London’s Royal Albert Hall was alive with anticipation on March 27, 2026, as Chvrches took the stage for the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concerts, marking their first performance together in almost three years. The event, curated this year by The Cure’s legendary frontman Robert Smith—who stepped in for long-time organizer Roger Daltrey—brought together a stellar lineup featuring Garbage, Wolf Alice, Manic Street Preachers, Elbow, My Bloody Valentine, and of course, Chvrches themselves. But the night’s biggest surprise was the live debut of Chvrches’ brand-new track, “Conman,” offering a first glimpse into the band’s evolving sound and their forthcoming fifth album.
Before launching into “Conman,” lead singer Lauren Mayberry addressed the packed hall with a mixture of nerves and excitement. “I promise I’m not just inside watching telly all the time, we have been making a record. And we thought, since this is a special night, we would play something off that record for you guys. So be kind to us, we’ve never played this in front of human beings before,” Mayberry told the crowd, as reported by NME. The moment felt as intimate as it was momentous, with the audience serving as the first to hear the new material that the band has been quietly crafting.
The new song itself is a departure from the synth-pop sound Chvrches is known for. “Conman” opens with a pulsing, industrial bass line, soon joined by grating guitar riffs and Mayberry’s urgent, stirring vocals. The lyrics—“A man made for the microphone fills my pockets full of stones/All of his wives, all of his nine lives dance on the edge of a knife”—signal a heavier, post-punk direction for the band. According to NME, the track’s energy and rawness hint at a bolder, more experimental era for Chvrches, one that still retains the group’s core DNA but isn’t afraid to surprise listeners.
This special night at Royal Albert Hall wasn’t just about new beginnings; it was also a celebration of collaboration and continuity. Chvrches and Robert Smith share a history of creative partnership. In 2021, Smith guested on the band’s track “How Not To Drown,” a collaboration that Mayberry described as “mental.” The partnership continued into 2022, when they performed together at the NME Awards, delivering renditions of “How Not To Drown” and The Cure’s classic “Just Like Heaven,” and even walking away with the award for Best Song By A UK Artist. Their chemistry, both in the studio and on stage, has become a highlight for fans of both acts.
Chvrches’ set at the benefit concert was packed with fresh energy. Alongside “Conman,” the band gave live debuts to “Lullabies” and “Nightmares,” both tracks from their 2021 album Screen Violence. The performance marked a triumphant return for the group, who have spent the past few years pursuing individual projects. Mayberry, for instance, toured solo and released her debut album Vicious Creature, while Martin Doherty and Jonny Scott launched their own side project, The Leaving. Their debut album, Ultimate Buzz, is set to drop next month, adding another creative outlet to the band members’ growing repertoire.
The run-up to this concert series has been filled with hints and teases about Chvrches’ next chapter. Last summer, the band revealed they had started work on a new album, and earlier this month, Doherty and Scott shared more details with NME. “It’s going to surprise people, and I hope it’s going to delight them and rip some faces off,” Doherty said, adding that the album was about 90 percent complete. “It’s quite hard, but not to the point where you won’t recognise the band. It’s still the same people and DNA.” The anticipation among fans is palpable, with the promise of an album that both honors the group’s roots and pushes their sound into uncharted territory.
Chvrches have also kept busy with high-profile covers. Earlier in 2026, they released their takes on Robert Palmer’s “Addicted To Love” and The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” for the Hulu series Tell Me Lies. Both tracks were recorded during the sessions for their forthcoming fifth album, giving fans a taste of what’s to come while showcasing the band’s versatility and reverence for pop classics.
Meanwhile, the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series itself has become one of the UK’s most important annual music events, raising funds and awareness for young people battling cancer. Robert Smith’s turn as “Cureator” (as he playfully dubbed himself) was met with widespread acclaim. “Teenage Cancer Trust does absolutely amazing work, and I am very proud they asked me to be ‘Cureator’ of their March 2026 concerts at the RAH. I wanted to make it a truly unforgettable, unmissable week – a run of shows to dream about – and I am so grateful to all the artists who accepted my invitation to perform,” Smith said in his announcement, as cited by NME. “These will be very special events; every band, both headliners and special guests, and every comedian too, is either legendary or at the top of their game… indeed in most cases, they are both!”
The week-long series has lived up to Smith’s vision, with each night featuring a different musical highlight. Garbage and Placebo followed Chvrches’ performance, taking the stage on March 28, while Wolf Alice headlined on March 29. Earlier in the week, Manic Street Preachers delivered a set packed with rarities and covers of The Cure, The The, and Echo & The Bunnymen, and Elbow opened the series with a career-spanning performance that set the tone for the days to come. The diversity and quality of the lineup reflect Smith’s commitment to making this year’s concerts “fabulous seven nights,” as he put it.
For Chvrches, the Royal Albert Hall show was more than a comeback; it was a statement of intent. The debut of “Conman” and the unveiling of new material signal a band that’s eager to evolve, even as it draws on the strength of past collaborations and a loyal fan base. With their fifth album on the horizon and side projects flourishing, Chvrches’ future looks as bright—and as unpredictable—as ever.
As the Teenage Cancer Trust concerts continue to inspire and entertain, Chvrches’ electrifying return stands out as a highlight, reminding everyone of the power of music to unite, surprise, and heal. The band’s willingness to take risks and embrace change ensures that their next chapter will be watched—and heard—with keen interest.