
Empire of the Sun is an Australian electronic music duo formed in Sydney in 2007 by Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore. Steele had been fronting the alternative rock band The Sleepy Jackson, while Littlemore was one half of electronic dance act PNAU. The two met in 2000 after being introduced in a Sydney bar and spent years collaborating informally before committing to a full project together. Their sound pulls from electropop, synth-pop, dance-rock, and new wave, blending polished electronic production with anthemic vocal hooks that feel built for festival stages.
Their 2008 debut album, Walking on a Dream, broke through in Australia and across Europe. It peaked at number six on the ARIA Albums Chart and earned certifications in six countries, including triple Platinum in Australia and Gold in the United States and United Kingdom. The title track reached number ten in Australia and has since been certified 15 times Platinum by ARIA, making it one of the most successful Australian singles of its era. "We Are the People" topped the German Singles Chart and reached number 14 in the UK. The duo followed with Ice on the Dune in 2013 (peaking at number three in Australia), Two Vines in 2016 (featuring contributions from Lindsey Buckingham and former David Bowie collaborators), and Ask That God in 2024, their first album in eight years.
Empire of the Sun's live shows are built around spectacle. Luke Steele performs in elaborate headdresses, war paint, and costumes inspired by samurai art and Alejandro Jodorowsky's The Holy Mountain, backed by dancers, giant stage graphics, and theatrical lighting. Nick Littlemore focuses on the studio side, handling production and creative direction rather than performing onstage. The duo has headlined the Sahara Tent at Coachella, played Glastonbury, Rock Werchter, Lollapalooza, and the Hollywood Bowl, and their visual approach makes every set feel more like immersive theater than a traditional concert.
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