Two days after they opened the annual series of iconic shows, The Who played another incendiary Teenage Cancer Trust at The Royal Albert Hall last night.
5 star reviews of Monday’s gig gave the audience a taste of what to expect:
“With strings scything stage right and timpani crashing away on the balcony, we get the full impact of band and venue combined. It’s easily the best-sounding gig this reviewer has heard in decades, and bombastic almost to the point of tectonic fracture.” The Independent
“It was utterly magnificent. The sound was fantastic, filling the Royal Albert Hall with a glorious richness, doubling up the punchy drive of The Who’s earth-shaking rock with cinematic lushness.” Daily Telegraph
Again, support came from very special guests, new wave rock legends, Squeeze, celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. The band blasted through a watertight set, packed with their biggest hits; a reminder of their timeless songwriting.
“It’s a real privilege for us to open up for The Who at Teenage Cancer Trust. I’d like to thank everyone for turning up early in the evening” said Chris Difford before the band kicked into ‘Slap and Tickle’ which saw the crowd on their feet for a dance.
The band started on ‘Take Me I’m Yours’ with the classic ‘Up The Junction’ following soon after. 1995’s ‘Electric Trains’ got the hall moving before a delicate, stripped back rendition of ‘Tempted’ led into a crescendo of ‘Cool For Cats’.
The Who started these shows in 2000, reforming to support Teenage Cancer Trust and as Roger Daltrey steps down as curator this year, the band seem determined to leave special memories.
Changing up the setlist from Monday, they opened by running through some alternative highlights from Tommy - ‘1921’, ‘Acid Queen’ and ‘See Me, Feel Me’ all featuring as the orchestra added grandeur to Pete Townshend’s classic compositions.
They launched into the band only set, powering through ‘The Kids Are Alright’, ‘My Generation’ and a rendition of ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ which once more proved a highlight of the night and saw Daltrey shake the rafters with his iconic scream.
Then came another special moment - ‘The Punk And The Godfather' saw the return of the orchestra, joined by Pearl Jam frontman, long time The Who fan and “unconditional friend” of the band, Eddie Vedder.
Daltrey and Townshend looked right at home in London’s historic Royal Albert Hall. Pete expressed his gratitude for a “really good week here for Teenage Cancer Trust, all organised by Rog.” He paid tribute to support act Squeeze before thanking each member on stage with The Who individually.
The set built to a crescendo with a monumental orchestral moment. This was accompanied by a visual montage showing us cultural moments spanning the band’s history up to present day.
This was the third night of a momentous week, celebrating the work of its founder and curator, rock legend Roger Daltrey, as he bows out as the driving force of these very special concerts. Those not there last night may feel they missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience but, there’s still a chance to get in on the action - with ‘Ovation’ on Sunday 24 March. Sunday’s show will feature Roger’s friends and fans, many of those who helped establish these gigs as a celebrated annual event: Roger himself, with Kelly Jones, Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Eddie Vedder and Paul Weller.
The Who singer, who will continue as a Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron, has tirelessly fundraised and advocated for the charity for nearly a quarter of a century. A key part of this has been Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall, the now iconic, annual concert series taking place at one of the world’s most prestigious concert venues.
After The Who and Squeeze on Monday, the annual Night of Comedy took over on Tuesday - with hilarious host Kevin Bridges, plus sets from Rob Beckett, Paul Chowdhry, Joe Lycett, Joanne McNally, Seann Walsh and special guest John Bishop.
“The annual Teenage Cancer Trust fundraisers reach a turning point this week. The Who's Roger Daltrey, having stewarded them since 2000, is stepping down. But if last night's hugely entertaining comedy evening is any guide, this will be a punchy farewell party for the microphone-whirling frontman.” Evening Standard
The music continues for the rest of the week, courtesy of some of the biggest UK acts around. As well as ‘Ovation’ (Sunday 24 March), joining the line-up is critically acclaimed prolific songwriter Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds (Thursday 21 March), BRIT nominees Young Fathers (Friday 22 March), and multi-platinum selling, multi-award winning electronic duo Chemical Brothers (Saturday 23 March).
For 22 editions, Roger Daltrey has persuaded some of the greatest artists on the planet to perform unique, one night only gigs to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, generating over £32 million from ticket sales alone and spreading word of this extraordinary charity far and wide. That money is enough to pay for over a million hours of specialist care from Teenage Cancer Trust nurses, or 13 Teenage Cancer Trust hospital units. In 2000, when the gigs began, Teenage Cancer Trust was a much smaller organisation with only 5 hospital units across the whole of the UK and far fewer nurses and youth support workers.
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer. Since 2000, over £32 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.
Roger Daltrey CBE, Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron, and mastermind behind the gigs for 24 years, said:
“The generosity of the people who work in the music and comedy industries never ceases to amaze me. In this, our 21st year, after two years of artists having no shows at all, at a time where the only certain paydays are from live performances, artists are willing to give up their earnings from a London show. It shows us that miracles are everywhere, but if you cough or sneeze you'd miss them!”
Katie Collins, Chief Executive, Teenage Cancer Trust, said:
“These amazing gigs and their fantastic lineups help us change lives. Because of Roger, the artists, the teams who make these gigs possible and everyone who buys a ticket, we can make sure young people don’t face cancer alone and continue to provide the vital, expert care and support that is crucial for young people with cancer.”
2024 Show Dates:
Mon 18 March - The Who with Orchestra, with special guests Squeeze
Tue 19 March - A Night Of Comedy - Kevin Bridges (host), Rob Beckett, Paul Chowdhry, Joe Lycett, Joanne McNally, Seann Walsh
Weds 20 March - The Who with Orchestra, with special guests Squeeze
Thurs 21 March - Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, with special guests Blossoms
Fri 22 March - Young Fathers plus special guests
Sat 23 March - The Chemical Brothers
Sun 24 March - ‘Ovation’ - A Celebration of 24 Years of Gigs For Teenage Cancer Trust with: Roger Daltrey, Kelly Jones, Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller
Tickets:
Remaining tickets on sale now. For line-up and ticketing information please visit: www.teenagecancertrust.org/gigs
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