EMPIRE OF THE SUN ANNOUNCE HEADLINE HALIFAX DATE

Get ready for some massive news. The legendary Australian duo Empire of the Sun are heading to Halifax for a huge outdoor show this summer. Known for their mind-blowing live performances that are part concert, part fantasy epic, this is a rare chance to see one of the world's most unique bands right here in Yorkshire. The electronic luminaries are bringing their massive global tour to the UK, and they've chosen a very special venue for one of only three UK dates. This isn't just another gig announcement; it's an invitation to another world, and it's happening on Sunday, 28th June 2026.

A summer of music just got even bigger

The summer schedule for TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall was already looking packed, but this latest addition is a showstopper. Empire of the Sun will be headlining the historic venue as part of their highly anticipated 2026 Ask That God Tour. For a band that sells out arenas and headlines festivals all over the world, seeing them in the stunning open-air courtyard of The Piece Hall is going to be something else entirely. This stop in Halifax is one of just three exclusive UK dates, making it a golden ticket for fans across the north. The tour itself is a colossal undertaking, marking the duo's big return to Europe and the UK after six long years, with over 20 dates scheduled across the continent.

So, what's the big deal about Empire of the Sun?

If someone hasn't heard of them, they've almost certainly heard their music. The duo, made up of the creative minds of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore, are famous for building an entire empire of sound and vision. Think of them less as a band and more as architects of a musical fantasy world. Their live performances are legendary, blending spectacular visuals with theatrical flair and a production scale that feels larger than life. It’s a full-on sensory experience that blurs the line between a concert and a dream. Their impressive discography includes four studio albums that have earned them billions of streams. Songs like 'Walking On A Dream' became the soundtrack for a generation, and their music has a way of feeling both nostalgic and futuristic at the same time. These electronic luminaries don't just write songs; they craft entire universes filled with imagination and existential themes.

The 2026 'Ask That God' tour

This massive global tour is in support of their latest album, Ask That God, which was released in 2024. It was their first new album in eight years, and it was clear fans were ready for it, as it's already gathered more than 500 million global streams. The album continues their tradition of mixing deep, existential themes with catchy, imaginative synth-pop. The 2026 Ask That God Tour is set to be an even bigger spectacle than their last one. Their previous tour in 2025 was a landmark global event, with sold-out shows everywhere from North America to Europe. They played at iconic venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and hit up major festivals like Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza. The success of that tour, with countless sold-out dates, just goes to show the massive global appeal of Empire of the Sun. This new tour promises to take their incredible production and visuals to a whole new level for audiences across Europe.

A special night in Halifax

Choosing to play in Halifax shows just how special The Piece Hall has become as a music venue. It's a Grade I listed Georgian cloth hall, the only one of its kind left in the world. Its grand, open-air courtyard provides a backdrop that feels like it was made for a band like Empire of the Sun, whose whole vibe is about creating a sense of wonder and fantasy. The combination of their futuristic visuals and the venue's historic architecture is going to be unforgettable. The CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL FRSA, is just as excited as the fans.

“This is a real dream come true for me, and I can’t wait to welcome one of my favourite bands to so many people’s favourite venue! It’s another amazing coup for The Piece Hall securing these global stars for their only northern show in the UK in our world class venue. Their gigs are renowned for having the wow factor when it comes to visuals. Combine that with their emotional yet uplifting electronic sound and our uniquely beautiful backdrop and for me this could be the night of summer.”

The full Piece Hall summer line-up

The addition of Empire of the Sun brings the total number of shows for TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall to a whopping 38, and there are still more to be announced. The line-up is seriously diverse, with something for pretty much everyone. Here's who else is playing in summer 2026.

• JUN 6: SHED SEVEN + SEB LOWE + THE GUEST LIST

• JUN 11: MADNESS + HOLLIE COOK + THE SKINTS

• JUN 12: MADNESS + HOLLIE COOK + THE SKINTS

• JUN 13: EMBRACE + IDLEWILD + THE HAZY JANES

• JUN 14: PAUL WELLER

• JUN 16: SKUNK ANANSIE + GARBAGE

• JUN 17: THE BEACH BOYS + 10cc

• JUN 18: AMY MACDONALD + THE CORAL + NATHAN EVANS + SAINT PHNX

• JUN 19: THE KOOKS

• JUN 20: ETHEL CAIN

• JUN 21: BELLE AND SEBASTIAN + SAINT ETIENNE

• JUN 23: MCFLY + TWIN ATLANTIC + REMEMBER MONDAY

• JUN 24: MCFLY + TWIN ATLANTIC + REMEMBER MONDAY

• JUN 25: ROYEL OTIS

• JUN 28: EMPIRE OF THE SUN

• JUN 30: BOWLING FOR SOUP

• JUL 4: JAMES ARTHUR

• JUL 5: DAVID GRAY + THE DIVINE COMEDY

• JUL 8: DEACON BLUE + LIGHTNING SEEDS

• JUL 9: DEACON BLUE + LIGHTNING SEEDS

• JUL 10: BILLY OCEAN + MARTI PELLOW

• JUL 11: SEX PISTOLS + THE UNDERTONES + PANIC SHACK

• JUL 12: BILLY OCEAN + MARTI PELLOW

• JUL 16: JAMES TAYLOR + HIS ALL-STAR BAND

• JUL 17: CMAT

• JUL 19: ALEX JAMES’ BRITPOP CLASSICAL

• JUL 23: THE FLAMING LIPS + THE BETA BAND

• JUL 25: TOM JONES + STONE FOUNDATION

• JUL 26: TOM GRENNAN

• JUL 31: GARY NEWMAN + LADYTRON

• AUG 1: OPETH + PARADISE LOST + KATATONIA

• AUG 8: THE K’S

• AUG 9: SCISSOR SISTERS

• AUG 14: JIMMY EAT WORLD + RISE AGAINST + THE GET UP KIDS

• AUG 15: HOLLY JOHNSON + ABC + HEAVEN 17

• AUG 21: THE WOMBATS

• AUG 22: HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES + THE DAMNED

• AUG 28: BASTILLE + CARPETMAN

All the tour dates across Europe

For any dedicated members of the Empire planning a trip, here is the full list of dates for the European leg of the tour. The Halifax show is neatly tucked in among some other huge dates in the UK and Ireland, proving just how significant this visit is.

• May 31 - Unity Arena - Oslo, Norway

• June 1 - Gröna Lund Tivoli - Stockholm, Sweden

• June 3 - Liseberg Tivoli - Gothenburg, Sweden

• June 4 - Northside Festival - Viby, Denmark

• June 6 - Letnia Scena Progresji - Warsaw, Poland

• June 7 - Budapest Park - Budapest, Hungary

• June 10 - SRC Šalata - Zagreb, Croatia

• June 11 - Open Air Corner Luka Beograd - Belgrade, Serbia

• June 13 - Vidas Art Arena - Sofia, Bulgaria

• June 14 - Arenele Romane - Bucharest, Romania

• June 16 - Arena Open Air - Vienna, Austria

• June 18 - ZOA City - Zurich, Switzerland

• June 19 - Southside Festival - Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany

• June 21 - Hurricane Festival - Scheeßel, Germany

• June 23 - TK Maxx Presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle- Cardiff, United Kingdom

• June 27 - Alexandra Palace - London, United Kingdom

• June 28 - TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall - Halifax, United Kingdom

• June 30 - Fairview Park - Dublin, Ireland

• July 3 - Down The Rabbit Hole - Ewijk, Netherlands

• July 4 - Le Zenith - Paris, France

• July 5 - Rockhal - Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg