Who are Empire of the Sun?
Empire of the Sun is an Australian electronic music duo formed in 2007 by Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore. They are known for the hit Walking on a Dream and their spectacular, costumed live shows.
Steele was the frontman of the Perth band The Sleepy Jackson, and Littlemore was a member of the Sydney electronic group Pnau. They combined their talents to create colourful, dreamlike synth-pop.
Their debut album, Walking on a Dream, released in 2008, was a hit in Australia and Europe. The title track became an international success and has been used in advertising campaigns.
Spectacle
The duo is famous for elaborate costumes, headdresses and visuals, inspired by science fiction and fantasy. Their concerts feature dancers, lighting effects and theatrical stage designs.
Empire of the Sun won several ARIA Awards, including Album of the Year, and later released albums such as Ice on the Dune, Two Vines and Ask That God.
Their song We Are the People was also a major hit. Littlemore often does not tour, so Steele leads live performances with a band and dancers.
Did You Know?
The duo's name comes from the J. G. Ballard novel and Steven Spielberg film Empire of the Sun.