Few would argue The Empire is Teesside's most prestigious venue.

From its early days as a music hall when it hosted the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Harry Houdini, to more modern times when it has welcomed many of the world's biggest DJs alongside live bands such as the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and Scissor Sisters, the venue has enjoyed a proud and varied history.

Having recently celebrated its 15th birthday in its current incarnation, co-owners Ashley Wem and Barry Faulkner Jnr are ensuring that Middlesbrough's premier venue doesn't live off past glories by announcing a live music program that any venue in the country would be proud of.

The live shows have been booked in by Ben Hathaway, who has recently joined the Empire's team as musical director after making a name for himself at Coventry's legendary Casbah venue.

Over the past few years, The Empire's spectacular Saturday night club event Metropolis has welcomed everybody from Pendulum to Maximo Park to The Rapture to The Cribs onto that legendary stage, but in the coming months, the venue will be hosting regular gigs on weeknights for the first time in its history.

Before the end of the year, such luminaries as The Charlatans, Funeral For A Friend and Idlewild will have visited Middlesbrough as part of The Empire's stunning live music schedule.

The remaining live line up for the year is:

Wednesday 2 December Gallows
Monday 7 December Dragonforce
Thursday 17 December The Charlatans

Tickets for all shows are available from www.ticketweb.co.uk, HMV in Middlesbrough and the Empire Box Office.

* FOR more information visit www.theempire.co.uk or contact Ashley Wem at ashley@theempire.co.uk