With just $72 to his name Empire of the Sun frontman Luke Steele was living in a caravan outside his parent’s house in Yokine before the debut album Walking on a Dream catapulted him and Nick Littlemore to fame in 2008.
These electro-pop astral wizards wrapped up the Australian leg of their Ask That God tour in Perth on Friday night performing to a sold-out crowd at Red Hill Auditorium.
Empire of the Sun performed in Perth on Friday night. Credit: Richard Clifford
Empire of the Sun have released four studio albums, Walking On A Dream (2008), Ice On The Dune (2013), Two Vines (2016) and 2024’s Ask That God, features the visually stunning videos, Changes, Music On The Radio and Cherry Blossom, The Feeling You Get and Happy Like You.
So it’s been some time, eight years in fact, since the visionary duo of Steele and Sydneysider Littlemore released an album with Ask That God, at times an intense assault on the senses but still brimming with funky beats and catchy chords and lyrics.
Tasmanian alt-electro duo Sumner, comprised of Chloe Wilson and Jack McLaine, warmed up the crowd before the main act. The pair have garnered critical acclaim for their captivating melodies, intricate electronic production, and authentic lyrics.
Catching the world’s attention in 2018 with their self-released material, Sumner signed to Littlemore and Peter Mayes’ (PNAU) label Lab78 soon after.
They tore the place apart with an incredible cover of an INXS hit. Someone from triple j need to get these guys on for Like a Version.
Empire of the Sun started their set with stormy graphics before kicking things off with Changes, their first release in eight years. Steele said it was a breakthrough track, a moment of clarity when it became evident they were in the next chapter of Empire.
Empire of the Sun performed in Red Hill. Credit: Richard Clifford
It was followed by the bangers Half Mast and Cherry Blossom off their new album. At times the music had an air of David Bowie in his Labyrinth era with Steele making numerous changes to his imperial regalia.
It was an interesting crowd with fans spanning from Gen Z to Gen X in equal numbers and both equally enamoured by the back catalogue of hits including We Are The People, Alive, Walking on a Dream.
Empire’s chart success extends far beyond their native Australia, with their albums achieving multi-platinum certifications across the globe and solidifying their status as icons of the electronic music genre.
The band will take their tour to Mexico City next.
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