If you’re as chronically online as I am, you might have seen the video of Lorde hushing fans while singing “Writer in the Dark,” a track from her second studio album, Melodrama. As a massive Lorde fan, I’ve dreamt of seeing her in concert for so many years, but was always disheartened when I’d see that video instead of her countless other brilliant performances. This summer, Lorde released her fourth studio album, Virgin, and I told myself that no matter what, I’d see her when she tours in Atlanta. After many months of waiting with those tickets sitting patiently in my wallet, the concert was last week and it was WELL worth the wait.
Opening the show with her hit, “Hammer,” Lorde instantly set the scene for the rest of the night. It was a cathartic experience from being able to scream her chart topping hits like “Green Light” with friends, to being able to savor the quiet moments like “Big Star,” the track Lorde penned for her late dog. She hit every emotional mark, making every single person in the arena experience an incredible, shared journey. There were countless moments where we’d all laugh, scream, and even cry together.Â
A particularly special moment of the night was the encore. After entering the pit to sing “David” in a light up vest, she made her way towards the back of the arena, getting to interact with the parts of the crowd she hadn’t seen yet. Calling for an encore, she began performing “A World Alone,” which wasn’t on the setlist. She still ended up performing “Ribs,” her typical encore, and the two songs together made for the perfect closer to the perfect night.Â
Lorde wasn’t afraid to take risks, and it showed at the show. Singing “Buzzcut Season” through a fan, running on a treadmill for “Supercut,” and doing a costume change on stage for “Man of the Year” all paid off in immersing us fully in the chaos and catharsis of “Ultrasound”. Lorde is clearly made for the stage, and if you haven’t had the chance to see her in concert yet, I’d highly recommend it. She was able to capture and elevate each song and connect with everyone in the audience. It felt like she was singing individually to each of us, and that made the experience all the more special. I give “Ultrasound” and Lorde a 10/10.
