Empire of the Sun made history as the first Australian artist to sell out three consecutive shows at London's iconic Alexandra Palace. Known for their theatrical performances and distinctive visual identity, the production demanded a laser show that felt as carefully crafted as the music itself.
Known for combining electronic music with theatrical staging and otherworldly visuals, the band needed an effects package capable of complementing the scale and ambition of the shows. The Events Company approached BPM SFX to supply the laser and special-effects systems, resulting in a carefully choreographed production that brought together lasers, video, smoke, fog and CO₂ effects.
“We were delighted to play our part in delivering the show’s spectacular visual effects,” said the BPM SFX team. “Seeing the creative vision come to life across all three performances was incredibly rewarding.”
Bringing the Creative to Life
A central part of the creative brief was ensuring that the laser technology never distracted from Empire of the Sun’s visual world. The large LED screens positioned behind the artists played a major role in the production, so the laser fixtures needed to remain hidden whenever the screens were in use.
To achieve this, BPM SFX suspended six laser fixtures from Wahlberg winches. The system allowed the fixtures to remain concealed before being lowered into position at precisely programmed moments during the show.
Rather than limiting the lasers to a single fixed look, the moving system gave the creative team access to a variety of heights, angles and formations. Fixtures could be arranged in a chevron, raked across the stage or placed in seemingly random positions to produce a different visual character for each song.
One of the show’s most memorable moments brought the laser and video systems together. BPM SFX precisely aligned the beams with eyes displayed in the video content, creating the illusion that lasers were emanating from the screens and reaching out across the audience.
The effect demonstrated how close collaboration and detailed previsualization could transform an initial creative idea into a convincing live spectacle. By treating the lasers as part of the show’s storytelling, not simply an additional layer of effects, the team created moments that felt entirely at home within Empire of the Sun’s theatrical universe.
The Team Behind the Scenes: BPM SFX
Over the years, BPM SFX has become a trusted production partner for some of the world’s biggest live events. Its work can be seen on productions for Sleep Token, Lewis Capaldi, LSR/CITY, Will Smith and OneRepublic, delivering immersive visual experiences to audiences around the world.
For Empire of the Sun’s Alexandra Palace shows, BPM SFX’s involvement began long before the production arrived at the venue. Working from creative notes and Depence renders supplied by the artist’s team, the company designed and programmed laser sequences for 10 tracks.
Lighting Designer Olly Suckling then joined BPM SFX at its Oak Mill headquarters for a dedicated programming session. Using the company’s Depence visualization suite and high-performance Renderbox PC, the teams were able to preview each sequence and refine the laser programming before moving into the venue.
This collaborative process gave BPM SFX, Suckling and the artist’s creative team an opportunity to experiment with the timing, positioning and movement of the lasers in a virtual environment. Each sequence could be carefully shaped around the music, video and wider show design, helping the finished effects feel like an integral part of the performance.
Laser Technology
At the heart of the production were 11x Kvant Atom 58 laser systems, chosen for their high output, beam quality, and ability to integrate seamlessly into a dynamic stage environment.
Six projectors were suspended from Wahlberg winches across the stage, allowing their positions to move throughout the performance. One additional projector was mounted above the artist to create dramatic overhead effects, while the remaining four fixtures were truss mounted and evenly divided between stage left and stage right.
Because the winch-mounted lasers moved through several positions, the system required especially detailed safety planning. BPM SFX programmed more than 40 individual safety zones to accommodate every configuration used during the performance.
These zones ensured safe operation whether the fixtures were arranged in a chevron, raked at an angle or placed in more irregular formations. They also helped preserve a natural visual appearance as the lasers changed position without restricting the creative flexibility of the system.
Alongside the lasers, BPM SFX supplied an extensive collection of atmospheric and special-effects equipment; six Stadium Shots, six Viper DeLuxe smoke machines positioned in the pit, four MDG Ice Fog Q units discreetly positioned on stage, and six ECO2 Jets installed along the downstage edge.
Together, these elements added depth, texture and impact to the production. Smoke and fog gave the laser beams greater definition throughout the venue, while the Stadium Shots and ECO2 Jets delivered powerful punctuation at key moments in the set.
A Production Built Around Creativity
Across three sold-out nights, BPM SFX’s combination of detailed pre-production, flexible technical design and close creative collaboration helped translate Empire of the Sun’s distinctive visual world into a large-scale live experience.
From the precisely programmed sequences and moving laser formations to the seamless integration of video, atmospheric effects and CO₂, every component was designed to support the music and enhance the audience’s experience.
“It was an absolute pleasure to work with everyone involved,” BPM SFX reflected.
For a record-breaking run at one of London’s most recognizable venues, the production demonstrated what can be achieved when creative ambition, close collaboration and technical expertise come together.
Credits & Socials
Laser Production: BPM SFX
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Organizer: The Events Company - Sam Newson
Lighting Designer: Olly Suckling
Laser Techs
Olly Yates
Rory Haigh
Harry McNiell
Harry Snell
Robert Stanely
Andrew Lamond
Photography: Rob Benson
