"The Empire is the best place to see a gig in the capital. It's just about small enough to be intimate but large enough to make a show feel like an occasion…" - The Guardian
"Top of the best venues lists according to everyone we've asked, Shepherd's Bush always sounds good, whoever's playing." - Itchy London Guide
Since 1903, Shepherd's Bush Empire has been a prominent landmark on London's entertainment scene. Designed and built by Frank Matcham as the flagship of the "Empire" chain of variety theatres, it was taken under the wing of the BBC in the 1950s and converted into a television theatre. Shows such as Crackerjack, The Old Grey Whistle Test, That's Life, Hancock and Wogan were transmitted from there. After a £2million refit, which retained the BBC's technical infrastructure, the Empire opened in March 1994 as a 2000 capacity live venue. The music industry embraced the Empire upon its opening concert, Soundgarden (March 12th 1994), and has consistently provided a wealth of talent ever since.
Artists include: Sheryl Crow, Blondie, Bob Dylan, Black Eyed Peas, Tim Burgess, Finley Quaye, Athlete, Damien Rice, Terry Callier, The Thrills, Patti Smith, Dave Gahan, Bjork, Evan Dando, Macy Gray, Alanis Morrissette, Bjork, Kylie Minogue, The Sex Pistols, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Eric Clapton, Radiohead, Paul McCartney, Ian Dury, Iggy Pop, Iron Maiden, PJ Harvey, Placebo, Gomez, Suede, The Smashing Pumpkins, Coldplay, Badly Drawn Boy, Bush, Stereophonics, Primal Scream and Destiny's Child.
Comedy also plays a part at the Empire with successful shows from artists such as Jo Brand, Eddie Izzard, Howard Marks, Mark Thomas, Dylan Moran, Harry Hill, Ed Byrne, John Shuttleworth, Lee & Herring, Lenny Beige and Sandra Bernhardt. In 1996 'Comic Relief' was broadcast live across the UK to millions of viewers by the BBC from the Shepherds Bush Empire, under the banner "The Empire Strikes Back!"
The dance scene with performers including; Massive Attack, Faithless, Air, Death In Vegas, Tricky, Morcheeba, Moloko and Groove Armada. Soul and R'n'B courtesy of Beverley Knight, Lynden David Hall, Angie Stone and Gabrielle; plus club nights with Cream, Kiss FM, Frantic and the Brazilian "O Carnaval."
Awards
- Music Week UK Venue of The Year 2005, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999
- ILMC Venue of The Year 1999
- Live! Magazine Venue of The Year 1995, 1996, 1998
- BBC London Live Love London Award Best Venue 2000
The Empire continues to maintain its impressive reputation, hosting major events in the entertainment industry such as the Digital Music Awards 2004, BBC's Top Of The Pops Christmas Party 2004, O2 & Dazed & Confused Hero2Hero shows, the Mercury Music Prize and the MTV Five Night Stand. The Empire has frequently hit the headlines with its classic concerts as the chosen venue for exclusive, live and intimate shows by internationally acclaimed stars such as David Bowie (11th and 12th August 1997), Rolling Stones (June 8th 1999), The Who (22nd and 23rd December 1999), Oasis (8th October 2001), Elton John (16th and 17th December 2002) and Bon Jovi (18th September 2002) - who were also the first band at the Empire to simultaneously broadcast their show to twenty cinemas across Europe via satellite and to a global audience of more than 375,000 on the Internet.
In April 2004, the Empire was delighted to host the D12 featuring Eminem concert and in the same year celebrated its 10th Anniversary of its return to a live music venue, with a series of summer events to raise over £20,000 for charity; £10,000 of which was donated by Shepherd's Bush Empire to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.
Continued reinvestment in 2004 saw the refurbishment of its famous Level One Bar, the perfect location for after-show parties and private events and an upgrade of its in-house production facilities with an Avolites Diamond 4 Elite lighting desk; as well backstage and dressing room services.
Customer Information
CUSTOMER INFORMATION LINE: 0905 020 3999 (25p min)
TO BOOK TICKETS
ON LINE: www.ticketweb.co.uk
BOX OFFICE: 08444 77 2000
IN PERSON: There is no booking fee for cash sales when bought in person from the following venue box offices:
Shepherd's Bush Empire: Shepherd's Bush Green, London W12 (Open on show days, only after 4pm.)
Carling Academy Brixton: 211 Stockwell Road London SW9 (Box office opens 2 hours before doors on show days only. Please see venue listings for opening times)
Carling Academy Islington: N1 Centre, 16 Parkfield Street, London N1 (Open Monday - Saturday 12-4pm.)
Other official outlets are SEE Tickets (0871 22 00 260 or www.seetickets.com), Ticketmaster (0844 847 1697 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk) & Gigantic (www.gigantic.com)
AGE RESTRICTIONS
The Shepherds Bush Empire does not have age restrictions. It is not recommended for patrons under 14 years old to attend an event on the Stalls ground floor area. It is not suitable for patrons under 5 years old to attend an event at The Shepherds Bush Empire.
Please note Strobe Lights might be used on some shows, for further details, please ask at the entrance on your arrival at the venue.
FACILITIES FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISABILITIES
The Shepherds Bush Empire aims to be fully accessible for people with disabilities. We have a dedicated booking service where your requirements are noted. Wheelchair users can access the venue via an entrance with no stairs and a ramp down on to the raised platform at the back of the stalls. We can accommodate a maximum of 4 wheelchair users per show and have viewing areas which provide a good view of the stage. There is also an accessible toilet within this area. Persons requiring seats can gain access to the seated balconies via a lift. We are happy to try and accommodate any special requirements on request. Please do not hesitate to contact us on 0208 354 3300 for further information.
USE OF CAMERAS
Professional cameras are not allowed into the venue. A 'professional' camera is defined as any (film or digital) with an adjustable or zoom lense. Video cameras and recording equipment are also prohibited. Any such items will be confiscated for the duration of the concert.
TICKETS TERMS & CONDITIONS
- Current Licensing laws are strictly enforced
- Ticket holder may be subject to search
- Tickets are non-refundable or transferable
- Ticket holders consent to any filming and sound recordings as members of the audience
- Ticket holders may be subject to continuous sound levels which may cause potential damage to hearing
- Ticket holders may be exposed to strobe lights
- No re-admission policy is strictly enforced
- No bottles, cans, alcohol or food is to be brought into the venue
- No illegal substances may be brought into or taken on the premises. Any one caught in possession of such substances will be ejected form the premises and may be reported to the Police
- Any ticket holder throwing objects (beer, glasses etc) will be removed from the building and no refund given. Furthermore, customer details will be provided to the regulatory authorities should an offence be alleged to have taken place.
The Shepherds Bush Empire adopts a neighbour friendly policy so please make as little noise as possible on leaving the venue.
TYPE OF TICKETS
- STALLS STANDING - Ground floor standing area (stage level)
- LEVEL 1 UNRESERVED SEATS/STANDING
- LEVEL 2 UNRESERVED SEATS/STANDING
- LEVEL 3 UNRESERVED SEATS/STANDING
All balconies are mainly seated (first come first serve basis) although there is some standing available.
CLOAK-ROOM FACILITIES
The venue has a cloakroom facility in the Stalls area. We accept bags.
Please note that the cloakroom is subject to availability.
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