Next month The Royal Albert Hall will play host to a Festival Of Music with a sprinkling of comedy added to the entertainment, as UB40, Def Leppard and Kasabian are among the headliners at the week-long showcase. Throw in disco legends Chic (featuring Nile Rodgers), the iconic The Who frontman Roger Daltrey plus special guests, and there truly is something for every musical taste to enjoy.
Cancer charity benefits
In aid of Teenage Cancer Trust – the UK charity dedicated to providing treatment and support to young people with cancer – tickets for the extravaganza went on sale this week.
With around seven people aged between 13 and 24 being diagnosed with cancer every day in this country, the hope is that the series of gigs will bring the crowds in and help to boost the much-needed finances of the worthwhile charity.
Daltrey is a longstanding supporter and patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust cause and has organised a variety of events aimed at raising its profile and raising funds over the years. Perhaps his major contribution though has been as the driving force behind the annual concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, which have raised more than £25 million since the inaugural event in 1990.
Boogie along to Chic
His headlining date at this year’s festivities is booked in for March 22, the day after Chic will have encouraged their audience to boogie along to disco classics 'Le Freak' and 'Good Times'.
Mixing it with the musical talents on show during the week will be TV celebrity Russell Howard, who will front an evening of comedy to bring laughter to the celebrated venue.
On the charity’s website, Daltrey stated he was “incredibly proud of what we have already achieved’ and that he feels “inspired about what we will accomplish together,” as the annual London-based event “raises essential funds to support the charity's work.”
UB40 open the event
Opening proceedings on March 19 will be the evergreen reggae superstars and erstwhile chart-toppers UB40, featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey.
With a sumptuous back catalogue of hits at their disposal dating back to their launch in the late 70s, fans can surely look forward to such favourites as 'Red Red Wine', '(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You' and the dreamy 'Kingston Town'.
After indie band Courteeners and English rockers Kasabian have strutted their stuff on March 23 and 24, respectively, it will be the enviable task of Sheffield stars Def Leppard to bring the curtain down on this year’s hugely popular event.
