The line-up has been revealed
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 3 hours ago
Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter and The Who are among the live acts confirmed for this year’s Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall concert series.
Taking place from Monday 24th March to Sunday 31st March 2025, the annual week-long concert series at the world-famous London venue raises vital funds for Teenage Cancer Trust.
The Who’s Roger Daltrey founded the fundraising concert series 25 years ago, and although he stepped down as ambassador last year, the octogenarian rock legend remains a proud Honorary Patron of the charity.
This year, The Who will headline two nights at Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 27th March and the closing night on Sunday 31st March, and they’ll be joined by Level 42 at both dates.
Sex Pistols’ Paul Cook, Steve Jones and Glen Matlock, and ex-Gallows/present Rattlesnakes frontman Frank Carter will have the prestigious honour of kicking off this year’s TCT shows on the Monday night.
They will tear through Sex Pistols’ seminal and infamous 1977 debut album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’ in the plush surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall. The band will be joined by special guests Kid Kapichi and The Molotovs.
Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones says: “After an incredible 2024, we are itching to get going again this year and what better way than on home territory at a venue that wouldn’t have let us near it back in the day! Albert will be turning in his tomb. It’s an honour to help this great charity.”
Micky Flanagan will lead the comedy night on Tuesday 25th March, with more stand-ups to be announced in the coming weeks.
The funnyman says: “This is an incredibly important charity, a huge thank you to everyone involved, so let’s all go Out … to help Teenage Cancer Trust!”
Also confirmed for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall today are The Corrs, James Arthur, and the concert series’ new ambassador TikTok star GK Barry.
Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall tickets:
Tickets to Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2025 go on sale from Absolute Radio Tickets at 9am on Friday 31st January 2025.
Buy Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall tickets
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.
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.”
Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall 2025 line-up:
Monday 24th March: Frank Carter and Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock of the Sex
Pistols plus special guests Kid Kapichi and The Molotovs
Tuesday 25th March: A night of comedy hosted by Micky Flanagan
Wednesday 26th March: James Arthur plus special guests
Thursday 27th March: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Friday 28th March: The Corrs plus special guests
Saturday 29th March: GK Barry Live! With very special guests
Sunday 31st March: The Who plus special guests Level 42
Buy TCT at The Royal Albert Hall tickets
15 album cover parodies:
Gorillaz – ‘Demon Days’ (2005)
The work of Gorillaz illustrator Jamie Hewlett, the virtual band’s second album is adorned with side profiles of Stuart “2-D” Pot, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs.
The Beatles – ‘Let It Be’ (1970)
The black background and four white squares featuring the band members on ‘Demon Days’ is, of course, a direct parody of The Beatles’ final studio album ‘Let It Be.’
The Clash – ‘London Calling’ (1979)
The seminal cover to The Clash’s masterpiece ‘London Calling’ features a black-and-white image of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass at the Palladium in New York City. It was created by designer Ray Lowry.
Elvis Presley – ‘Elvis Presley’ (1956)
With its pink and green lettering and black-and-white photo, ‘London Calling’ pays direct homage to Elvis Presley’s self-titled debut album from 23 years earlier.
Coldplay – ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ (2015)
The kaleidoscopic artwork for Coldplay’s seventh album was created by Argentine artist Pilar Zeta in collaboration with the band.
Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Sempiternal’ (2013)
BMTH frontman Oli Sykes took to Twitter upon seeing the ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ accusing Coldplay of mimicking ‘Sempiternal’ from two years earlier. Sykes later toned down his stance, saying both bands used the universal “flower of life” symbol, which he doesn’t own any rights to.
Britney Spears – ‘… Baby One More Time’ (1999)
The international edition of Britney Spears’ debut album ‘… Baby One More Time’ depicts the pop singer looking into the camera with her hands pensively placed to her face.
Björk – ‘Debut’ (1993)
‘… Baby One More Time’ may not be a direct copy of Björk’s first album, but the pose is strikingly similar.
Iron Maiden – ‘Powerslave’ (1984)
The heavy metal legends’ long-term artist Derek Riggs designed the Ancient Egyptian themed cover to their fifth album ‘Powerslave.’
Earth, Wind & Fire – ‘All n’ All’ (1977)
Visually, Iron Maiden’s ‘Powerslave’ is extremely similar to Earth, Wind & Fire’s album ‘All n’ All’ from seven years earlier. Maiden artist Derek Riggs has dismissed the idea he copied the funk icons, saying: “Somebody somewhere said it was inspired by an Earth Wind & Fire cover, but that’s just crap. Because of the song Bruce wrote it had to be Egyptian, so I went back to the tomb of Rameses 2 and copied the idea from that (just like Earth, Wind & Fire did) but mine is better. It’s also got a hieroglyph Micky mouse in the bottom left corner. Ha! Earth Wind and Fire don’t have a Mickey Mouse. Obviously inferior.”
Mötley Crüe – ‘Too Fast for Love’ (1981)
The artwork to Mötley Crüe’s debut album features a close-up of a rock star’s crotch area.
The Rolling Stones – ‘Sticky Fingers’ (1971)
Mötley Crüe’s ‘Too Fast for Love’ is, of course, a direct tribute to The Rolling Stones’ infamous ‘Sticky Fingers artwork from a decade earlier. Created by legendary artist Andy Warhol, the visible outline of the model’s manhood caused quite a stir upon the album’s release 49 years ago.
Flying Lotus – ‘Los Angeles’ (2008)
American electronic musician Flying Lotus’ second album ‘Los Angeles’ came with abstract art created by Timothy Saccenti.
Massive Attack – ‘Mezzanine’ (1998)
‘Los Angeles’ is clearly a direct nod to the cover of Massive Attack’s brooding opus ‘Mezzanine’, which is adorned with a male stag beetle.
Blur – ‘Parklife’ (1994)
The iconic sleeve to Blur’s breakthrough album ‘Parklife’ features a photograph of that great British pastime, greyhound racing. The artwork is so famous it was issued as a stamp by Royal Mail in 2010.
Dub Sex – ‘Then & Now’ (1987)
Echoing ‘Parklife’, Manchester indie band Dub Sex also featured greyhound racing on the cover to their 1987 single ‘Then & Now.’
Deep Purple – ‘Deep Purple’ (1969)
The dark and macabre cover artwork to 1969’s self-titled ‘Deep Purple’ is adorned with the right-hand painting from Hieronymus Bosch’s 15th Century triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights, which depicts hell.
Pearls Before Swine – ‘One Nation Underground’ (1967)
Deep Purple weren’t the first band to use The Garden of Earthly Delights on their album sleeve – Floridian psychedelic folk act Pearls Before Swine had a detail from it on their 1967 debut album ‘One Nation Underground’.
Manowar – ‘Fighting the World’ (1987)
Manowar enlisted fantasy artist Ken Kelly to create the ‘Fighting the World’ sleeve.
Kiss – ‘Destroyer’ (1976)
The ‘Destroyer’ cover art was also designed by Ken Kelly and features Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss standing atop some rubble with a destroyed buildings in the background.
Tom Waits – ‘The Heart of Saturday Night’ (1974)
Gravelly voiced singer Tom Waits’ second album features an illustration of a tired Waits being observed by a blonde prostitute as he exits a neon-lit cocktail lounge late at night.
Frank Sinatra – ‘In the Wee Small Hours’ (1955)
Tom Waits’ ‘The Heart of Saturday Night’ is based on ‘In the Wee Small Hours’ by Frank Sinatra, which depicts the singer on an eerie and deserted street awash in blue-tinged streetlights. Tom Waits listed ‘In the Wee Small Hours’ as his favourite album of all time in a 2005 interview with The Guardian.
Led Zeppelin – ‘Physical Graffiti’ (1975)
Led Zeppelin’s iconic ‘Physical Graffiti’ depicts two side-by-side tenement buildings located at 96 and 98 St. Mark’s Place in New York’s East Village. JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, astronaut Neil Armstrong, Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, King Kong, the Virgin Mary, Judy Garland and Led Zeppelin themselves are among the faces peering out of the windows.
Jose Feliciano – ‘Compartments’ (1973)
The concept for Led Zeppelin’s ‘Physical Grafitti’ cover was allegedly inspired by the sleeve on Puerto Rican guitarist Jose Feliciano’s 1973 album ‘Compartments’, which features different paces peering out of windows.
David Byrne – ‘Grown Backwards’ (2004)
The Talking Heads frontman’s sixth solo album features a photograph of Byrne gazing into the yonder.
Phil Collins – ‘… But Seriously’ (1989)
Genesis drummer/vocalist Phil Collins also gazed pensively into the yonder on his fourth solo album.
Eminem – ‘Kamikaze’ (2018)
Surprise released in the summer of 2018, ‘Kamikaze’ is adorned with an image of fighter pilot LT. Mathers III crashing an F-86 Sabre fighter jet into something.
Beatie Boys – ‘Licence To Ill’ (1986)
The Eminem ‘Kamikaze’ cover is a direct homage to The Beastie Boys’ 1986 album ‘Licence To Ill.’ Eminem has cited Beastie Boys as a big inspiration in numerous interviews, however Ad-Rock and Mike D said they weren’t consulted about the Eminem cover before it was released.
Sleater Kinney – ‘Dig Me Out’ (1997)
The ‘Dig Me Out’ cover features Janet Weiss, Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker from Sleater Kinney and a guitar.
The Kinks – ‘The Kink Kontroversy’ (1965)
The ‘Dig Me Out’ album cover is an homage to The Kinks’ third studio album The Kink Kontroversy from 32 years earlier.
Metallica – ‘Metallica’ (‘The Black Album’) (1991)
Metallica’s self-titled fifth studio album, commonly known as ‘The Black Album’, features the band’s logo and a coiled snake. Initially, these were embossed so they could barely be seen against the black background – later, both emblems appeared in dark grey so to be slightly more prominent.
Status Quo – ‘Hello!’ (1973)
Status Quo’s sixth studio album ‘Hello!’ was released in 1973, featuring a black-on-black design that is widely thought to have influenced Metallica’s 1991 album. Metallica also joked that it was based on Spinal Tap’s ‘Smell the Glove’, which is famously ‘none more black’ (an entirely black cover).
Listen to Absolute Radio across the UK on your digital radio, the free Rayo app, by hitting that play button on the bottom of your screen or by asking your smart speaker to “play Absolute Radio”.
Source link