After nearly six decades and a prolific output of 28 studio albums, American duo Sparks has released their first full-length live album, Live On The Moon, capturing a dynamic stage presence that has only strengthened with time. The band, composed of brothers Russell Mael, 77, and Ron Mael, 81, drew from their extensive career to compile a setlist traversing their early art rock beginnings, glam rock heights, and electronic dance influences. Tracks span from their 1972 debut A Woofer In Tweeter to iconic songs such as This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us and the Giorgio Moroder-produced The Number One Song In Heaven.
The new live recording arrives during a period of revitalized interest in Sparks, sparked in large part by Edgar Wright’s 2021 documentary The Sparks Brothers, which exposed lesser-known aspects of their catalogue and introduced the band to a younger audience. Russell Mael highlighted that the 2020s have seen Sparks performing live more extensively than ever before. “We’ve been touring quite a bit in the last few years, probably more than we’ve ever done in our whole history,” he said, noting that audiences have become larger, younger, and more diverse, all while retaining longtime fans.
Live On The Moon aims to encapsulate the energy of Sparks’ concerts, a challenge Russell acknowledged given the lack of the visual components inherent to a live show. He credited the band’s younger members for bringing vitality and enthusiasm without the weight of the group’s long history, which he believes has contributed to the strongest live incarnation of Sparks to date.
The album also features a notable cameo by actress Cate Blanchett, who has been informally adopted as an honorary band member. Blanchett appeared in the 2023 video for the single The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte and performed the song’s accompanying dance live with the band at Glastonbury Festival that year.
While Live On The Moon celebrates their past, Sparks are already looking ahead. The brothers revealed work is underway on their 29th studio album and preparations are in progress to reissue their 1986 record Music That You Can Dance To. Though initially only a club hit, the album has enjoyed renewed attention and popularity following its inclusion in Wright’s documentary. Russell noted that the title track, once a niche favorite, has now become a staple of their live shows where audiences respond enthusiastically.
Sparks’ cultural relevance in 2024 is further reflected in their recent collaboration with Gorillaz. The band appeared on The Mountain, Gorillaz’s new album released earlier this year, and performed live alongside Damon Albarn’s group. Russell expressed gratitude toward Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett for their appreciation of Sparks, describing the partnership as a natural and rewarding experience.
With a career spanning multiple genres and decades, Sparks continues to evolve while honoring their rich musical legacy, engaging both longtime listeners and new fans through their energetic live performances and ongoing creative projects.