MUSIC
At A Glance MAY JUNE
2016
BOOKING INFORMATION TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE EMPIRE BAR ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLETS TELEPHONE 24 HR CREDIT CARD BOOKING LINE 0844 277 4455 ONLINE WWW.TICKETMASTER.IE
SHOULD YOU OR ANY MEMBER OF YOUR PARTY REQUIRE ANY SPECIAL ASSISTANCE, OUR STAFF WILL BE DELIGHTED TO HELP. WE RECOMMEND THAT WHEN POSSIBLE, YOU NOTIFY THE BELFAST EMPIRE PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT. PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME PERFORMANCES MAY USE SPECIAL EFFECTS, SUCH AS STROBE LIGHTING AND SMOKE EFFECTS.
THEBELFASTEMPIRE.COM @BELFASTEMPIRE FACEBOOK.COM/BELFASTEMPIRE
ALL PATRONS MUST BE AGED 18 OR OVER.
What’s that outside?
The glowing orb with waves of heat coming from it? It’s the sun, of course! And while we’re a bit biased, Botanic is just the spot to see Belfast at its best in the good weather.
We’ve all the Euros matches on the big screen, and nearly all the home nations represented (sorry Scotland!) a month of high end soccer is definitely on the cards! Speaking of soccer, we’re pleased to host the Lunch with Legends crew, who’ll be bringing over some of the greats from Liverpool’s glory days (when they actually won trophies). Don’t worry, if it can happen for Leicester it can happen for anyone! We’ve the usual Comedy Club, which again will be running through summer and, as always we continue to support local talent through the good old Gifted nights as well as featuring album launches from the likes of The Bonnevilles and Making Monsters. Touring acts The Mighty Stef and Chris Woods will be making the Music Hall their home, and we’ve a rare visit from hardcore legends Norma Jean. We’ll be taking our Hats Off to Led Zeppelin with the UK’s greatest tribute to the greatest band of the 70s and reliving the first Summer of Love courtesy of the Roadhouse Doors.
Kittyxx
Phew! I’m thirsty. Make mine a Gin!
As always, I remain yours truly,
Entertainment Every Night
Thursday 10.30pm Empire Blues with
Sunday 10pm
rab mccullough & band Admission FREE
ken haddock’s supper club
Friday 5.30pm
Monday 10pm
Friday 10.30pm
Admission FREE
JACKIE RAINEY Admission FREE
the big empire quiz
roots 100% fresh
Tuesday 11pm
Saturday 10.30pm
Entry £1
DISCOBEARD
Admission FREE
Wednesday 10pm
acoustic showcase ni
Society sessions singer songwriters
Admission FREE
see page 4 for details
Admission FREE
saturday live
local rock & soul covers 7 MAY BLACK MARKET ICONS 14 MAY & 21 MAY AFTERSHOCK 28 MAY & 4 JUN
ARMS OF VENUS DE MILO
11 JUN BLACK MARKET & 18 JUN ICONS 25 JUN
STRICTLY NO BALLROOM
Admission FREE
LIVE SPORT ON THE BIG SCREEN LATE BAR EVERY NIGHT / FOOD SERVED MON-SAT
original artists playing their own music & more! 6 MAY NI SOUL TROOP 3 JUN THE VIBES 13 MAY ODDSOCKS REVIVAL 10 JUN TBC 20 MAY THE HARD CHARGERS 17 JUN FAT LIP BAND 27 MAY RACKHOUSE PILFER 24 JUN DISCOBEARD
10.30PM // free admission
It’s a rare opportunity to meet some of the legends that propelled Liverpool FC to the heights of domestic and European glory in the early 80’s. With tales from the pitch and beyond, we’re proud to present PHIL NEAL, TERRY MCDERMOTT, DAVID FAIRCLOUGH, DAVID JOHNSON and ALAN KENNEDY. Harking back to the glory days of football, long before the lure of Satellite TV and hair care endorsements, LUNCH WITH LEGENDS has you rubbing shoulders with the bonafide superstars of the era. A limited amount of pre-show VIP meet and greet tickets are available – but selling fast!
Date: Sun 1 May
Doors 7.30pm / £25 / £35 (VIP)
MAKING MONSTERS are making waves – with the Derry four piece remorselessly touring the UK and Ireland and picking up the patronage of everyone’s favourite craic enhancer Jägermeister en route, joining alumni like Orange Goblin and Turbowolf. Fun for fans of everyone from Muse to Nightwish, the Distillers to the alternative melodic metal outfit will be releasing their new EP through all the major digital retailers. Support comes from DEATH OF A SALESMAN, HEELS OF ACHILLES and BLACK CHAPEL.
Date: Mon 2 May
Doors 8.30pm / £6
THUR 5 MAY
New Ancestors TUSKANY Chrisy Mc Cullagh Hannaway
NEW ANCESTORS hail from Northern Ireland, but have found their spiritual home in the wide open skies and haunted highways of the United States of America. Taking Switchfoot, the Kings of Leon and the Rocket Summer as their touchstones, their honest, punchy folk rock has seen them gain support from Radio 1 and support slots with the likes of the Staves, Rae Morris and Bear’s Den. Support comes from TUSKANY, CHRISY MCCULLAGH and MICHAEL HANNAWAY.
THUR 2 JUN
THE LATE TWOS GOLDIE FAWN in an INSTANT SALFORD LADS CLUB
THE LATE TWOS are a Belfast based 5 piece, good time, indie rock and roll band. Inspired by the wave of volatile and fun loving acts that burst onto the scene. Following the rise and fall of the Libertines, THE LATE TWOS are doing their utmost to keep the home fires burning in the hearth of guitar rock. Earning their live stripes across the island, and on an impromptu tour of London’s legendary indie dives and Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club. Support comes from Katie Richardson’s new project GOLDIE FAWN, Bangor’s IN AN INSTANT and new blood in the form of SALFORD LADS CLUB.
Date: Thurs 5 May Date: Thurs 2 Jun
Doors 9.00pm / £3 Doors 9.00pm / £3
LEKMK PROMOTIONS
Take a trip down memory lane, with one of the 90’s most idiosyncratic outfits, Liverpool’s missing link between the La’s and the Coral. Tommy Scott’s eye for a story and ear for a tune saw them bother the charts an impressive 10 times in the late nineties, with over 2 million albums sold. Revisit the heady post-Britpop days with such hits as Avenging Angels, Neighbourhood and the ballad of Tom Jones as SPACE tour in support of their first ever retrospective boxed set. Support comes from famed Dublin outfit LATE CITY EDITION.
Date: Fri 6 May
Doors 7.30pm / £15
THESE
CHARMING MEN A TRIBUTE TO THE SMITHS & MORRISSEY
Come on, admit that you secretly wanted those Smiths reunion rumours to be true. But in the absence of any water passing under the bridge, Dublin’s THESE CHARMING MEN fill a Marr/ Morrissey/Rourke/Joyce shaped hole admirably. Veterans of the international Smiths and Morrissey convention,
Date: Sat 7 May
and a memorable show in lieu of their idol at Japan’s famous Fuji Rocks festival have cemented their reputation as the ultimate tribute to the Pope of Mope and his merry men. From How Soon is Now, to First of the Gang, it’s a tiny slice of Manchester setting up shop in the Empire Music Hall.
Doors 8.30pm / £10
Mere cult glory just won’t cut it for THE MIGHTY STEF, though it’s served them very well in the past, netting them well-received tours of Europe and the States. World domination is on the cards for the Dublin four piece, following the release of 2015’s Year of the Horse. Eschewing the vogue for faux folk or electro bleepiness, THE MIGHTY STEF inhabit a world where pre-Joshua Tree U2 vie for pole position with classic Velvet Underground and early Arcade Fire. Songs of redemption, joy and dark humour mark one of the most vital talents to emerge from this isnad in many a year.
Date: Thu 12 May
Doors 8.30pm / £10
THE BONNEVILLES are a Belfast based two piece who are single handedly keeping the dream of dirty rock and roll alive. With the drums of Sabbath and the Blues of Howlin’ Wolf, it’s hard to deny that THE BONNEVILLES are at the forefront of the European alternative blues scene. With their new album about to drop
Date: Sat 14 May
(released on the legendary Alive Natural Sound label, home to the Soledad Brothers and Left Lane Cruiser) there’s never been a better time to reacquaint yourself with the devil’s music. Support comes from the CROSSFIRE HURRICANES, LOS BLOODY RACKETS and WALTDORF AND CANNON.
Doors 8.30pm / £8
Glance AT A
Every Tuesday
COMEDy
with Colin Murphy or Jake O Kane & Guests
of the smiths these music & morrissey charmimg men 8.30pm // £10
8pm // £8/7 Pay at the Door
Thursday 12 May
Sunday 1 May
SHIZZNIGH
LUNCH WITH LEGENDS the trophy years 7.30pm // £25 / £35
Saturday 7 May
(VIP)
the mighty stef 8.30pm // £11
Saturday 14 May SHIZZNIGH
Monday 2 May
the bonnevilles
MAKING MONSTERS
Thursday 19 May
8.30pm // £8
SHIZZNIGH
8.30pm // £6
SOUNDS OF NI
Thursday 5 Mar
GIFTED
New Ancestors, Travis Is A Tourist, Chrisy Mc Cullagh & Hannaway
9pm // £3 Pay at the Door
Friday 6 May LEMK PROMOTIONS
SPACE THE BAND 7.30pm // £15
8.30pm // £5
Friday 20 May SHIZZNIGH
CHRIS WOODS GROOVE 8.30pm // £10
Saturday 21 May
hermitage green 8.30pm // £10
Sunday 22 May
Saturday 4 June
argyle goolsby
Pleasuredome
SHIZZNIGH
MAURICE JAY’S
8pm // £10
SCHOOLS OUT!
8.30pm // £10
Wednesday 25 May
Friday 10 June SHIZZNIGH
BMC ANNUAL CONCERT norma jean 8.30pm // £20
8pm // £TBC
Saturday 11 June
Thursday 26 May FUEL EVENTS
john mark mc millan
raised on rock 8.30pm // £11
Sunday 12 June
7.30pm // £15
EUROS 2016
Saturday 28 May
kaz hawkins band 8.30pm // £11.50
5pm // Free Adm
Saturday 18 June
roadhouse doors
Sunday 29 May
ken haddock
POLAND V N IRELAND
BANK HOLIDAY SUPPERCLUB
7pm // Free Adm
Thursday 2 June
GIFTED
THE LATE TWOS, GOLDIE FAWN, BANGOR’s in an INSTANT & SALFORD LADS CLUB
9pm // £3 Pay at the Door
8pm // £11
Friday 24 June INSIDE MOVES
MAURICE FULTON 8.30pm // £10
Saturday 25 June HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN 8.30pm // £12
CHRIS WOODS
GROOVE After a marathon two year recording session guitar supremo CHRIS WOODS released his debut album, Stories for Solo Guitar and in doing so redefined the role of the solo guitarist. Wrestling away the mantle from fret-melters like Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, Chris has become the go-to guy for the percussive style of playing. Combining ear-bending dropped tune grooves with a flair for storytelling, Chris’ work comes from a frightening variety of influences, from English folk, via Spanish flamenco and a healthy dash of modern technology thrown in. Support on the night comes from TONY MCHUGH, COLM MCINTYRE, GAVIN FERRY and DAVID BROWNE MURRY.
Date: Fri 20 May
Doors 8.30pm / ÂŁ10
Limerick based HERMITAGE GREEN hope to outshine 2015’s successes – two well-regarded releases and signing a record deal with none other than Sony, which enabled them to work with Philip McKee (Kodaline, The Script, Declan O’Rourke). Looking to do to Irish Trad what Mumford and Sons did
Date: Sat 21 May
to English folk, HERMITAGE GREEN released their debut big label album Save Your Soul in March of this year, to universal praise. It’s not just a studio phenomenon either – 5 years of live experience have gone into making these talented fellas part of Ireland’s biggest buzz band since the Thrills. With support from PAUL TULLY.
Doors 8.30pm / £10
Ahead of the summer festivals, singer/ songwriter and BLITZKID co-founder, ARGYLE GOOLSBY takes to The Empire to stir up a cauldron of boiling punk rock stock, seasoned with delicate deathrock sensibilities. Goolsby who credits his late mother for giving him the “dedication” to be successful in music has proven to be a consummate live performer. His melodic approach to horror punk has seen him play with various horror outfits such as Gorgeous Frankenstein, the Undead, Wednesday 13, Danzig and Soulfly. A desire to express thoughts about a “universal understanding of the world, yourself and your place in it” within the dark imagery of his music has led to over 700 shows across 29 countries and releasing umpteen albums. Support comes from SLUTS / SO LONG LAWFUCKER and DRAKONIS
Date: Sun 22 May
UNTIL THE SÉANCE,
Doors 8pm / £10
FUEL EVENTS
JOHN MARK MC MILLEN JOHN MARK MCMILLAN is one of the true auteurs of the Contemporary Praise genre, a man whose musical exploration is more akin to Bruce Springsteen or Bill Callahan than the tired, happy-clappy clichés of Christian rock. Inspired as much by the psalms as his upbringing in rural North Carolina, McMillan’s work transcends the boundaries of Faith music –believer or no, you’ll find wisdom, comfort and a little something of yourself in the words and music of this singular talent. Support comes from BRIAN HOUSTON.
Date: Thurs 26 May
Doors 7.30pm / £15
K A Z H AW K I N S
We’re always glad to see KAZ HAWKINS and her band darkening the door at the Empire, because we know that the good times are just around the corner. And what could be better than a proper rock and roll, blues experience? Why only the launch party for her latest album Feelin’ Good, and the first date of a massive 50 date UK tour. Ambassador for the arts, bandleader and chanteuse, Kaz has been making Belfast a brighter place for longer than we care to remember, so we’re super pleased to be hosting this big night, complete with support from GAVIN FERRIS and Hobgoblin Comedy Award Finalist TERESA LIVINGSTONE as compere for the night.
Date: Sat 28 May
Doors 8.30pm / £11.50
Ken Haddock’s Soul & Blues may bank holiday supper club Free Nibbles
with Support from Amanda Agnew
There’s a very good reason why KEN HADDOCK is currently the holder of Belfast’s longest residency title – every Sunday the devoted and curious come down to hear the virtuoso guitarist strut his stuff, backed by the best musicians the country has to offer. With complementary nibbles for the early birds, no work the next day and Ken’s unique take on the classics, there’s no need to look any further for your Bank Holiday weekend jollies. And did we mention it’s free?
Date: Sun 29 May
Doors 7pm / Free Adm
Schools out for summer! Who did you have plastered on the inside of your locker in the 80s and 90s, courtesy of Smash Hits or Look In? Wham? Madonna? Prince for the sexy rebels? Whatever your pleasure MAURICE JAY and his merry minstrels will be pumping out the 80’s pop hits. It’s like the past twenty years have never happened as you revisit the decade that style forgot, via the greatest power ballads, bubblegum 45’s and rock anthems. It’s your personal Club Tropicana, where drinks may not be free, but are on promotion all night!
Date: Sat 4 June
Doors 8.30pm / £10
NORMA JEAN It’s rare that we get the honour of hosting Hardcore legends, and when it’s the (in)famous Norma Jean, we’re doubly excited! Rising from the ashes of the classic Luta-kriss line-up, NORMA JEAN went on to release some of the late 90’s least compromising albums, bang full of punishing riffs and singalong choruses that spoke to tens of thousands. Returning to original label Solid State has revitalised the band, even ten years after the release of the universally praised O God, the Aftermath. With a new album in the offing, the time has come to catch some righteous punk rock fury at the music hall.
Date: Fri 10 June
Doors 7.30pm / £20
Date: Sat 11 June
Doors 8.30pm / £10
The Doors. The legend, the Lizard King himself, Jim Morrison. Rob on guitar, John on drums and of course, Ray on Keys. But where’s the bass? Who needs a safety net when you’re flying free, brother? The premier tribute to the band that defined the 60’s, THE ROADHOUSE DOORS bring an encyclopaedic knowledge of the band’s back catalogue to the stage, as well as authentic vintage equipment and a passion for the music of Jim and Co. Riders on the Storm, Love Her Madly and, course the End – the Age of Aquarius is alive and well!
Date: Sat 18 June
Doors 8.30pm / £11
Date: Fri 24 June One of electronic music’s original innovators, MAURICE FULTON, a renegade who never fails to surprise and delight his listeners. The Baltimore expat has lived around the world, now finding himself somewhere between New York and Sheffield via a stint in Melbourne. Originally
Doors 8.30pm / £12 working in hip-hop, he then turned to house and disco and has produced under a variety of monikers, most recently with a string of amazing releases under Boof. Credited with the enduring 90s anthem Gypsy Woman, Fulton possesses one of the most impressive discographies we can think of. Mr. Fulton will take you everywhere from Boogie Steppers to Paradise Garage classics. A true genius, he is a man of few words, who is more inclined to let his music do the talking. He is undoubtedly an icon, held in high esteem by club goers and some of the world’s most respected DJs alike.
Hats off to
With a pedigree that reads like a who’s who of top-flight session musicians and managed by the son of the legendary Peter Grant, HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN are the tribute to the band that bestrode the 70’s like a leather clad colossus. Stairway will not be denied tonight, alongside all of the bands greatest hits from the golden years of one to four, Physical Graffiti and the glory days of the Knebworth mega gigs.
Date: Sat 25 June
Doors 8.30pm / £12
Coming Up... FRI 1 JULY
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FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS
SUBS BENCH £7.50 Sharing Platter
HOT DOG with mustard & chilli BEEF SLIDER with bacon & cheese PULLED PORK SLIDER with BBQ sauce BUCKET OF FRITES with dip
LE MATCH BURGER £5 BEEF / CHICKEN / PULLED PORK with FRITES
POMMES FRITES £2 WWW.THEBELFASTEMPIRE.COM
Bucket of skinny seasoned chips
BEER BUCKET £10 San Miguel/Coors Light (4 x 330ml)
2 FOXES ROCK £6.50 (500ml Bottles)
BOTANIC AVENUE, BELFAST T: 028 9024 9276