Parklife, Adelaide, 5 Oct 2009
Empire of the Sun's approach to presentation certainly precedes them. Out-of-this-world press shots and music videos sprinkled with galaxies and glitter have characterised the band as something completely different. It came as no surprise, then, that this live show was adorned with a similar fantasia: dancers in a skin-tight silver one-piece, swordfish headdress and dancing that bordered on contortion. Frontman Luke Steele appeared on stage as though some otherworldly Emperor, commanding the exultation of those before him.
Empire's run of gigs at the Parklife festival - their first live shows - was long-awaited, but in the absence of Nick Littlemore, the show was missing half of the magic. As a one-man band, Steele managed to create a sound not far off the album, but it was clear that there were hints of lacklustre in this performance.
Fantastic visuals and numerous costume changes for Steele filled the camp expectation of EotS, but it is a crying shame that for a band with such growing popularity, the fans' thirst for live shows following a stellar album was only to be diminished.
