First in a new series of variety nights

People Just Do Nothing’s Kurupt FM are to headline the first in a new series of variety nights at the Hackney Empire.

The team of Seapa, MC Beats and Steves will play the East London landmark on October 22, ahead of their own short UK tour in December.

It is the first in a series called Empire Nights, with each gig curated by a different artist – starting with comic Jamali Maddix.

The line-up also features comics Guz Khan, Michelle de Swarte and Kyrah Gray, plus grime MC Manga Saint Hilare and DJ Lex Blondin.

Maddix said: ‘Hackney Empire is a place I’ve always loved, so I’m excited to be curating a night there and bringing together a bunch of artists I appreciate and am inspired by.’

The second Empire Nights bill will be headlined by Lou Sanders on January 29.

Becca Thomason, head of programming at the 125-year-old venue, said: ‘Hackney Empire has an immense legacy as a variety house, and with Empire Nights we wanted to take that history and reimagine it for today.

‘We invited artists and producers across art forms we admire to help workshop the series, and we couldn’t think of anyone better than East Londoner and Hackney Empire regular Jamali Maddix to curate the first night.'

Published: 2 Sep 2026