Hackney Empire Young Producers Curate ALTERNATE VERSES Showcase for SXSW London 2026

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The showcase at Tobacco Dock marks a milestone for Hackney Empire's Creative Futures programme.

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As Hackney Empire approaches its 125th birthday year, and its landmark Creative Futures programme looks forward to its 25th anniversary year in 2027, a new generation of East London talent steps onto one of the world's most influential cultural platforms.

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[Thursday 7 May 2026, London] CEO Chris Sudworth, Head of Learning and Participation Lorna McGinty, and the whole team at Hackney Empire are delighted to announce that this June, a group of young creatives from Hackney will take their place on a global stage, as Hackney Empire's Young Producers co-curate an official music showcase at South by Southwest (SXSW) London 2026.

The showcase, Alternate Verses, takes place on 5 June (7pm) at Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes, and has been entirely curated by a cohort of Young Producers aged 14–21.

At the heart of the story is Alana Bubba—a rising artist who came through Hackney Empire's Creative Futures programme and now returns to perform on an international platform, her soulful, genre-blending sound marking her out as one to watch on the UK scene.

It comes at a significant moment for the organisation. In 2027, Creative Futures will celebrate 25 years of supporting young people into the creative industries, while Hackney Empire itself approaches its 125th anniversary, having stood at the heart of its community since 1901.

Alana's journey—from participant to professional artist performing at SXSW London—reflects the long-term impact of the programme, which supports thousands of young people across East London each year to develop skills, confidence and careers in the arts.

Alongside Alana Bubba, the Young Producers have programmed a line-up of boundary-pushing artists including:

Fatima Sheekhuna, Learning and Participation Producer at Hackney Empire, said, “Creative Futures has always been about creating real pathways for young people—not just into the arts, but into sustainable careers. Alana is a beautiful representation of that journey. It is so exciting and incredibly powerful to see her performing at SXSW London, as part of a showcase curated by our Young Producers. It shows the longevity of the work we do at Hackney Empire with young people and what happens when they are genuinely invested in and given the space to lead. The Young Producers have worked super hard to get the best of London's emerging talent, that are breaking musical boundaries and at the brink of cultivating fruitful careers, the night will be an eventful one.”

The partnership with SXSW London extends beyond the stage. This year also sees the creation of a paid Music Industry Coordinator role, designed as a first step into the industry for a young person from the programme. The position is currently held by Merch Husey, an alumnus of Creative Futures programme, who is working across the festival's music team, supporting International Artists , delegates and events.

Set within Shoreditch—where culture, technology and creativity converge—SXSW London is a global platform for discovery. Against this backdrop, Hackney Empire's Young Producers are not simply participating, but actively shaping the future of music and culture.

As Hackney Empire looks ahead to its 125th year, Alternate Verses stands as both a celebration and a statement of intent: that the future of culture is already being created by the young people coming through its doors.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/ALTERNATE-VERSES-Showcase-Curated-by-Hackney-Empire-Young-Producers-Set-for-SXSW-London-2026-20260507)._