan leads our legendary night of comedy on Tuesday 25 March. A self-described “working-class boy done good”, Micky has risen to be one of the biggest names in UK comedy. “For precision-tooled laughs he’s still (out) out there on his own,” wrote the Standard of his 2023 return show, If We Ever Needed It. A full line-up will be announced for the Teenage Cancer Trust comedy night. Expect the usual star-packed bill, following in the footsteps of 2024’s Kevin Bridges, Rob Beckett, Paul Chowdhry, Joe Lycett, Joanne McNally, Seann Walsh and John Bishop.
The Corrs won critical acclaim for their Talk On Corners arena tour in 2024 - The Guardian writing that “there’s a grungy angst to ‘I Never Loved You Anyway’ that would make Olivia Rodrigo jealous” and that the band’s biggest hit, ‘Breathless’, is “exhilarating, the audience dancing in the aisles”. The siblings - Andrea (lead vocals, piano, tin whistle), Sharon (violin, piano, vocals), Caroline (drums, piano, vocals), and Jim (guitar, keyboards, vocals) - have sold more than 40 million albums, producing sleek pop rock and lush harmonies, shaped by their Celtic folk background. The music is packed with “passion and grace and fire and desire” (Get To The Front), whether it is hit singles such as ‘Runaway’, ‘What Can I Do’ and ‘So Young’ or stunning reimaginings of classic tunes like ‘Dreams’ or ‘Little Wing’.
In the week that he launches his sixth studio album, PISCES, James Arthur will take to the Royal Albert Hall stage on Wednesday 26 March. His new album PISCES (out Friday 21 March) explores themes of vulnerability, mental health, and self-acceptance, continuing his exploration of these personal issues but with a fresh, more experimental sound. The album offers a stark contrast to his previous work, embracing a dreamier, more subdued style that complements his storytelling.
The album will feature ‘ADHD’ and the most recent single ‘Celebrate’, which offers an intimate, heart-rending exploration of James' journey from his difficult upbringing to a place of self-realization and growth. James Arthur has cemented himself as one of the biggest names in contemporary pop and soul. He has amassed over 38 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has had 11 Platinum singles in the UK for hits like ‘Impossible’, ‘Can I Be Him’, ‘Naked’, ‘Rewrite the Stars’, and ‘Lasting Lover’. His last album, Bitter Sweet Love, soared to the top of the charts, earning him his second #1 album since he won the X-Factor in 2012. His hit single 'Say You Won’t Let Go’ has gone on to achieve over 4 billion streams worldwide.
To mark the 25th anniversary of Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall, the British artist and Gorillaz co-creator, Jamie Hewlett - a long-time supporter of Teenage Cancer Trust - has re-designed his iconic Teenage Cancer Trust logo for 2025. Inspired by Teenage Cancer Trust’s theme ‘TEEN SPIRIT’, Hewlett’s original design for the Teenage Cancer Trust live shows has been reimagined as a brand new, full colour artwork which celebrates the many young people who are supported by the important work of Teenage Cancer Trust, as well as the joyful energy of youth and music.
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer.
Tickets on sale Friday 31st January from gigsandtours.com.
Royal Albert Hall Show Dates:
Monday, March 24: Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols plus special guests
Tuesday, March 25: A night of comedy hosted by Micky Flanagan
Wednesday, March 26: James Arthur plus special guests
Thursday, March 27: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Friday, March 28: The Corrs plus special guests
Saturday, March 29: GK Barry Live! With very special guests
Sunday, March 31: The Who plus special guests Level 42