The Empire Theatre in Nicolson Street, has stood since 7th November 1892, the first of the great Moss Empire chain, built by famous theatre architect Frank Matcham. 
The theatre has played host to the likes of Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Morecambe and Wise, Judy Garland, Tony Hancock, Tommy Cooper, and Bruce Forsyth, as well as the many legendary bands and performers mentioned below.  Now the Festival Theatre.

1971  15th January Black Sabbath, support bands Freedom & Curved Air


1971  6th March Deep Purple
1971  19th March Jethro Tull, support band Steeleye Span, 23:30 show time
1971  25th September Deep Purple
1972  29th January Black Sabbath, support band Wild Turkey

   Tour poster Showing the Empire date as 26th November 1971, this date was cancelled and rescheduled for 29th January 1972.  Nazareth did not play at the rescheduled date.  Love the "Dark Princes Of Downer Rock" header.

1972  4th February Mountain, support band Jimmy McCulloch
1972  5th February Barclay James Harvest, support Bands Stud & Comus
1972  12th February Quintessence
1972  19th February Stackwaddy, support bands Medicine Head & Bridget St John
1972  25th February Free
1972  26th February Roy Harper 
1972  4th March Elton John
1972  24th March Jethro Tull
1972  23rd September  Deep Purple
1972  24th November Slade, support bands Thin Lizzy & Suzie Quatro
1972  25th November Hawkwind
1972  8th December Wishbone Ash
1973  6th January David Bowie
1973  14th April Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band
1973  19th May David Bowie  (Bowie's party keeping The Monty Python team awake back at the hotel, see under The Kings Theatre for the full story). 


1973  1st June Slade
1973   3rd  November  Roxy Music
1973   22nd December Hawkwind
1986  16th March Sigue Sigue Sputnik
1986  23rd March The Cramps

 


1986  16th May The Ramones (Moved to the Playhouse on the 14th May)