The fog rolls off the San Francisco Bay, creeps over the hills, and settles into the concrete bowl of the William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre like a ghost. It’s cold. It’s always cold in Berkeley once the sun dips. But then, the lights hit. We aren’t just talking about a few strobe lights here. We’re talking about a full-scale audiovisual assault that makes you forget you’re sitting on a hard stone bench in Northern California. When people talk about Empire of the Sun Berkeley shows, they aren't just reminiscing about a concert. They are talking about a collective fever dream.
Luke Steele stands center stage. He’s wearing a crown that looks like it was stolen from a futuristic Aztec deity. Beside him, Nick Littlemore’s influence pulses through the air, even when he isn't physically on the touring stage, creating that distinct synth-pop wall of sound that defined an entire era of the 2010s.
The Greek Theatre Magic
Why does this specific venue matter so much for this specific band? Honestly, it’s the geometry. The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley is modeled after the ancient theater of Epidaurus. It has this weird, ancient gravity to it. When Empire of the Sun brings their "walking on a dream" aesthetic to a place built for Sophocles, the friction is incredible.
You’ve got the smell of eucalyptus trees mixing with the heavy scent of theatrical fog. It’s a vibe.
Most bands just play a set. Empire of the Sun builds a world. For the Berkeley crowd—a mix of college kids, aging ravers, and tech bros who still have their Coachella 2014 wristbands tucked in a drawer—it’s a homecoming. The band’s history with the Bay Area is deep. They’ve sold out the Greek multiple times, notably during their Ice on the Dune and Two Vines tours, and every time, the energy feels like a religious revival.
What People Get Wrong About the Spectacle
A lot of critics used to dismiss them as "style over substance." They’d look at the backup dancers with their giant sword-shaped headpieces and the intricate digital backdrops and say it’s just fluff. They’re wrong.
Basically, the spectacle is the point.
If you strip away the costumes, you still have "Walking on a Dream," which is objectively one of the most perfectly crafted pop songs of the last twenty years. But when you add the Berkeley atmosphere? It becomes something else. The acoustics of the Greek are legendary. Because it’s an amphitheater carved into a hill, the bass from "Alive" doesn't just hit your ears; it vibrates your actual skeleton.
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I remember a specific moment during one of their Berkeley stops where the wind caught the silk streamers of the dancers. It wasn't planned. It looked like the stage was literally breathing. That’s the "Empire of the Sun Berkeley" experience—the intersection of high-concept Australian pop and the unpredictable elements of the Pacific coast.
The Setlist Evolution
They don't just play the hits and leave. They jam.
- The Opening Salvo: Usually something cinematic like "Lux." It sets the tone. You realize immediately you aren't at a standard indie rock show.
- The Mid-Set Peak: This is where things get weird. Songs like "Swordfish Hotkiss Night" bring out the heavier, glitchier side of their production.
- The Anthem: "High and Low" usually turns the entire Greek Theatre into a singular, jumping mass of humanity.
It’s worth noting that the band’s visual language has changed over the years. Early shows were very DIY-cyberpunk. Later shows, especially the more recent ones following their 2024 resurgence with Ask That God, have become more polished, using high-definition LED arrays that make the Berkeley trees glow in neon pinks and deep teals.
Why Berkeley Always Sells Out
Berkeley is a tough crowd. They’ve seen everyone. From Dylan to Daft Punk, the Greek has hosted legends. So, why does Empire of the Sun keep coming back to a packed house?
It’s the escapism.
In a city defined by intense politics and academic rigor, there is something deeply cathartic about a man in a cape singing about being "halfway round the world" while a dancer in a fish-mask does a contemporary routine. It’s absurd. It’s beautiful. It’s exactly what the East Bay needs on a Tuesday night in September.
Logistics: Surviving the Greek
If you’re planning on catching the next Empire of the Sun Berkeley date—and let's be real, they’ll be back—you need to know the ground rules. This isn't the Chase Center.
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- The Stone Seats: They are brutal. Bring a cushion or a thick blanket. If you don't, your lower back will be screaming by the time the encore hits.
- The Temperature Drop: It can be 75 degrees when you walk in and 50 degrees when you leave. The "Berkeley Chill" is real. Layer up.
- The Parking Nightmare: Don't even try to park near the venue. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley and walk up the hill. It’s a steep climb, but it builds the anticipation. Plus, the walk back down the hill after the show, surrounded by thousands of humming fans, is part of the tradition.
The Cultural Impact of the "Empire" Sound
We have to talk about how influential this sound actually is. Back in 2008, when Walking on a Dream dropped, the landscape was dominated by grit and indie sleaze. Empire of the Sun brought back the "Big Pop" feeling but kept it weird.
In Berkeley, this sound resonated with the burgeoning electronic scene. You can hear the DNA of Empire of the Sun in dozens of acts that have played the Greek since. They bridged the gap between the DJ booth and the rock stage.
The Nuance of Luke Steele’s Performance
Steele is a fascinating frontman. He’s not particularly chatty. He doesn't do the "How you feeling tonight, Berkeley?!" routine every five minutes. He stays in character. There’s a theatrical distance that makes the performance feel like a transmission from another planet. This lack of "normal" stage presence actually makes the connection with the audience stronger. You aren't watching a guy; you’re watching the Emperor.
Comparing the Berkeley Experience to Other Venues
I’ve seen them at festivals. I’ve seen them in standard arenas. It’s not the same.
At a festival like Coachella, they are part of a menu. In Berkeley, they are the entire meal. The enclosed nature of the Greek Theatre focuses the energy. There’s no sound bleed from the Sahara Tent. It’s just you, the trees, and the synth.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Empire of the Sun at the Greek
With their 2024 album Ask That God, the band has entered a new phase. It’s more mature, sure, but it hasn't lost the sparkle. The newer tracks like "Changes" feel tailor-made for the Berkeley acoustics. They have these wide, sweeping choruses that need space to breathe.
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There’s a rumor that their next residency might include even more immersive tech—augmented reality elements that interact with the specific stone structures of the Greek. Whether that happens or not, the core appeal remains the same.
It’s a celebration of the strange.
If you ever get the chance to grab a ticket for Empire of the Sun at this specific venue, do it. Don't think about the price or the parking or the cold. Just go.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
Check the Official Greek Theatre Site Early
Tickets for Empire of the Sun Berkeley shows tend to vanish during the pre-sale phase. Sign up for the Ape Concerts newsletter; they are the primary promoters for the venue and usually drop the codes 24 hours before the general public gets a sniff.
Arrive for the Opener
The Greek has a strict curfew because it’s nestled right against a residential neighborhood. This means the headliner starts earlier than you think. If you show up at 9:00 PM, you’ve probably missed half the show. Aim to be in your seat (or on your patch of concrete) by 7:30 PM.
Dining Near the Venue
Don't eat the venue food unless you really love overpriced hot dogs. Hit up North Shattuck before the show. There are world-class spots like Cheeseboard Pizza or Comal just a short walk or Uber away. Fill up there, then make the trek up the hill.
The "Bowl" vs. The "Benches"
If you want to dance, you have to get into the pit (the "Bowl"). If you want to actually see the production design, the tiered benches are better. For a band as visual as Empire of the Sun, being ten rows back in the center is actually a superior experience to being crushed at the front rail.
Merch Strategy
The line for merch at the Greek is notoriously slow and located in a narrow corridor. If you want that limited edition tour poster, head straight there the moment the gates open. Do not wait until after the show; the Berkeley crowd cleans out the inventory fast.