Empire Of The Sun Walk The Dream At Brixton

by | Jul 11, 2019

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

Empire Of The Sun are an unusual proposition, the Australian duo of EDM / indie-pop fusion pioneers Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore appeared like a breath of fresh air in the faux-80’s haze of the late naughties music scene bringing a grand look and design along with their breezy tunes. 2008 record Walking On A Dream brought critical and commercial acclaim, gaining them recognition in the UK and US amongst other markets with singles Walking On A Dream and We Are The People leading the charge.

Ice On The Dune followed in 2013 and third record Two Vines in 2016. And no, their name does not derive from the 1984 J. G. Ballard book Empire Of The Sun or 1987 Christian Bale-led Spielberg film based upon it, this is a mere coincidence the duo insist.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

But as record sales declined during the birth of the streaming era and an industry shift towards heavy touring ensued, Empire Of The Sun were left behind somewhat, playing only a selection of shows each year and more so without Pnau frontman Littlemore – regardless of them being largescale theatrical events. Indeed, as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of Walking On A Dream with a worldwide tour, the dates are sparse – tonight’s Brixton Academy show is their only UK stop – and Littlemore is no more, having recently announced to the media that his “career is over” with a desire instead to help other artists.

But The Sleepy Jackson frontman Steele and company are resplendent, bringing all that has been kitsch about their retro-futuristic style to the forefront for a full audio-visual, hyperreal experience this Tuesday night in Brixton. Their set isn’t simply a run-through of Walking On A Dream, instead, we’re treated to a 90-minute extravaganza that enfolds cuts from their subsequent releases.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

As a computer-generated Japanese female adorns the huge digital display background behind an illuminated riser, vocalist-guitarist Steele and his live band of Ian Ball on guitars and Olly Peacock on drums along with two female dancers take to the stage, kicking off proceedings with Walking On A Dream album opener Standing On The Shore, Steele sporting his signature headdress and oriental-styled gown with a Fender Stratocaster in hand. The guitar is immediately put to work as Ice On The Dune cut, Old Flavours kicks off with its electric guitar licks layered atop electronic beats.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

The opening synth notes of Half Mast and subsequent beats have the crowd bouncing along, many sporting their own versions of Steele’s headdress or some face glitter at the very least. The 39-year-old frontman makes the most of instrumental breaks to escape his podium, interacting with the pair of dancers across the stage.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

Following an odd interaction between Steele and a CG Zeus-styled man appearing on the large screen, it is hit single We Are The People that elicits the biggest cheer of the night from the South London crowd, the bounce rippling from the barrier to the bars at the back of the floor and up into the balcony.  Unfortunately, with one of their two big hits out of the way so early in the set, the crescendo is hit upon early.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

Summer-breeze, acoustic guitar-led indie-pop washes over Brixton by way of Two Vines single Way To Go before slow anthemic debut record cut The World with Steele’s signature falsetto continues the set’s brief lull, Peacock’s live drums boosting the crowd mid-way through before we’re treated to new song Chrysalis, featured on their debut’s vinyl reissue.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun
Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun

Two Vines cut High And Low has the crowd singing along as a plethora of coherent light beams in red, green and white spin from sources on the stage and land at the back of the hall, the screen behind the band in continuous motion, like some psychedelic Windows screensaver.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

A surprising addition to the set comes by way of a cover of The Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers song Between You And Me, from his second solo album The Desired Effect.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

Swordfish Hotkiss Night from their debut kicks off a three-song run, concluding the main set with the album’s title track by way of more interactions between Steele and the CG Japanese girl for a re-worked duet rendition of 2009 single Without You, the frontman turning his back on the Brixton crowd, focusing instead on the CG character until it’s time for another electrifying guitar solo.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

Following a brief departure from the stage, Walking On A Dream cut Tiger By My Side and Ice On The Dune tune Alive close out the surreal but uplifting night of guitar-driven electro-pop, Steele inviting down Ball and Peacock for a grateful bow to the crowd before disappearing for good.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

And as those closest to the stage stagger up the raked Brixton Academy floor, smiles plastered across their faces and headgear in not quite as pristine condition, it’s clear what tonight has meant to the majority – Empire Of The Sun, in whatever guise they take, fill a void in a niche genre for those who love dance music but also get a thrill out of catchy hooks, rousing singalong choruses and blistering guitars.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

Following shows across the US, Denmark, Finland and tonight’s London stop, Empire Of The Sun close out their 10th anniversary of Walking On A Dream tour with a stop at Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival on Friday.

Empire of the Sun @ Brixton Academy

Live review and photos of Empire Of The Sun  @ Brixton Academy by Kalpesh Patel on 9th July 2019.

 

Foals Saved And Not Lost At Alexandra Palace

Lusaint (Jade Vowles)

Lusaint Captures The Ache Of A Sunlit Longing With New Single ‘Summertime’ Ahead Of ‘The Apothecary’ EP

Rising Mancunian star Lusaint has unveiled her latest single Summertime, a smoky, jazz-laced track brimming with emotion and understated power. Arriving in the wake of earlier 2025 releases Joking and Neon Lights, Summertime serves as the final preview before the release of her hotly anticipated new EP The Apothecary, due later this summer.

Tanner Adell @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Tanner Adell Brings Southern Sparkle To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival often dominated by heavyweight pop, Tanner Adell’s mid-afternoon set on the Rainbow Stage offered a thrilling detour into rhinestone-studded country pop — with a Gen Z twist and plenty of attitude. On a stacked BST Hyde Park Sunday that saw Sabrina Carpenter headline the Great Oak Stage for the second time of the weekend, it was Adell who delivered one of the day’s most memorable performances before the heavens opened and drenched London in a biblical downpour.

Gracie Abrams @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gracie Abrams Brings Intimacy And Surprise To BST Hyde Park 2025

Gracie Abrams, the rising pop luminary from Los Angeles, California, delivered a spellbinding set opening for Vermont’s Noah Kahan at BST Hyde Park on 4th July 2025. At just 25, Abrams has built a devoted fanbase drawn to her confessional lyricism and delicate vocal delivery — and her mid-afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage proved why she’s become one of pop’s most emotionally resonant voices.

The Royston Club (Sam Crowston)

The Royston Club Reveal Tender New Single ‘Cariad’ Ahead Of Anticipated Second Album ‘Songs For The Spine’

The Royston Club are stepping firmly into the indie-rock spotlight with the upcoming release of their second album, Songs For The Spine, set for 8th August. Following the Top 20 success of their debut, the Wrexham quartet return with soaring momentum: vinyl pre-orders sold out in minutes, streaming numbers rising, and a loyal, lyric-chanting fanbase that packs out venues across the UK.

Kanadia (Andy Ford)

Kanadia Announce Third Album ‘The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home’ And Share Cathartic New Single ‘Too Late Now’

Oxford-based alternative rockers Kanadia have announced their third studio album, The Fire That’s Tearing Through Our Home, set for release on 26th September. A sweeping and emotionally charged 50-minute record, the new album is described as a sonic journey through the fragility and beauty of human emotion, with the band promising an abundance of dreamlike textures, massive hooks, and haunting melodies.

Of Mice & Men (Carissa Dugoni)

Of Mice & Men Announce New Album ‘Another Miracle’, Drop New Single ‘Wake Up’

Southern California metalcore stalwarts Of Mice & Men have announced details of their ninth studio album, Another Miracle, due out 14th November 2025 via Century Media Records. Known for their high-octane blend of crushing heaviness and melodic vulnerability, the band returns with what they describe as their most personal and expansive work to date.

Skunk Anansie @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)

Skunk Anansie Unveil Powerful Visual For Deeply Personal New Single ‘Shame’

British rock legends Skunk Anansie have released a striking new video for their latest single Shame, a raw and emotional track that sees frontwoman Skin dive deep into her own past, confronting complex family dynamics and personal identity with unflinching honesty.

Sabrina Carpenter @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Jordan Curtis Hughes / Alfredo Flores)

An Explosive Sabrina Carpenter Show Keeps Drenched London Warm At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Hey London, how you doing? My name’s Sabrina — what’s your name?”. There is a daft cacophony of replies, that shows...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing