Lorde surprised fans with an impromptu performance at Washington Square Park in New York City on Tuesday night.
Lucy Dacus spotted at Lorde’s cancelled Washington State Park event in NYC today. pic.twitter.com/4eZLEl2PFf
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 23, 2025
The singer had teased the pop-up show earlier in the day, sending a message to her fan text line: “Meet me in the park Tonight 7 pm -xx.”
The crowd at Lorde’s surprise appearance in Washington Square Park before it was shut down by police. pic.twitter.com/2mgcUeOC7v
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 22, 2025
When 7 p.m. arrived, Lorde posted on her Instagram story that park rangers and local police had shut the event down. “I am truly amazed by how many of you showed up!!!” the message read.
“But they’re telling me you gotta disperse… I’m so sorry.”
Lorde arrives at Washington State Park to preview her new single ‘What Was That?’
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 23, 2025
Despite the setback, many fans remained in the park, hoping for a chance to see the singer. Around 9 p.m., Lorde finally appeared, standing on a wooden platform at the center of the park’s fountain. She thanked the assembled crowd before launching into her new song, “What Was That.”
The track, which Lorde had previously teased on TikTok, features lyrics such as: “I’m missing you/And all the things we used to do/MDMA in the back garden, blow our pupils up/We kissed for hours straight but baby, what was that?/I remember saying then/This is the best cigarette of my life/Well I want you just like that.”
Lorde’s latest studio album, Solar Power, was released in 2021.
The singer’s surprise appearance at Washington Square Park marks her first live performance of new material since then.
Lorde’s park performance surprise
The NYPD later confirmed that the event had been shut down due to a lack of proper permits.
“The event organizers did not have the necessary permits to hold a concert in the park,” a spokesperson said. We worked with them to safely disperse the crowd and ensure public safety.
Fans who attended the impromptu show expressed their excitement and gratitude on social media. “Lorde just performed her new song in Washington Square Park and it was amazing,” one fan tweeted.
“I can’t believe I got to see her live like that.”
Another fan wrote, “Lorde’s new song is so good! I’m so glad I stayed in the park and waited for her to show up. It was totally worth it.”
The singer’s surprise performance comes just days before the official release of “What Was That,” which is set to drop on April 25. Lorde has not yet announced any plans for a full concert tour in support of the new material.
