Empire of the Sun
Theatrical Aussie synth-pop royalty — headdresses, spectacle, and 'Walking on a Dream' euphoria, a duo that treats every festival set as full-scale cinematic ritual.
Empire of the Sun is an Australian duo formed in 2008 by Luke Steele, of The Sleepy Jackson, and Nick Littlemore, of Pnau. Their debut album Walking on a Dream introduced the pair's blend of synth-pop, disco and psychedelic pop, and its title track became their best-known song, followed by 'We Are the People' and later 'Alive'.
The project is inseparable from its visual world: elaborate costumes, headdresses and an invented mythology built around characters the pair adopt in videos and on stage. Live shows are staged productions with dancers and choreography rather than conventional band performances, and the duo has continued releasing albums in the years since their debut.
Festivals Empire of the Sun is playing
Empire of the Sun at a glance
What festivals is Empire of the Sun playing in 2026?
Empire of the Sun is booked at 1 festival: Outside Lands 2026.
Is Empire of the Sun playing Outside Lands 2026?
Yes — Empire of the Sun is on the Outside Lands 2026 lineup, August 7–9, 2026 at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA. They play Sunday, August 9.
Where is Empire of the Sun from?
Empire of the Sun is from Sydney, AU.
What kind of music does Empire of the Sun play?
Empire of the Sun is tagged synth-pop and electro-pop.
What festivals has Empire of the Sun played before?
Empire of the Sun has played Lollapalooza 2026, Osheaga 2026.
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