Erased Tapes founder talks taking experimental music to the Royal Albert Hall for Teenage Cancer Trust: “We are punk too”

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 Haths (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.