Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore are basically the wizards of modern synth-pop. If you’ve ever been to a festival, you know the vibe: gold headpieces, intricate face paint, and costumes that look like they were stolen from the set of a high-budget sci-fi epic set in a desert kingdom. It’s loud. It’s visual. It’s iconic. But seeing Empire of the Sun without makeup is almost like catching a glimpse of a superhero in their grocery store sweatpants. It changes how you hear the music.
People are obsessed with what's under the hood. There’s this weird, driving curiosity to strip away the "Emperor" and the "Lord" personas to see the two Australian guys who actually write the songs.
The Reality of Empire of the Sun Without Makeup
Honestly, the "unmasked" version of the band isn't some deep, dark secret. Luke Steele, the frontman you usually see decked out in blue face paint and elaborate crowns, is a pretty regular-looking guy from Perth. Without the gear, he’s got a lean, rock-star frame and usually sports a beard or some stubble. He looks like a guy who spends a lot of time in a studio, which is exactly what he does.
Nick Littlemore is even more elusive. While Luke is the face of the band, Nick is often the architect in the shadows. Even when he is "in character," his costumes are sometimes less intrusive than Luke’s. When you see him at a press event or in a candid studio snap without the Empire of the Sun flair, he looks like a seasoned producer—often wearing hats, glasses, or just casual streetwear.
Why do we care so much?
Psychologically, it’s about authenticity. We’ve been conditioned to think that makeup is a "fake" layer. We think that by finding a photo of the band in jeans and t-shirts, we’re seeing the real them. But for Steele and Littlemore, the costumes aren't a disguise. They are an extension of the sound. They’ve gone on record multiple times, including interviews with Rolling Stone and NME, explaining that the visual element is part of the storytelling. Without the makeup, the story isn't finished.
Breaking the "Gimmick" Accusation
A lot of critics early on called the look a gimmick. They compared them to KISS or David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust. But here’s the thing: Bowie wasn't "faking it" when he was Ziggy. He was becoming the music.
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When you see Empire of the Sun without makeup, you notice the shift in energy. There are plenty of videos of Luke Steele performing acoustic sets or guesting with other bands where he is completely "bare-faced." In those moments, the music feels more intimate, sure. It feels like a folk record. But it loses that "Walking on a Dream" grandiosity. The makeup acts as a psychological trigger for the performers. Steele has mentioned that putting on the headpiece is like a ritual. It’s the moment he stops being a dad from the suburbs and starts being a vessel for these massive, psychedelic anthems.
The Visual Evolution Since "Walking on a Dream"
It started in 2008. The world was obsessed with indie-sleaze and synth-pop was making a massive comeback. Walking on a Dream didn't just sound like the future; it looked like a fever dream.
The makeup wasn't just slapped on. They worked with high-end stylists and artists to create a look that felt ancient and futuristic at the same time. Think "Egyptian Pharaoh meets Tron."
- The Blue Period: This was the classic look. Heavy blue pigments, gold accents around the eyes, and the massive headdress.
- The Ice King Look: Later eras saw more silver, white, and crystalline structures.
- The Natural State: This is what fans find most jarring—the rare Instagram posts or behind-the-scenes "making of" documentaries where the paint is half-washed off or totally absent.
Seeing them in the studio is the real kicker. There’s a famous documentary snippet where they are working on tracks for Ice on the Dune. They’re in a room with expensive gear, messy cables everywhere, and they're just wearing hoodies. It’s a stark contrast to the Coachella stage. It reminds you that these "gods" are actually just craftsmen.
The Toll of the Persona
It’s not easy being an Emperor. Wearing that much theatrical makeup under stage lights that reach 100 degrees is a nightmare for the skin.
Steele has talked about the physical exhaustion of the transformation. It takes hours. While other bands are having a beer backstage, Empire of the Sun is in a makeup chair. This is probably why, in recent years, we've seen slightly more of Empire of the Sun without makeup in their social media presence. They’ve become more comfortable showing the "human" side of the project.
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It’s also worth noting that the band has had its fair share of friction. Nick Littlemore famously didn't tour with the band for long stretches of time. During those years, Luke carried the visual weight of the band almost entirely on his own. When you see Luke solo, without the makeup, you see the weight of that responsibility. He’s an artist who cares deeply about the "purity" of the image, even if it’s physically taxing to maintain.
Where to Find the "Real" Luke and Nick
If you’re looking for the most authentic view of the men behind the curtain, you have to look at their side projects.
- The Sleepy Jackson: This was Luke’s band before Empire. No makeup. Lots of denim. Very different vibe.
- Pnau: Nick’s other massive project. While still flamboyant, it’s much more "club kid" and less "intergalactic deity."
- Studio Sessions: Search for their "Making of" videos on YouTube. There is a great one for the album Two Vines where you see them in Hawaii, just hanging out, looking like tourists.
The contrast is wild. In Hawaii, they look like two guys who might sell you a surfboard. On stage, they look like they could command the tides.
Why the "No Makeup" Look Rarely Happens on Stage
Fans often ask: "Will they ever do an unplugged tour without the costumes?"
Probably not.
The brand is too tied to the aesthetic. If Empire of the Sun walked out in flannels, the audience would feel cheated. We pay for the spectacle. We pay for the escapism. In a world that is increasingly drab and "authentic" in a boring way, Empire of the Sun provides a necessary dose of theater.
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Think about the lyrics to "Alive" or "High and Low." They are soaring, emotional, and slightly nonsensical. They don't belong in a dive bar. They belong in a palace. The makeup creates the palace.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan of the band or an artist trying to build your own brand, there are some real lessons to be learned from how Steele and Littlemore handle their image.
- Separate the Artist from the Human: It’s okay to have a "work uniform" that is 100 times more intense than your daily life. It helps with mental boundaries.
- Consistency is King: They didn't half-ass the look. They went all in, which is why the brand survived for nearly two decades.
- The "Reveal" is a Tool: Use the moments of being unmasked sparingly. It makes them more impactful. When Luke Steele posts a photo of himself in a normal hat, it gets more engagement because it feels like a "behind the scenes" secret.
- Focus on the Craft First: The makeup wouldn't matter if "We Are the People" wasn't a masterpiece of a song. The visuals enhance the music; they don't replace it.
If you want to see the "real" Empire of the Sun, don't just look for a photo of them at a grocery store. Look at the way they interact in the studio when the cameras aren't polished. The music is the most honest thing about them, regardless of how much blue paint is on their foreheads.
To really get the full experience of the band, you should compare their live concert films—where the makeup is a character in itself—with their early acoustic radio sessions. You’ll hear the same soul in the voice, but you’ll understand why they chose to put the mask on in the first place. It’s not about hiding; it’s about becoming something bigger than a person.
Check out the "Two Vines" documentary for the best balance of their professional personas and their casual, unmasked selves. It’s the closest you’ll get to seeing the gears turn in the Empire.