Lorde Surprises London Fans with Impromptu Listening Party
In a surprise move, Lorde appeared at an impromptu listening party in London on June 7, thrilling fans who had received a cryptic WhatsApp message earlier that day. According to NME, the Kiwi pop star showed up to a car park in London, where she played several songs from her upcoming fourth studio album, ‘Virgin’, set to be released on June 27.
The message, which was sent to select fans, read: “London I’m here and dying to see you .. Shall we link tn ? Message if keen 🚦((((((Will send an invite if selected. UK residents only and u gotta be 18+))))))”. NME reported that fans who were selected were then invited to the car park, where Lorde appeared on the hood of a car to play “five or six songs” from the upcoming album.
During the impromptu performance, Lorde played several tracks, including ‘What Was That’ and ‘Man Of The Year’, and even danced to ‘Ribs’ with fans. NME noted that she also debuted ‘Clear Blue’, a song she previously revealed was about “unprotected sex and taking a pregnancy test”. According to a fan on Reddit, the track is “just a chopped, electronic-sounding, layered-vocals-only performance,” that “felt like an interlude, but a good one.”
In addition to the performances, Lorde gave a short speech to the crowd, telling them: “Thank you so much for staying with me, I know it’s not easy, but I’ve never been so proud”. NME reported that fans were given parking tickets with the album’s cover on one side, in lieu of concert tickets.
The listening party follows her making a similarly unexpected appearance at a Lorde-themed party in Australia last month, while in April, she played her comeback single ‘What Was That’ for fans at an impromptu event in New York, shortly after police shut down a pop-up gig. NME noted that Lorde is set to embark on her UK, European and North American ‘Ultrasound’ tour later this year.
Special guests on the tour will include The Japanese House, Nilüfer Yanya, Chanel Beads, Empress Of, and Oklou, as well as Blood Orange – with Devonte Hynes featuring on the album – and co-producer Jim-E Stack. NME reported that fans can visit the website for North American tickets and more information, and here for any remaining tickets and details for UK and European dates.
After rumours began to swirl that she might be due to play a secret set at Glastonbury – which takes place the same weekend as the album’s release – Lorde said she was “pretty keen, honestly” about the idea. “I am quite tempted by what’s going on because I’ve got lots of friends playing as well. We’ll see, we’ll see if I can pull some strings and get there,” she said, according to NME.
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