With the highly anticipated release of Solar Power, Lorde’s third studio album, she also announced a global tour for 2022.
Many fans, like me, struggled to buy tickets. Lorde is one of the biggest pop stars of our generation, so the crushing feeling of defeat when you see the “sold out” banner on the ticket website is familiar to many.
It’s not just her international fanbase that makes it nearly impossible to get tickets, it’s also her commitment to booking smaller concert venues. This is not the first time she’s done so.
For her 2017 Melodrama tour, Lorde opted to play in smaller settings to have a more intimate experience with her fans. She’ll do the same in the upcoming year.
As frustrating as it is to have missed out on buying tickets, Lorde’s commitment to fan experience is incredibly endearing. Smaller venues give artists a more comfortable space to interact with fans and get a feel for the crowd.
From a fan perspective, it makes the entire experience much more exciting. To see one of your favorite artists up close and personal is a very surreal experience. It can also mean that ticket costs aren’t as pricey, and opportunities to meet and possibly take photos with the performer are much more likely.
The practice is also good for small business venues that struggle to compete with arenas and stadiums that can host bigger crowds and sustain more equipment.
Having missed out on in-person performances all of 2020 and most of 2021, smaller, intimate concerts are the perfect reintroduction back to live music.
Luckily for fans in SLO or the central coast in general, Lorde is making a surprising stop in Santa Barbara where she’ll play the Santa Barbara Bowl on May 7th.