Empire Of The Sun @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl: A Review
Photo Credit: Diana Nguyen
On Saturday night, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl transformed into a vibrant scene, as Empire of the Sun brought their iconic style and energy to the stage for the second stop of their Ask That God tour. With a lineup of incredible openers and a headlining performance that left the crowd buzzing, the night was full of electronic music and theatrical flair.
The evening kicked off with Sumner, a two-piece act all the way from Tasmania, whose upbeat vibes were the perfect introduction to the night. With a sound very similar to Empire of the Sun's own, they seamlessly fit into the lineup, setting the stage for the following artists. Sumner’s high energy beats and dance tracks got the crowd moving. Their set was a fantastic start to the night, warming up the audience nicely for the rest of the night.
Following on from Sumner’s high-energy performance, Crooked Colours took to the stage, keeping the crowd alive and raring to go. With their party-style synth tracks, they continued to build on the crowd’s hype, maintaining the high energy of the evening. Crooked Colours delivered a set that kept the crowd engaged and dancing. Their sound, much like Sumner’s, fit very well into the electronic atmosphere that Empire of the Sun fans love. By the end of their set, the crowd was very eagerly awaiting the headlining act.
As the crowd’s anticipation reached its peak, Empire of the Sun made their grand entrance, strutting onto the stage in their signature funky costumes. They jumped straight into their first song, instantly causing the entire seated section of the crowd to jump to their feet. The stage decor was incredible, with elaborate props, enchanting visuals, and stunning lighting effects that were so immersive, that I felt like I was right next to them on stage!
Empire of the Sun’s stage presence was nothing short of fascinating. Their choreography was beautifully constructed, each movement perfectly in sync with the beat.. The dancers added an extra layer of excitement, bringing the rest of the stage to life alongside the lead singer’s performance. With multiple costume changes throughout their set, each transition offered a new vibe, keeping the performance fresh and engaging.
Between songs, the band took moments to connect with the audience, creating an intimate yet uplifting atmosphere. At one point, the lead singer shared a heartfelt message, referencing one of their lighting technician’s brother, who had tragically passed away by suicide just days earlier. He offered a powerful statement; “Every single one of you in this crowd has a massive dream, a massive vision, and you’re going to go around the world and do massive things. What we have here is a gift. You’re a gift, you’re a blessing”. His words resonated with the crowd deeply, casting a moment of silence, but were soon after met with cheers, creating a collective feeling of hope and unity.
As soon as the heartfelt interlude concluded, Empire of the Sun shifted gears, diving straight back into their performance with, “Let’s keep this party going.”
The seamless blend of music and sound effects between songs helped build the crowd’s anticipation for each new track, creating a continuous flow of energy.
Their setlist featured a perfect mix of new tracks from their latest album Ask That God and some of their fan favourite hits. Each one brought to life by intricately designed lighting displays and stunning visual effects in the background. As the night drew to a close, the band built up to their final song, Alive, a hit that sent the crowd into an absolute frenzy. The audience’s energy was incredible, singing along to every word just as loud as the band delivered a powerful and memorable finale.
Empire of the Sun’s set lasted a full hour and a half, yet not once did the crowd’s energy die down. With their immersive visuals, and heartfelt connection with the audience, Empire of the Sun created an enthralling experience, one that easily earns a spot in my top 5 concerts of all time. It was a night where music, emotion, and visual art came together, leaving fans, including myself, talking about this show for a long time to come.