Grandmaster Flash: Hip Hop, People, Places and Things

Grandmaster Flash is bringing his show, Hip Hop, People, Places and Things, to Concorde 2 on Tuesday 27 October 2026. It’s a presentation that moves through the history of hip hop, starting from the 1970s and moving up to the present day. Rather than just a standard DJ set, the evening is structured as an interactive and visual narrative, with the artist himself guiding the audience through the timeline of the genre.

The show focuses on the technical and historical roots of the music. Grandmaster Flash uses the stage to demonstrate original 'breaks' and incorporates vinyl records from the era to illustrate the evolution of the sound. It’s a multimedia approach, with album covers displayed on screen to provide context for the tracks being played. Throughout the presentation, he mixes these historical elements with live DJ sessions, focusing on the 'cuttin' and scratchin'' techniques that defined his own career and the wider development of hip hop. It’s essentially a lecture-style performance that relies on his personal experience to explain how the culture shifted over the decades. By narrating the show himself, he connects the specific records and techniques to the broader social and cultural changes that occurred as hip hop moved from local parties to a global phenomenon.

If you’re planning to head down to Madeira Drive for this, there are a few specific entry requirements to keep in mind. The event is for those aged 14 and over. If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. That adult needs to bring valid identification, such as a passport or a driving licence, and will be asked to provide their contact details at the door. Both the minor and the accompanying adult are required to wear a wristband for the duration of the event. The venue enforces this policy strictly, and they will not allow entry without the proper documentation or the accompanying adult, so it is best to have everything ready before you arrive.

The show starts at 19:30. Tickets are available to purchase online, though the specific pricing is currently listed as to be confirmed. It is a chance to see the technical side of the genre’s history presented by someone who was there as it developed.