Empire of the Sun returns to North America with the band’s largest tour to date and a reimagined live show following their sold-out Ask That God 2025 world tour. The last we saw of the Emperor he was finding his own redemption — now fans are invited to step into the next chapter with Ask That God: Afterlife 2026.
This tour presents the live show as the final installment of the Ask That God journey, where the story continues and new frontiers unfold. Expanding on the universe introduced in their latest album, the reimagined show is a celebration of imagination, transformation, and connection in a rapidly changing world.
The 30+ headlining tour kicks off in August and will include a stop in Cincinnati, OH at Riverbend Music Center on Sunday, August 23. Polo & Pan and breakout electro-funk band Midnight Generation will support on all headline dates.
Leading up to today’s announcement was a cryptic teaser of Luke Steele with “AFTERLIFE 26” written across his chest, delivering a message that hinted at what was to come: “Take this new music and tour to new frontiers…”
ASK THAT GOD TOUR: AFTERLIFE
NOSTALGIA IS THE DRUG OF THE FUTURE
“It feels like a very pivotal time,” says Luke Steele. “We have a new song to sing, we have to step into a new doorway — a new chapter. The world is changing. It feels like a revolution in the world and we have to unite. Love is the power weapon.”
For Empire of the Sun, Afterlife represents that doorway. At the center of the experience stands the Emperor, moving through the shifting landscape and guiding the journey forward. The live show becomes a place where sound, imagination and human connection come together — a reminder that even in a changing world, unity and creativity remain powerful forces.
Afterlife invites fans to step into that moment together — a celebration of imagination, connection and the power of music to unite.
“Ask That God: Afterlife feels like a tour of unknowns and possibilities — new visions, new plateaus, fragile breakthroughs. I think things are going to happen on this tour that have never happened before.
We can’t wait to take this music and this tour to new frontiers. Let’s break barriers together.” - Luke Steele
Ask That God Tour: Afterlife takes its name from 2024’s Ask That God, which debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Dance Albums chart – Empire of the Sun’s fourth studio album to rank in the tally’s top 10. SPIN said, “Ask That God’s production is tight and its message optimistic, with the aim of universal connectivity.” Clash hailed it as “a journey in every sense providing enough density and style changes to keep listeners intrigued to the very end.” Observed office Magazine, “With themes of surrender and the search for divine guidance, Ask That God emerges as a response to uncomfortable times, a call to look beyond worldly answers and instead ask the divine.”
Empire of the Sun’s 2025 global tour spanned over 22 countries, more than nine festivals and a collective audience of over 220,000, with 110,000 tickets sold in the U.S. and over 40,000 tickets sold in Mexico. Naming their set as one of the top performances at ACL Fest 2025, the Austin American-Statesman said, “Empire of the Sun turned ACL into a neon daydream – equal parts mystic ritual and Tumblr-era revival…” Westword praised the group as “one of the most distinctive acts in modern electronic music” in this photo recap of their sold-out Red Rocks performance. Noted tmrw, “An Empire of the Sun concert isn’t just a concert; it’s a sonic and visual spectacle that feels like stepping into another world.”
ABOUT EMPIRE OF THE SUN
Empire of the Sun is one of Australia's most visionary music projects, created by Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore. Since their landmark album debut Walking On A Dream-featuring global anthems "Walking On A Dream" and "We Are The People," Empire of the Sun has captivated millions with its euphoric fusion of electronic pop and surreal performance.
Follow-up albums Ice on the Dune and Two Vines delivered fan favorites like “Alive,” “DNA,” “High and Low” and “Way to Go,” alongside landmark performances at festivals including Coachella, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits. After an eight-year hiatus, 2024’s Ask That God marked a bold new chapter, led by singles such as “Changes,” “Music on the Radio” and “Cherry Blossom,” and supported by a brand-new, sold-out world tour.
With more than five million albums sold, six billion streams, eight ARIA Awards, and two APRA Awards, Empire of the Sun stands as a global cultural force. Their debut album Walking on a Dream achieved triple Platinum in Australia, and Platinum and Gold certification in both the UK and the USA.
