Dance party? Check. Crazy awesome theatrical costumes? Check. Empire of the Sun taking Chicago’s Congress Theater this past Wednesday evening? Double check. Having missed my last opportunity to see Empire of the Sun at last year’s Lollapalooza there was no way I was missing them again. Having been a fan of this Australian band for a good amount of time now and having seen their music videos I was expecting an elaborate production, and that is just what they gave.  A friend of mine might have put it the best when stating that the bands visual concept is a grown up version of the Power Ranger tv show many of us enjoyed when we were little.

Visuals aside the band also did not disappoint musically which I think is definitely something a band with such a “strong show” often lets fall apart hoping the visuals are enough to distract from the less then perfect sound. That is not the case with this band.  Minus a small sound issue that I feel is always a factor at this venue the crowd didn’t seem to mind. The vocals could have been slightly more prominent but at the same time the majority of the crowd knew the words already and if they didn’t they were dancing and enjoying anyway.

The crowd it self was a mix of the standard electronic music fans mixed with the surprising 9 to 5ers. This shows the bands gaining popularity as a band in addition to the ability to bridge the gap of different fan base genres. All in all this show reaffirmed to me that this band is a good time all around. They are not a band that after a show your life is changed somehow by moving lyrics but you will leave having had a great night. Slightly sore from dancing, visually impressed, and full of energy. They have been touring with many electronic festivals and will be down at Austin City Limits Festivals try and catch a show while they are still touring the U.S.

All photos (c) Daniela Montelongo