What's the best thing about being a teenager?
Noel Gallagher, Kelly Jones, Kasabian, Florence Welch, JLS and Jameela Jamil tell us what their best thing about being a teenager was...
In the clip below, celebrities such as Noel Gallagher, JLS and Jameela Jamil tell us what their best thing about being a teenager was...
My soundtrack
Roger Daltrey talks about the role music plays in our lives
"When you’re young, life is all about mates and music and experiencing loads of what life has to offer for the first time. But for six young people a day, life drastically changes when they are told they have cancer.
This is why Teenage Cancer Trust exists, to make sure that the lives of these young people don’t become defined or limited in any way by their cancer. Everything Teenage Cancer Trust does is about giving young people with cancer the best possible quality of life and chances of survival.
The whole music industry is founded on the backs of teenagers, and without them, many of the top artists wouldn’t have any fans at all. But the link between youth and music goes beyond this, they are inextricably linked.
We all have our own personal soundtrack to our lives and music helps make us who we are. It’s a big part of discovering the new and it acts as a release from whatever frustrations you’re facing. The right track can spark memories of good times, bad times and wild times because it was there to make us dance, give us comfort or take us away from our daily reality in some way.
When I meet young people with cancer, I find it’s exactly the same for them. Whether playing a guitar, listening to the jukebox with mates on the unit or headphones plugged into their favourite playlist, music brings them together and helps them express themselves."
Check out soundtracks from Jessie J, Andy from Beady Eye, Biffy Clyro, Squeeze, Tinie Tempah, The Feeling and Absolute Radio presenters Christian O’Connell, Dave Gorman Iain Lee and Geoff Lloyd.
A decade of shows
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2011
Artists included Squeeze, Biffy Clyro, Editors, Roger Daltrey, Beady Eye, Tinie Tempah, Jessie J, and comedians John Bishop, Kevin Bridges, James Corden and more...
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2010
In 2010 Teenage Cancer Trust celebrated 10 years of shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
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2000
Our first ever show kicked off in November 2000 with a legendary ‘The Who and Friends’. The Who were joined on stage by the likes of Noel Gallagher, Bryan Adams, Paul Weller, Eddie Vedder, Nigel…
> More about 2000 -
2002
Marti Pellow, Oasis, The Who, The Paul Weller Band including Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, Robert Pant and The Strange Sensation.
> More about 2002 -
2003
Coldplay, Eric Clapton, Richard Ashcroft, Doves, Supergrass and Ash, Madness and Aswad
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2004
The Who, Stereophonics, Alan Partridge, Jools Holland with Ronnie Wood, Shane McGowan, Solomon Burke, David Gilmour, Marc Almond, Jeff Beck and Tom Jones.
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2005
Robert Plant, Franz Ferdinand, Peter Kay, Keane, UB40, Roger Daltrey and Eric Clapton.
> More about 2005 -
2006
Ricky Gervais, Stewart Lee, Sean Lock, Lee Mack, Alan Carr and Russell Brand. Goldfrapp, Bloc Party, Razorlight, Judas Priest, The Cure.
> More about 2006 -
2007
Noel Gallagher, Russell Brand and Noel Fielding, Kasabian, The Who, The Coral.
> More about 2007 -
2008
Madness, Noel Fielding, Paul Weller with Steve Craddock, Duffy and Liam Gerner, The Fratellis, Muse, The Futureheads.
> More about 2008 -
2009
Antony and The Johnsons, Florence and The Machine, V V Brown, Fairport Convention, Seth Lakeman, Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy, Stereophonics, The Noisettes, Karima Francis, Kasabian, Jersey Budd,…
> More about 2009
Raising funds
Each show helps raise money so that Teenage Cancer Trust can provide the best possible care and professional support for young people with cancer.
The aim of the shows is to raise funds for desperately needed specialist teenage cancer facilities. Teenage Cancer Trust units, which are all built in NHS hospitals, combine an expert team and the best possible therapy with the best possible environment for teenagers and young adults. And by focusing on quality of life, they can change a teenager’s outlook and give them a better chance of survival.
Royal Albert Hall sponsors
We're on the hunt for sponsorship to help fund our multi-million pound fundraiser, Concerts for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall in 2012.
The concerts are our single biggest fundraising event of the year, with the 10th anniversary shows in 2010 raising a record £1.7million to help support young people with cancer.
Roger Daltrey CBE
"Every year Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall raises essential funds to support the charity's work. I am incredibly proud of what we have already achieved and am inspired about what we will accomplish together.
Within these memories of unique collaborations and musical firsts are the faces of the incredible young people I have met. Over the years I have met many young people with cancer and like Teenage Cancer Trust, I believe that they shouldn’t have to stop being teenagers just because they have this disease.
They have helped me understand that they are young people first – cancer patients second and I am always struck by their enthusiasm, positivism and their lust for life."
Other music events
Whether its a summer festival, heavy metal gig, live acoustic set or an artist showing their support for the charity, find out what we're doing in the world of music.
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Noel Fielding, Teenage Cancer Trust ambassador
"Teenage Cancer Trust is such an important charity, the work they have done is mind blowing. You get asked to do a lot of charity work when you’re in comedy or on the telly but this one means a lot to me. It’s great to do the gig and make an impact in some way. I always like to come and get involved a bit and meet young people. It makes the whole thing like a proper experience rather than just doing the gig. I like hanging out with teenagers anyway. Not in a weird way. That’s about my mental level.
It’s beautiful, it’s amazing. I’m just pleased they keep asking me back. 2010 was my 6th time, so I feel like a veteran. I feel like they come and get me out of my box and say ‘come and do one more’ and I’m like ‘really?’ I’m honoured they keep asking me to be involved. The whole thing is like a shimmering ball of magic.
Me and Rog, yeah he emails me. He texts me. I just hang out in his garden till he asks me to do it. You can’t say no. He’s in The Who, you have to do it."
NME's Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution to Music Award
In recognition of Teenage Cancer Trust’s link with the British Music Industry and work with young people with cancer.
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Donate while you download
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Tell your story…
If you're a current or ex-patient and diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 13 to 24 you may like to share you story.
By telling us your story you can help other young people understand what it’s like to have cancer and help others understand why the work of Teenage Cancer Trust is so important.
