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Concert Review: Lorde’s “Solar Power Tour”

by Madison Jorfi, Albright College

Apr 29, 2022

Behind Lorde was a monochromatic set with a giant rotating sundial, next to her were her cult-like bandmates, and in front of her was a sold-out crowd.

The 25-year-old singer from New Zealand came to The MET in Philadelphia for her Solar Powertour. This venue was a step back from her Melodrama tour, which was held at the Wells Fargo Center in 2018. Though, Lorde mentioned that she wanted to strip it back to a more intimate setting with her fans.

“You may have noticed we’re in an intimate room right now. I wanted to feel you, to see you, to hear you,” the singer said.

The 1-hour-40-minute show was divided into three separate acts. However, there was not much of a difference between each section besides a change in outfits. Each act also featured songs from each of her released albums, so there was not a lack of variety.

Lorde performed some acoustic, yet psychedelic songs, such as “The Path” and “Mood Ring”, from her latest album, Solar Power. She also dabbled into her previous and more upbeat records, Melodrama and Pure Heroine.

One of the crowd favorites of the night was an energized performance of her popular and youthful song, “Ribs”. The crowd of 3,400 fans were jumping up and down along with the singer as the chorus hit, reminiscent of their teenage years.

Lorde told her fans, “I wrote this song when I was 15, which means that some of you have been listening to it for almost 10 years. Tonight, I want you to dance for your 15-year-old selves.”

That same energy lasted throughout the entirety of the concert. If you have ever seen Lorde perform, you know she has an interesting way of dancing, as if she is feeling the rhythm with each of her movements. Her dance style makes for an inclusive and entrancing stage presence.

Despite just recovering from laryngitis, which caused her to postpone two shows the week before the Philadelphia show, Lorde’s voice sounded exactly like it does on her recorded albums. Her tone was slightly raspy, but that is her signature style and the reason her shows sell out in less than five minutes.

The Kiwi singer also mentioned that the MET show was the loudest and most enthusiastic crowd on the tour yet. This emotion was clearly felt when Lorde returned to the stage, after performing 18 songs, for a rare three-track encore. She usually only sings two songs for the encore, so this was a welcome surprise from the audience.

For the first time on this tour, Lorde sang her 2013 song, “400 Lux”, which caused an excited and shocked roar from her fans. Her last two songs, “Royals” and “Team”, were both previous radio hits that skyrocketed Lorde to stardom. It was a full-circle moment.

Lorde’s Solar Powertour was an intimate, laidback dance party. The New Zealander knows how to put on a beautiful and lively show, and it will not be the last time she returns to Philadelphia.

Rating: 10 out of 10 suns

Setlist:

  1. Leader of a New Regime
  2. Buzzcut Season
  3. Homemade Dynamite
  4. Stoned at the Nail Salon
  5. Fallen Fruit
  6. The Path
  7. California
  8. Ribs
  9. The Louvre
  10. Dominos/Loveless/Liability
  11. Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen It All)
  12. Mood Ring
  13. Sober
  14. Supercut
  15. Perfect Places
  16. Solar Power
  17. Green Light
  18. Oceanic Feeling
  19. 400 Lux –Encore
  20. Royals –Encore
  21. Team –Encore

You can find more information about upcoming tour dates here.

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