Live Review: EMPIRE OF THE SUN - Ask That God North American Tour

4/28/2025

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Radius Chicago
Thursday - April 24, 2025

Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore of Empire of the Sun, currently on their "Ask That God Tour', with a stop in Chicago at Radius.
And even on a weekday night, the faithful, known as Empyreans, came out in droves, and early, hours before the doors opened.
And they dressed up in razzle dazzle style, to express their overall mood and excitement of getting up close on the main floor to equal the otherworldy party atmosphere that encompasses Empire of the Sun performing live.
Can't blame them, since it seems like years and years since we've seen them together performing in the states.
And as for the show-
It sparkles.
It levitates.
It never feels old or outdated or awkward, that being Luke's Kubuki style of clothing, let alone ever elaborate headgear.
In the wrong hands, this kind of aesthetic could come off schmaltzy, or fake, or dialed in.
Not these guys.

Proud to perform, proud to be who they want to be, proud to present themselves as fantastical and divine.
And it works on so many levels.
First off, history and thought in mind before proceeding on anything above the great beyond, presented with flash and grace.
Look at the word Kabuki for instance- a historical form of Japanese Theatre, encompassing dramatic performance along with traditional dance.

So right there, you know they've done their homework, with backdrops and a set that is striking and bold, followed by a gigantic backdrop LED screen display, with vivid graphics thought out to a storyline involving 4 acts, presented with honesty, and also attention to detail.
So the show, all amped and elevated, focusing on their latest release of course, "Ask That God", with some 6 or 7 songs on full display, including openers "Changes", followed by "The Feeling You Get".
And the overall appeal from anything "Ask That God" related- equal to the overall appeal and mood of past nuggets, specifically the magnificent "We Are the People", and of course "Walking on a Dream".
Such fun throughout, both raptured audience, let alone Luke and Nick trading smiles and enjoying themselves in this whole experience.

The feelings you get, seeing them perform live once again....they took their time to get where they are to the present day, finding out more about themselves, exploring solo projects, waiting patiently for the right time to pursue anything new, anything that is challenging, and to go from there.
Nothing pushed or left uneasy.
You can tell that speaks volumes, simply by their camaraderie and overall demeanor.
Their fanbase certainly knows as well- from the pit on the main floor, looking out at the crowd- all smiles, all dancing in place, ever enthusiastic throughout, troubles certainly left behind, at least for a few hours.

This whole experience with Empire of the Sun- universal revelry, a sonic and visual spectacle that wraps you in a soothing warm blanket, invites you in, fusing fantasy and reality all at once.
That's the truth to a magnificent production of this kind, where Luke and Nick fuse their fantastical dreams and ideas and make it reality.
And so it goes on from there, each of the four acts displaying different moods followed by costume changes, ever releasing layers of clothing throughout, if for anything the temperature certainly was dialed up from hot to hotter still.
No matter- Empire of the Sun was not letting back whatsoever, music and technology and sweat transcending at a breakneck pace, audience to band, band to audience.
Have to say this show was timeless in appeal and mood and presented in such a way as to a higher plane of hyper reality. realizing afterwards that with so much going on, some parts were probably sorely missed.
No matter- the astral wizardry of Empire of the Sun has released the endorphins needed to soldier on, ever present in the present day, and hoping the friendship and partnership of Luke and Nick will continue as well, rest assured that their rabid fan base is ready willing and able to come along for the ride.
But as for now- how do you top this spectacle?
The answer-
Stay current. Their isn't one.
Embrace this current incarnation, don't worry and think about future plans.
This show with Empire of the Sun- one of the highlights of the year for me.
So so good live and in person.
Lots of stops left on this North American Tour, heading to Colorado by all things the West Coast, before heading southeast and up the Atlantic Coast by late May.
A show not to be missed.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Empire of the Sun, Radius, Chicago, Live Music, JBTV Music Television, Luke Steele, Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Jerry Bryant

0 Comments

THE JBTV BLOG

Live Review: EMPIRE OF THE SUN - Ask That God North American Tour

Empire of the Sun, Radius, Chicago, Live Music, JBTV Music Television, Luke Steele, Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Jerry Bryant

Leave a Reply.

Categories

Archives

BLOG STAFF

Bobby Talamine

FIZA JAVID

Erika Force