Comments on: How to Alienate Your Fans and Come Across as an Arrogant Bastard: Empire of the Sun @ Foreshore ’09 Review http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/ Escaping within the mind, one level at a time Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:19:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ronnet213 http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3592 Ronnet213 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:35:09 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-3592 Wow pretty incredible fan haha^ But Caroline seems to be right. I agree when she says that Luke was nervous when EOTS started playing live, I guess because they're so much bigger than The Sleepy Jackson ones ever were. Plus they weren't as internationally known. A more intense famousness now then he was before, you know what I mean?  I just saw a recenter video of EOTS live and Luke definitely is more interactive with the crowd than he was at first. He came down and let some people sing (ahem, scream) into the mic, and then said they were good XD He also seems to be more comfortable on the stage, even with the crazy outfits haha Which are pretty cool ;)  "being shaped not by society but imagination" hahaha this describes him perfectly  I really want to see Empire of the Sun live now. Anyway all the other reviews are positive so I think it will be worth it. Btw I also think EOTS has lots of potential. Wow pretty incredible fan haha^

But Caroline seems to be right. I agree when she says that Luke was nervous when EOTS started playing live, I guess because they’re so much bigger than The Sleepy Jackson ones ever were. Plus they weren’t as internationally known. A more intense famousness now then he was before, you know what I mean? 

I just saw a recenter video of EOTS live and Luke definitely is more interactive with the crowd than he was at first. He came down and let some people sing (ahem, scream) into the mic, and then said they were good XD
He also seems to be more comfortable on the stage, even with the crazy outfits haha
Which are pretty cool ;) 

“being shaped not by society but imagination” hahaha this describes him perfectly 

I really want to see Empire of the Sun live now. Anyway all the other reviews are positive so I think it will be worth it. Btw I also think EOTS has lots of potential.

]]> By: Caroline http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3499 Caroline Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:02:55 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-3499 And damn right I've followed his career! And damn right I’ve followed his career!

]]> By: Caroline http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3498 Caroline Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:58:13 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-3498 Ignoring this was written 2 years ago, we just want to put our opinion out there rather than change your opinion particularly. I still completely disagree with your opinion, that Luke is "an arrogant bastard." You must expect a band's first year of performance to not be the strongets act of any festival, that of which can be observed with EotS, but now look at the band, and how amazing it has come since. It happened with almost all bands. I think you understand that now. His photo policy is one many, many celebreties hold as well. It's to keep privacy, and form having thousands of photos of you on the Internet. Celebreties understand that with their career comes that risk, and so try to keep it to a minimal. Luke, in fact, does take pictures now and then with fans. I know some people who have had their photo taken with him. I advise you to someday see another Empire performance, this time I'm sure it will blow you away. It has grown in sync with the fan population growing, and so the live shows are amazing. Breathtaking. Luke has come to really get into the whole thing, and now always comes into contact with the crowd at performances and isn't as nervous. As for his 'Emperor Steele'persona, Nick Littlemore's 'Lord Littlemore' persona, and the fans' 'Empyrean' personas, it is _fun_. Why do what every other band does? Why not be different for a change and pour imagination into the band? It gives EotS much more potential. It can write stories to go with it, do an opera if it wanted. It's much more than the average band, and should be respected for it. Ignoring this was written 2 years ago, we just want to put our opinion out there rather than change your opinion particularly.
I still completely disagree with your opinion, that Luke is “an arrogant bastard.”
You must expect a band’s first year of performance to not be the strongets act of any festival, that of which can be observed with EotS, but now look at the band, and how amazing it has come since. It happened with almost all bands. I think you understand that now.
His photo policy is one many, many celebreties hold as well. It’s to keep privacy, and form having thousands of photos of you on the Internet. Celebreties understand that with their career comes that risk, and so try to keep it to a minimal. Luke, in fact, does take pictures now and then with fans. I know some people who have had their photo taken with him.

I advise you to someday see another Empire performance, this time I’m sure it will blow you away. It has grown in sync with the fan population growing, and so the live shows are amazing. Breathtaking. Luke has come to really get into the whole thing, and now always comes into contact with the crowd at performances and isn’t as nervous.

As for his ‘Emperor Steele’persona, Nick Littlemore’s ‘Lord Littlemore’ persona, and the fans’ ‘Empyrean’ personas, it is _fun_.
Why do what every other band does? Why not be different for a change and pour imagination into the band? It gives EotS much more potential. It can write stories to go with it, do an opera if it wanted.

It’s much more than the average band, and should be respected for it.

]]> By: Will Ooi http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3191 Will Ooi Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:06:13 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-3191 Happy Easter and thanks for the comment =) Please keep in mind that this review was written almost two years ago and I really don't understand why several of you die hard fans have since been trying to convince me that what we experienced was somehow incorrect. You might not agree, but this is what we felt at that concert - 'we' as in pretty much all of us, the hundreds of people in attendance - and none of us turned up and wanted to see a bad performance. If he engages the crowd now and 'conquered Coachella' this year, then great! It still doesn't change Foreshore 09, nor other people's opinions that he is an arrogant megalomaniac who also, apparently, now has a 'no photos with fans policy'. Just google those. And, by the way, he did indeed fire his brother. Again, google. EotS were by far the weakest act on offer at that entire festival as far as the transition from recordings to live performances goes, and we'd waited in anticipation for hours in advance and missed out on other bands, only to be left with a cold feeling of disillusionment having looked forward to seeing them in the flesh as fans of the music. Maybe it was to do with crowd expectation and how the 'Emperor Steele' pretentious persona you describe completely rubbed us up the wrong way, and perhaps being the huge headline act amongst other bands that actively engaged the audience all throughout the day didn't help, but my opinion from back then still stands. It's obvious that you are a huge fan and you've followed his career closely, so good for you - I admire the passion - but we certainly didn't enjoy it even though we really wanted to, and even now in hindsight the arrogance truly was something to behold. Happy Easter and thanks for the comment =)

Please keep in mind that this review was written almost two years ago and I really don’t understand why several of you die hard fans have since been trying to convince me that what we experienced was somehow incorrect. You might not agree, but this is what we felt at that concert – ‘we’ as in pretty much all of us, the hundreds of people in attendance – and none of us turned up and wanted to see a bad performance. If he engages the crowd now and ‘conquered Coachella’ this year, then great! It still doesn’t change Foreshore 09, nor other people’s opinions that he is an arrogant megalomaniac who also, apparently, now has a ‘no photos with fans policy’. Just google those. And, by the way, he did indeed fire his brother. Again, google.

EotS were by far the weakest act on offer at that entire festival as far as the transition from recordings to live performances goes, and we’d waited in anticipation for hours in advance and missed out on other bands, only to be left with a cold feeling of disillusionment having looked forward to seeing them in the flesh as fans of the music. Maybe it was to do with crowd expectation and how the ‘Emperor Steele’ pretentious persona you describe completely rubbed us up the wrong way, and perhaps being the huge headline act amongst other bands that actively engaged the audience all throughout the day didn’t help, but my opinion from back then still stands. It’s obvious that you are a huge fan and you’ve followed his career closely, so good for you – I admire the passion – but we certainly didn’t enjoy it even though we really wanted to, and even now in hindsight the arrogance truly was something to behold.

]]> By: Caroline http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-3181 Caroline Sat, 23 Apr 2011 05:20:53 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-3181 Wow this is really negative! I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but really, this just doesn't make sense. The interaction Luke has with the crowd may have been weak at this performance but recently Empire's live shows have been great with connecting with the crowd. The Coachella one this year was interactive and he said in between some songs "how is everyone tonight" and "thank you all for coming out" Well the performance described in this site is one of the Empire's early live shows. I read on this site: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/luke-steele-not-fazed-by-fans_1141020 that Luke doesn't pay attention to his fans when playing live. This is what happened at this Canberra performance described in the post. Empire of the Sun has grown to a much larger extent than the Sleepy Jackson ever did so really this has all been new to Luke- the enormous crowds, the lights and beats so loud; it's very different compared to when he played live for the Sleepys. Of course he'll be ten times more nervous and will focus more so he doesn't mess up!! but now that he's toured a couple years now live with the Empire, it's easier for him I think and now there's an evident connection he makes with the crowd. He portrayed the connection big time at Coachella this year- read ant latest news about Empire and you'll read that they totally conquered Coachella. And yeah Luke has to play the part of being an emperor. He's Emperor Steele for God's sake. He's not trying to have a huge ego. And the people he "fired" during the Sleepys? No, they LEFT the band because they didn't like the songs Luke was writing because the songs portrayed good vs. evil more like because Luke was becoming close with Hod. He tried to get everyone away from the whole sex drugs rock n roll thing- the Sleepys were really heavy with that all. Plus Like was the only one actually doing anything for the band, all the others just used it as the excuse for traveling and getting drunk. it was a past-time for them, not a career like it was for Luke (he wrote the melodies, lyrics, and harmonies, no one else did.)  And mind you, that the second album, Personality, being "mediocre" was not the result of any band members leaving. They never did anything but play the parts they were given to play. The change of the Sleepys music was not changed by them leaving because they never even contributed to the project. The second album was the result of Luke becoming a holy man and in the end he realized the songs were a lot about God all the change that went on.  Personally, I think Personality was a much better album than Lovers. lovers was a very expirimental album whilst Personality was the one that really set their tone.  I know Luke's damn strange but that's the result of growing up in Perth, Australia, what was then a small town, being shaped not by society but imagination. Luke's a great guy; loves his family, loves his job, loves God. He puts everything into music. His music is unique, music is a part of him, and so he is unique. People like him you just respect. Wow this is really negative! I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but really, this just doesn’t make sense. The interaction Luke has with the crowd may have been weak at this performance but recently Empire’s live shows have been great with connecting with the crowd. The Coachella one this year was interactive and he said in between some songs “how is everyone tonight” and “thank you all for coming out”
Well the performance described in this site is one of the Empire’s early live shows. I read on this site:

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/luke-steele-not-fazed-by-fans_1141020

that Luke doesn’t pay attention to his fans when playing live. This is what happened at this Canberra performance described in the post. Empire of the Sun has grown to a much larger extent than the Sleepy Jackson ever did so really this has all been new to Luke- the enormous crowds, the lights and beats so loud; it’s very different compared to when he played live for the Sleepys. Of course he’ll be ten times more nervous and will focus more so he doesn’t mess up!! but now that he’s toured a couple years now live with the Empire, it’s easier for him I think and now there’s an evident connection he makes with the crowd. He portrayed the connection big time at Coachella this year- read ant latest news about Empire and you’ll read that they totally conquered Coachella.
And yeah Luke has to play the part of being an emperor. He’s Emperor Steele for God’s sake. He’s not trying to have a huge ego. And the people he “fired” during the Sleepys? No, they LEFT the band because they didn’t like the songs Luke was writing because the songs portrayed good vs. evil more like because Luke was becoming close with Hod. He tried to get everyone away from the whole sex drugs rock n roll thing- the Sleepys were really heavy with that all. Plus Like was the only one actually doing anything for the band, all the others just used it as the excuse for traveling and getting drunk. it was a past-time for them, not a career like it was for Luke (he wrote the melodies, lyrics, and harmonies, no one else did.) 
And mind you, that the second album, Personality, being “mediocre” was not the result of any band members leaving. They never did anything but play the parts they were given to play. The change of the Sleepys music was not changed by them leaving because they never even contributed to the project. The second album was the result of Luke becoming a holy man and in the end he realized the songs were a lot about God all the change that went on. 
Personally, I think Personality was a much better album than Lovers. lovers was a very expirimental album whilst Personality was the one that really set their tone. 
I know Luke’s damn strange but that’s the result of growing up in Perth, Australia, what was then a small town, being shaped not by society but imagination.
Luke’s a great guy; loves his family, loves his job, loves God. He puts everything into music. His music is unique, music is a part of him, and so he is unique. People like him you just respect.

]]> By: HanneOfNorway http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-1567 HanneOfNorway Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:45:20 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-1567 Well, that's what happens when you stuble across some really diehard fans! :-D As you probably saw, there are a few of us that will defend Luke until the day we die - that's just the way it is. :-) You are entitled to your own opinion, but we think you are VERY wrong! ;-) (And now I have seen Empire of the Sun live myself, and I just LOVED the show! It was even better than I expected, so I still think you are wrong! ;-) ) Have fun! Hanne Well, that’s what happens when you stuble across some really diehard fans! :-D As you probably saw, there are a few of us that will defend Luke until the day we die – that’s just the way it is. :-)

You are entitled to your own opinion, but we think you are VERY wrong! ;-)

(And now I have seen Empire of the Sun live myself, and I just LOVED the show! It was even better than I expected, so I still think you are wrong! ;-) )

Have fun!
Hanne

]]> By: Natalie http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-1566 Natalie Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:24:29 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-1566 I'm totally backing Lura on this one. For YEARS and YEARS there have been so many boring-ass bands that all seem the same!! EotS does things DIFFERENTLY and that's why I love them!! I have seen them live at GTM and got exactly the same show that you are whinging about here! I have to tell you, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way! Don't you understand? NOT interacting with the audience is all part of the show (but that said, Luke still acknowledges our presence). It suspends reality! Who the fuck wants to be reminded they're in a smelly mosh pit when they would rather be totally absorbed in their fav band?! Hey, if you don't like it - LEAVE!! I’m totally backing Lura on this one. For YEARS and YEARS there have been so many boring-ass bands that all seem the same!! EotS does things DIFFERENTLY and that’s why I love them!! I have seen them live at GTM and got exactly the same show that you are whinging about here! I have to tell you, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way! Don’t you understand? NOT interacting with the audience is all part of the show (but that said, Luke still acknowledges our presence). It suspends reality! Who the fuck wants to be reminded they’re in a smelly mosh pit when they would rather be totally absorbed in their fav band?! Hey, if you don’t like it – LEAVE!!

]]> By: Will Ooi http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-578 Will Ooi Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:01:58 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-578 http://www.walkingonadream.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3458&start=0 Somehow this blog ended up on the official forums =) Funny how one's opinion can be dismissed as wrong simply when others don't agree with it http://www.walkingonadream.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3458&start=0

Somehow this blog ended up on the official forums =)

Funny how one’s opinion can be dismissed as wrong simply when others don’t agree with it

]]> By: Anthony Truong http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-575 Anthony Truong Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:05:20 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-575 "bad complements"? There's nothing wrong with being critical, I am just stating my view of their live shows and direction Luke has taken. Luke has a lot of potential which was shown in his album Lovers by his former band The Sleepy Jackson (recently named in the top 100 albums of the last decade by NME magazine and only one of two Australian albums featured in the top 100, the other one being since I left you by the Avalanches) as well as their solid Empire album. Although they may be the BEST BAND YOU HAVE EVER HEARD OF MY LIFE, just dont expect them to be the outstanding live if their past shows are anything to go by. “bad complements”? There’s nothing wrong with being critical, I am just stating my view of their live shows and direction Luke has taken. Luke has a lot of potential which was shown in his album Lovers by his former band The Sleepy Jackson (recently named in the top 100 albums of the last decade by NME magazine and only one of two Australian albums featured in the top 100, the other one being since I left you by the Avalanches) as well as their solid Empire album. Although they may be the BEST BAND YOU HAVE EVER HEARD OF MY LIFE, just dont expect them to be the outstanding live if their past shows are anything to go by.

]]> By: laura http://willooi.com/2009/11/how-to-alienate-your-fans-and-come-across-as-an-arrogant-bastard-empire-of-the-sun-foreshore-09-review/comment-page-1/#comment-319 laura Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:51:44 +0000 http://www.willooi.com/?p=716#comment-319 exscuse me but i am sticking up for my self and i say that empire of the sun ARE THE BEST BAND I HAVE EVER HEARD OF MY LIFE ! and they desierved those 4 aria awards because they earned it there not shit or f.....king bad luke works hard to come up with lovely songs with his help his brother and his wife jodi and family i am going to see them live when they come to england and i purpose that if u dont like empire of the sun then dont say bad complements about them !!! exscuse me but i am sticking up for my self and i say that empire of the sun ARE THE BEST BAND I HAVE EVER HEARD OF MY LIFE ! and they desierved those 4 aria awards because they earned it there not shit or f…..king
bad luke works hard to come up with lovely songs with his help his brother and his wife jodi and family i am going to see them live when they come to england and i purpose that if u dont like empire of the sun then dont say bad complements about them !!!

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