NEWS
The renowned Teenage Cancer Trust concert series hit a powerful high point on Wednesday evening when Scottish post rock favourites Mogwai performed a set that covered key moments from across their career at the Royal Albert Hall. The night highlighted not only outstanding music but also the charity’s lasting impact, and included a special appearance on stage from two major figures in British music, founder Sir Roger Daltrey and this year’s curator Robert Smith.
The Cure singer is the first artist to take part in a new guest curator tradition, following Daltrey’s long run in the role. Earlier this year, Daltrey received a knighthood in recognition of his 26 years of dedication to the organisation. During a backstage moment, he handed Smith an award in recognition of his "absolutely fantastic" efforts in putting together the 2026 bill, which features Elbow, Manic Street Preachers, and My Bloody Valentine. "Bands give up an awful lot to do this," Daltrey said. "We’re so grateful."
Mogwai matched the importance of the venue with a memorable show, beginning with the gentle ‘Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home’ before building into what audience members called a "bass roar" unlike anything previously experienced in the Hall. Singer Stuart Braithwaite paused to show appreciation to the curator, saying, “We want to dedicate this song to Robert (Smith) for inviting us to play. Thanks so much,” before moving into a powerful performance of ‘Killing All The Flies.’
The group also made time to connect with young individuals helped by the charity. “It was really special, so we’ll dedicate this to them,” Braithwaite shared with the audience. The night closed with an encore performance of the expansive 16 minute track ‘Mogwai Fear Satan,’ sending the crowd home on a memorable note.
Fans who could not be there in person can still experience parts of the event online. Sets from Elbow and the Manic Street Preachers, which also marked the 150th concert in the series, are available through Player+, with proceeds going toward specialist nursing support for young people facing cancer.
As Robert Smith later said: “The money you help raise tonight will mean that Teenage Cancer Trust can be there for young people right from that first devastating moment of diagnosis.”
NEWS
Taylor Swift is encouraging rising artists to stay away from reading social media comments too closely.
During a conversation with The New York Times about songwriting, the “Shake It Off” singer explained that although criticism can sometimes become a “creative writing prompt,” constantly checking comments online can leave artists overwhelmed by negativity.
“My favourite thing when I sit down with new artists or songwriters, I'm like, ‘Why are you reading your comments?’ Like, that's too much of it,” she said. “You're inundating yourself with too much criticism that doesn't really have a focus. But a little bit of it, you've got to just be like, this is part of (the job). Like, don't make this make you stop writing or make you edit yourself or whatever.”
Swift, 36, also shared that she often tells other musicians to channel criticism into music instead of firing back at people online or posting long responses in the Notes app.
“If it's an interesting point to you to kind of respond to, then that's a gift for you to be able to write something. Maybe you wouldn't have written something that day,” she continued. “But don't go to the Notes app and post it, like write (a song) about it. Make art about this. Don't respond to trolls in your comments. That's not what we want from you. We want your art.”
The global superstar went on to say that criticism has inspired some of the biggest songs throughout her career. She pointed to her 2014 hit “Blank Space,” saying it likely would not have happened without people constantly focusing on her dating life and creating “slideshow” style narratives about her relationships.
Speaking about her 2022 track “Anti-Hero,” Swift added, “That song doesn't exist if I don't get criticised for every aspect of my personality that people have a problem with or whatever.”
