26 February 2023 – Fortitude Music Hall – review by Bec Lee
The Fortitude Music Hall on Saturday night was transformed into a world of theatrical splendour and intrigue…
It’s been almost 6 years since alt-electronic superstars Empire Of The Sun have toured their home country. The atmosphere was electric in Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall as the “Guest DJ” pumped out tunes such as ‘Dare’ by the Gorillaz, and Luke Steele gets a nod with a Sleepy Jackson track thrown in the mix.
As the band take the stage, the first thing we notice is the wonderfully shaped podium that is lit up in various colours, as front man Luke Steele slowly walks onto it, donning a cape and wide brimmed hat, his long hair and beard flowing. He is striking to look at, like an ancient being or wizard about to take on his enemy or slay a beast.
Tonight (former Sleepy Jackson indie star) Steele is accompanied by drummer Olly Peacock and multi-instrumentalist Ian Ball of Gomez fame), and they kick it all off with ‘Standing On The Shore’ their stunning debut album ‘Walking on a Dream’ from 2008. There is no sign of the other half of the duo, Nick Littlemore of Pnau – not sure what the go is there.
The crowd takes the vibes up a notch or two when the band launch into ‘We Are The People”, the 2nd single from their debut album. Steele’s vocals are almost as good as on the recording, as he easily hits the high notes. Dancers dressed in all sorts of costumes for each theme or segment grace the stage and add to the atmosphere, transforming us to another world. Steele himself seems to be praying or bowing down to an old, bearded man mumbling wise words on the backdrop screen.
In between songs, he chats and tells us how happy he is to be back in “The Motherland”.
Steele then squeezes in the solo title track ‘Listen To The Water’ from his 2022 debut, and we get to take a break from throbbing electro beats for a few minutes.
The guy is an incredible musician as well as song writer, we know that from his Sleepy Jackson days, however his artistry as co-founder of Empire Of The Sun is so very impressive. There is no band like this anywhere! Australia is lucky to be able to claim them as our very own.
Two of the best tracks are left to the end, and during ‘Walking On A Dream’ Steele gets closer to the punters in the pit – and they go crazy. The evening ends with the poppy ‘Alive’ from 2013’s ‘Ice On The Dune’ and what a perfect way to wrap things up! The crowd isn’t satisfied and wants an encore, but it is indeed all over.We’ve got to hope they release a new album soon, so they won’t leave us waiting another 6 years to see them.
