Getting to Merriweather Post Pavilion on the Friday afternoon of Labor Day weekend was no small task, but for Empire of the Sun fans, it was the ultimate kickoff to the holiday weekend.
Openers Midnight Generation, a retro-pop and disco-electronic band from northern Mexico, and Polo & Pan, a French electronic duo from Paris, primed the crowd with wonderful performances that made Merriweather feel like an outdoor club in Europe.
By the time Empire of the Sun took the stage, the venue was packed. People of all ages filled the pavilion, many dressed in colorful clothing, elaborate makeup, metallic accessories, and futuristic details. Some even painted the horizontal white stripe across their eyes, a nod to Luke Steele’s signature look.
Then the countdown began.
The screen behind the stage glowed red as anticipation built throughout the pavilion. A choral-like intro filled the space, and Steele appeared in a red kimono-style robe, accompanied by the rest of the band and dancers.
The concert opened with “Desire,” a new, unreleased song the band has been performing as the opening track on this tour. The 90-minute set moved through different moods and tempos, including newer songs from Ask That God such as “Changes” and “Cherry Blossom.”
Then came “We Are the People,” from the band’s debut album, Walking on a Dream. The crowd erupted, singing, jumping, dancing, and embracing their significant others.
Watch the official music video for “We Are the People” by Empire of the Sun on YouTube:
Empire of the Sun remains one of the most visually ambitious live bands around. Its show is a dreamy, beautiful escape from reality. Massive screens projected cinematic, CGI-driven imagery that took the audience on a journey blending ancient mythology, futuristic technology, and dreamlike pop imagery. The visuals were carefully synchronized with the music, dancers, and elaborate costumes.
Drummer Olly Peacock, who has performed with Empire of the Sun for more than a decade, had his own moment in the spotlight with a brief drum solo.
Another welcome element was the presence of sign-language interpreters throughout the show. Their movements followed the emotion and rhythm of the music, making them feel like part of the performance itself. Snakky and Dexxy joined the band onstage during “Music on the Radio.”
Steele also stepped down from the stage several times to walk along the pit, connecting directly with fans and making such a large-scale production feel surprisingly intimate.
Near the end of the show, I made my way to the highest point of the pavilion to capture some shots from above. During the final song, “Walking on a Dream,” the entire audience was bathed in blue light. From that vantage point, I could see a sea of people filling the pavilion and lawn, singing along to the band’s signature single from its 2008 album of the same name.
Watch the official music video for “Walking on a Dream” by Empire of the Sun on YouTube:
Steele spoke to the audience several times throughout the night. At one point, he offered a spiritual reflection: “The first step to hearing God’s voice is to relax.”
After the final song, Steele told the crowd, “Remember, we pray for each other, love each other. May God bless you.”
The band members held hands and bowed before turning toward one another and embracing. Steele then returned to the microphone one final time: “Stay blessed. Stay beautiful. Be the light. See you soon.”
And with that, an amazing night came to an end.
If you get the chance to see Empire of the Sun in your city, please go. You can thank me later. 😉
Here are some photos of Empire of the Sun performing live at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sept. 4, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Marisol Yanguas.
