Shirley Manson, frontwoman of Garbage, has been announced as the guest curator for the 2027 Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) concert series at the Royal Albert Hall. The week-long event will take place from 15 to 21 March 2027, with the line-up expected to be revealed later this year.
Manson takes over from Robert Smith of The Cure, who curated the 2026 edition, and follows Sir Roger Daltrey, who stepped down in 2024 after two decades in the role. Smith praised Manson, saying: 'I am very sure Shirley, with her great energy, commitment and values, will do a fantastic job in 2027.' Daltrey added: 'To have a female musician with a great reputation for quality work is something that’s been at the top of my wishlist.'
Describing the honour as 'one of the greatest that has ever been bestowed upon me,' Manson said she hopes to curate 'a fine week of entertainment' and called for support for teenagers with cancer, a cause she holds dear after a friend's daughter died from the disease. 'I consider it an immense privilege to continue helping raise funds and awareness for our all too often forgotten teenagers in the UK who are living with cancer,' she said.
To mark the announcement, an official video of Garbage's cover of The Cure's 'Lovesong' has been released. The band performed the cover at this year's TCT gigs after being personally invited by Smith, who described their set as 'one of the highlights' of the week.
Manson has a personal connection to the cause, having witnessed the impact of teenage cancer on families. 'It’s very, very difficult. Teenagers seem to fall between the cracks of cancer care all over the world,' she said. Garbage's appearance at the 2026 TCT event also saw Placebo reunite for their first gig in two years.
