Empire of the Sun

Photography by Sam Wilson

EMPIRE OF THE SUN LIGHTS UP BIRMINGHAM ON THE ASK THAT GOD: AFTERLIFE TOUR

September 12, 2026- Empire of the Sun brought their immersive live production to Birmingham, Alabama, performing at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater as part of their Ask That God: Afterlife North American Tour. Led by Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore, the Australian electronic duo delivered a high energy performance that combined electronic music, theatrical production, elaborate visuals, and a setlist spanning multiple eras of their career. From the moment the show began, the production established an atmosphere that felt much larger than a traditional concert. The stage design created an immersive environment around the performers, with lighting, video elements, and carefully timed production cues working together throughout the set. The visuals shifted alongside the music, creating a constantly changing backdrop that kept the audience engaged from the opening song through the finale. Steele commanded the stage throughout the night, bringing his distinctive vocals and theatrical presence to the performance. His energy was matched by the production surrounding him, with dramatic lighting sequences and vibrant visual effects helping emphasize the mood of each song. The combination of the stage design and Steele’s performance gave the show a theatrical quality while still allowing the music to remain at the center of the experience. Another standout element was Steele’s wardrobe and the series of costume changes throughout the performance. His different looks added another layer to the visual storytelling of the show, with each change helping create a new feeling as the set progressed. The costumes, lighting, and stage design worked together to create a performance that felt carefully constructed from beginning to end rather than simply a collection of songs. The performance featured songs including “The Thrill,” “Half Mast,” and “We Are the People,” with each track bringing a different energy to the set. “The Thrill” brought a driving electronic pulse to the evening, while “Half Mast” created a more atmospheric moment. “We Are the People” became one of the night’s biggest crowd moments, with fans singing along to one of Empire of the Sun’s most recognizable tracks. The lighting became especially effective during the larger, more energetic portions of the set. Beams moved across the amphitheater while the stage shifted between dramatic and colorful visual sequences, complementing the electronic production without overwhelming the performances. The transitions between songs also felt seamless, allowing the show to maintain its momentum while moving through different musical and visual styles. The set continued with “Desire,” “Changes,” “Old Flavours,” “Cherry Blossom,” “Television,” “Awakening,” “High and Low,” “Music on the Radio,” “Revolve,” and “Swordfish Hotkiss Night.” Later in the performance, the duo continued with “Two Vines,” “Celebrate,” and “Ask That God,” bringing newer material into a set that balanced the group’s current era with songs that have defined their sound over the years. As the night moved toward its conclusion, “I’ll Be Around” and “Walking on a Dream” gave fans another opportunity to experience two standout moments from Empire of the Sun’s catalog. “Walking on a Dream” created a particularly memorable connection between the band’s earlier work and the expansive live production they have developed throughout their career. The song’s recognizable sound, combined with the lighting and visuals filling the stage, made it one of the evening’s most memorable performances. The duo returned for an encore featuring “Tiger by My Side” before closing the night with “Alive.” The finale brought the production back to its highest energy level, giving the Birmingham crowd one last opportunity to experience the combination of music, lighting, costumes, and visuals that had defined the evening. Empire of the Sun’s Birmingham performance demonstrated why their live shows are about more than simply hearing the songs performed onstage. Every element, from the music and lighting to the stage design and Steele’s evolving costumes, contributed to an immersive concert experience. The duo successfully blended their electronic sound with theatrical presentation, creating a performance that gave longtime fans familiar favorites while introducing newer material in a visually engaging way. For fans considering attending an upcoming date on the Ask That God: Afterlife North American Tour, the Birmingham performance offered a strong example of the expansive production Empire of the Sun has brought to the road. With a setlist filled with recognizable favorites, newer material, elaborate visuals, dynamic lighting, and Steele’s unmistakable stage presence, the show provided an energetic and visually memorable night for Birmingham audiences.