He’s back… and turning the volume up even louder. After tearing the roof off with his Back to the 80s show last year, 80s icon, heart-throb and Spandau Ballet legend Martin Kemp returns on Friday 1st May for the ultimate kickstart to summer. Expect wall-to-wall anthems as Martin spins the biggest hits of the decade - think Duran Duran, Madonna, George Michael, Chaka Khan, and yes… Gold will absolutely be played. Cue colossal singalongs, hands-in-the-air moments and more throwbacks than your first mixtape. So dust off the shoulder pads, tease that fringe sky-high and embrace the glow as the Beer Palace is transformed into the ultimate 80s playground - all big tunes, bold looks and zero inhibitions. If you joined us last summer, you know exactly what’s coming. If you didn’t… consider this your warning.

We started just over 20 years ago on a Thursday night in the purple onion bar Boro and now we celebrate 20 years on and what a venue to do it in The Middlesbrough Empire

Taking us through the summer of music is none other than Toots and the Maytals. A Grammy award winner, his sound is a unique and original combination of Gospel, Ska, Soul, Reggae and Rock. Maytal’s influence on popular music is undeniable. Considered a musical legend, the artist’s catalogue has been covered by artists from Amy Winehouse to Sublime.

Coming straight out of Newport The GLC are officially Britain’s biggest rap group. Known for classics like “Guns don’t kill people rappers do”, The GLC started almost by accident around the turn of the century with Eggsy’s impromptu rap about his tracksuit over a serious piece of music Rhys was working on in the studio. Adam Hussain, Billy Webb, Mystkal, the Maggot, 2hats and Mike Balls convinced Rhys to record the rap. Fuelled by Lambrini, fags, Chicken Tikka Massala and weed they all took to the mic and The GLC’s first album “Don’t Blame the Chain” was born. And so it began, the journey which has so far seen The GLC rise to the top of the charts, perform around the world and at every major festival in the Western Hemisphere and make millions of people laugh along the way. Now many years since that first rap about Eggsy’s tracksuit, the boys are still keeping it real in the rap game and hold the title of the most successful UK rap act ever. To date The GLC have released 18 albums… and amazingly none of them have died yet. You knows it! GLC (Live) plus special guests

Hard rockers Massive Wagons formed in 2009 in their hometown of Carnforth, England with vocalist Barry Mills and guitarist Adam Thistlethwaite who were at the time on the local live circuit as part of indie rock band Ace Face (though with Mills on bass guitar). The duo decided to strike out with their own music of a harder hitting variety, with the stage show to match. The decision was influenced by the resurging popularity of hard rock acts of the time, primarily Airbourne and Black Stone Cherry and the duos lifelong affinity for classic rock acts such as UFO, Rainbow and Slade. Adams brother Alex was recruited on drums and old school buddy Adam Bouskill joined on bass, freeing Mills to focus on the role of frontman, the line-up was completed by Carl Cochrane on rhythm guitar. For a while the 5 piece was nameless until they jokingly adopted the nickname of a local barmaid for their first gig, only for the name to stick and become their official moniker.

Join The Smyths as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of two iconic Smiths albums, The Smiths and Hatful of Hollow, that feature such classic tracks as “This Charming Man” “What Difference Does It Make?” “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and “How Soon Is Now”.

Raver Tots is returning featuring a huge effects show throughout the event with dancers, performers, cold pyro, bubbles, festival sized confetti blasts, multi coloured lasers and lighting, parachute games, giant balloons, licensed bar and face painting!

Featuring four incredible young performers, dazzling choreography, sparkling costumes, and non-stop hits designed to get audiences of all ages singing and dancing!

Headline shows from The Black Charade performing 'The Black Parade' In full and Fell Out Boy, plus greatest hits from Meteora and Dookie.

Get ready to dive into a night of pure entertainment - packed with comedy, chaos, dance-offs, reggae-oke, and cash prizes up for grabs. Our resident DJ and host will be dropping the biggest tunes from Dancehall, Soca, Reggae, Old Skool & Anthems all night long!

Sip & paint neon painting. Fun, relaxed and magical.

Jacaranda Records presents a live performance from Jessie Ware in support of her new album 'Superbloom'. Presented by Jacaranda Records. This is an 18+ event

We're bringing nothing but pure vibes! Expect feel-good reggae, dancehall and R&B anthems, amazing food, cocktails flowing, games, prizes and hands-in-the-air energy from start to finish.

We Will Rock You - The Queen Tribute Experience is a spectacular live show honouring the legendary music of Queen and the iconic showmanship of Freddie Mercury.

2026 marks 20 years of Back to Black - an album that defined a special moment in time and changed the shape of modern soul, jazz and pop music, forever.

Arctic Numpties are Yorkshire's very own tribute to the Arctic Monkeys, with roots to the very same places as the original band. The 'Numpties' give audiences the ultimate Arctic Monkeys experience, exactly replicating the Sheffield icons' sound, look, guitars and excessive use of hair gel. Covering everyone's favourites from all six albums, the Arctic Numpties are a must see tribute band for any Monkeys fan. The band were originally founded by 17 year olds Ben Curry and Jack Walker in 2019. The pair originally started playing Monkeys songs together in their bedrooms before forming the lineup later that year with Tom Smart and Nathan Mabey. Ben plays guitar and keys, as well as fronting the band on vocals, imitating Alex Turner. Jack is lead guitarist of the band, their very own Jamie Cook. Tom, other wise known as 'Sheepy' is on the drums, with likeness to Matt Helders, he helps with backing vocals along with Nick O'Malley, or Nathan who plays the bass.

The day session is done. The night is not. A 30-second walk from the courtyard and you're through the side entrance of The Empire, straight onto the middle floor, our floor. Quality sound, quality space, and the only people here are those meant to be. This is exclusive to the House Masters Family. No crossover, no confusion. We have no idea what's happening in the main room, and it doesn't matter. This is our room, our music, our people.