The founder of Erased Tapes has told NME about bringing experimental music to the Royal Albert Hall for the 2025 edition of the Teenager Cancer Trust gigs.
The iconic independent music label is set to take over the prestigious venue this weekend (Saturday March 29) as part of this year’s run of the Teenager Cancer Trust live shows.
It follows on from an already packed run of gigs across this week – including performances from Sex Pistols and Frank Carter, James Arthur, The Who and The Corrs – and sees profits made from the dates donated to the charity.
As previously confirmed, the Saturday edition has been curated by the founder of the East London label, Robert Raths (aka Ghostworker), and includes appearances from Penguin Cafe, Daniel Brandt, Douglas Dare and Hatis Noit.
Speaking to NME, Raths explained why these experimental yet very different artists were selected.
“We’re punk too,” he said. “I of course love the Sex Pistols and The Who – who doesn’t? – but it’s important to nurture the next generation of players and let them have a chance to offer their music in front of a beautiful new audience.”
Raths went on to explain why each individual act stood out to him. Of Penguin Cafe – which was formed in 2009 by Arthur Jeffes in continuation of his father Simon’s work with Penguin Cafe Orchestra – he said: “It is so beautiful because he has this absolute, deep respect and understanding for what Simon set out to do.
“It’s this music that you just hear in cafes, at certain parties, in documentary movies and art house movies, in some adverts, even. It creeps its way into your conscious and when you buy one of the records, you realise: ‘Oh, I know half this music already’.”
Of Douglas Dare, he referred to his club-inspired fourth album ‘Omni’, saying: “He has a fond love of club music and I encouraged him to leave the piano for a moment and just embrace that part in him. He’s just done that tour and, I think, the Royal Albert Hall will actually be him rekindling his love of the piano.”
Speaking about Japanese singer Hatis Noit, Raths described her as creating “otherworldly, deeply therapeutic songs” and said he is “always incredibly touched by every single performance” of hers.
“I’m especially moved by the sheer number of female audience members who come up to her after the show and express how there’s something she taps into, something really primal,” he added. “She is also a young mother and this will be her first public concert after giving birth. We can expect something very spectacular.”
Finally, he described Daniel Brandt as an artist who is capable of “creat[ing] a sound world that expresses the kind of imminent issues that we’re facing – climate change, pollution, politics”.
“It is as epic in scale as The Matrix but it has a very current feel, like something Charlie Brooker would do with Black Mirror. His music has always been very rhythmic, because he’s a drummer and composer. It’s very electrifying and physical,” Raths continued. “On stage, he will team up with a second drummer, along with a guitarist and a trombone player, creating this wall of sound, questioning reality, both visually and sonically.”
Visit here to find out more about the Teenager Cancer Trust, and here for any remaining tickets for the 2025 shows.
The 2025 instalment kicked off on Monday (March 24) with an opening set from Frank Carter, Paul Cook, Steve Jones and Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, plus special guests The Molotovs and Kid Kapichi.
It continued on Tuesday (25) with a night of comedy starring Micky Flanagan, Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan and more, before a show from James Arthur last night (26). It will return to the Royal Albert Hall tonight (27) for a show from The Who, tomorrow with a show from The Corrs, and wrap up on Sunday (30) with one more gig from Roger Daltrey and co.
The remaining Teenage Cancer Trust 2025 shows are:
MARCH
27 – The Who plus special guests Level 42
28 – The Corrs plus special guests Dea Matrona
29 – Erased Tapes featuring Penguin Cafe, Daniel Brandt, Douglas Dare and Hatis Noit
30 – The Who plus special guests Level 42
NME was in attendance for Monday’s show, and recalled how Frank Carter and co delivered an explosive performance that included renditions of ‘Bodies’, ‘Liar’, ‘God Save The Queen’ and a cover of Iggy And The Stooges’ classic ‘No Fun’.
It was also recently announced that next year’s TCT gig series will be curated by The Cure’s Robert Smith. The decision was made following the series founder and The Who icon Roger Daltrey stepping back.
It was last year that the musician confirmed that he would be ending his time as the curator for the Teenager Cancer Trust concert, after running the series for 24 years. He will remain as the charity’s patron.