Empire of the Sun
Channel 24, Sacramento
May 4, 2025
Photos by Paul Piazza
Empire of the Sun recently came to Sacramento’s Channel 24, the city’s brand-new, state-of-the-art music venue. The show was a chance for the venue to shine while showcasing one of the globe’s best audio and visuals performing groups. And shine they did on the Sunday night before Cinco de Mayo in Sacramento with a huge and creative production that reflected the band’s visual and sonic aesthetic magnificently.
Empire of the Sun is currently touring in support of their 2024 record Ask That God. The Australian group, which is led by vocalist/guitarist Luke Steele, is in the midst of a massive resurgence following a lengthy break they took during Covid that continued into the post-pandemic months. During the pandemic, the band found it difficult to collaborate remotely and thus, took a little extra time to regroup. It was obviously worth the wait for this creative partnership.
Steele partners with producer Nick Littlemore (Pnau) in making the group’s records. Littlemore does not tour with the band, but appears in the band’s exceptional cinematic videos. Together, they have created a hugely successful global act. The group became an international success with their 2008 record Walking on a Dream. They followed that with Ice on the Dune in 2013 and Two Vines in 2016.
Along the way, Empire of the Sun participated in successful collaborations with the late Mac Miller as well as Wiz Khalifa, and most recently, Lindsey Buckingham. The two also pursued other projects. Steele released released a solo album called Listen to Water in 2022 and Littlemore continues to make music with Pnau.
While Empire of the Sun is often put into the alternative/indie category, they are also heavy into electropop and synth-pop sounds. In fact, there sound is ever-evolving. At numerous times during the big show, the crowd danced hard to the music to big beats. Then at others, Steele, who dons a headdress throughout most of the show that draws inspiration from the Japanese warrior Kabuto, would wield a guitar and let loose. Steele’s playing was more than a little impressive. Steele can wail on a guitar and had a few moments of pure six-string ecstasy.
Opening the show were Roi Turbo, an electronic duo of brothers Benjamin and Conor McCarthy who were born in South Africa, but now live in London. They got the crowd fired up with some great dance beats along with a bit of live drums and guitar. Expect them to appear on your radar down the road.
In the meantime, Empire of the Sun appear to have reclaimed their footing in a world that remains ever-changing based on their audio and visual stunner of a show in Sacramento.
