Empire of the Sun Transport Halifax Piece Hall to Alternate Dimension with Visual Spectacle [Photos]

Australian electro-rockers Empire of the Sun transported The Piece Hall into an alternate dimension with their euphoric synth-driven anthems and visually stunning show.

Support came from New Zealand’s Beasley brothers, better known as Balu Brigada, with their effortlessly cool indie-rock warming up an already eager audience. Their loose yet energetic style earned them some new fans, and a cover of Grimes “Oblivion” was a nice detour in their set.

All that was left was for the headliners – and boy do Empire of the Sun know how to make an entrance.

A giant screen at the back of the stage burst into life with lightning, and as two masked and bejewelled characters delivered bonsai to the stage, the talismanic Empire of the Sun frontman Luke Steele appeared in full samurai regalia – the first of several elaborate costume changes throughout the night.

They launched into a set that felt like you were part of a communal LSD hallucination, at times transporting you to the Mos Eisley Cantina from Star Wars, or the wastelands of Mad Max – yet somehow every surreal turn was met with delight.

The front row was peppered with fans in full make-up or wearing their own homemade headdresses – 3 of them even made it to the stage for a dance with the band. The crowd was less of an audience and more of a cult following – one that embraces weirdness and revels in the carefree, life-affirming escapism only a show like this can provide.

There were the joyous bops, the full-throated sing-alongs and the heavy as shit instrumental tracks that covered for Luke’s costume changes – and they were all jaw-droppingly magnificent. “We are the People” was the obvious highlight, but the 17-track set had a perfect flow to it and was compelling from start to finish.

The costumes and visuals may have stolen the headlines, but the music was every bit as captivating. The band were razor-sharp throughout, effortlessly shifting from euphoric electro-pop to thunderous instrumental workouts without ever losing momentum. Rather than slowing the pace, the extended musical passages only heightened the anticipation, making each return of Luke Steele feel like the entrance of a mythical character stepping back into the story.

It ranks among the most visually spectacular shows the Piece Hall has hosted. From the opening flash of lightning to the euphoric finale of Alive, the atmosphere never dipped. Every corner of the historic venue was bouncing, singing and grinning, swept up into a joyous, technicolour escape from reality.

Empire of the Sun (w/ Balu Brigada) @ The Piece Hall (Halifax, UK) on June 28th, 2026

16 photos