Empire of the Sun Turns a Rainy Miami Night Into a Technicolor Dream
Updated: Sep 27
All images by Larry Marano
Miami’s skyline had competition on September 16. At FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park, Empire of the Sun brought the Ask That God: Afterlife tour to the waterfront for a night of soaring synths, extravagant visuals and pop songs big enough to meet the horizon.
Midnight Generation opened with a dose of disco funk, giving the evening its first irresistible pulse. Polo & Pan followed, shifting the mood toward a sleek electronic dance party. By the time Empire of the Sun took the stage, the night had built from groove to full blown spectacle.
Frontman Luke Steele commanded a production filled with striking costumes, choreography and color. Yet the visual ambition never swallowed the songs. “We Are the People” and “Walking on a Dream” sounded made for an open sky, their bright melodies carrying a warmth that matched the Miami setting. Newer material found its place alongside the familiar favorites, while “Alive” gave the night a fitting burst of exhilaration.
Rain eventually joined the show, adding another layer of drama to the lights and music. It was the sort of weather that could have sent an outdoor concert off course. Here, it made the scene feel even more cinematic.
Across three acts, the bill offered different ways to get lost in a rhythm. Empire of the Sun provided the final destination: a vivid, joyful escape that lingered long after the lights went down.
Empire of the Sun:
Midnight Generation:
Polo & Pan:
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