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Lorde reached out to her fans via text, inviting them for a surprise gathering “in the park” on a Tuesday afternoon. Many of her dedicated followers responded enthusiastically, flocking to Washington Square Park, a vibrant green space in Lower Manhattan, turning the area into a hub of excitement as they awaited the pop star’s announcement. As the crowd gathered, she made her presence felt by performing her latest single, “What Was That,” through speakers that filled the park with her music.
Clad in jeans paired with a bikini and accented by a sheer white shirt, Lorde moved to the rhythm of her own lyrics: “Since I was seventeen, I gave you everything/Now, we wake from a dream/Well, baby, what was that?” The energy in the park surged as fans celebrated the impromptu performance, many capturing the moment on their devices.
Earlier that day, an initial gathering was interrupted by park rangers and the local police, who informed those assembled that the event would not be happening. In a moment of transparency, Lorde took to her Instagram stories to share her surprise at the turnout, noting, “Omg @thepark the cops are shutting us down I am truly amazed by how many of you showed up!!!” However, she conveyed her disappointment, stating, “But they’re telling me you gotta disperse … I’m so sorry.”
A spokesperson from the New York City Police Department’s Department of Community Affairs shared that they had become aware of an unauthorized event in the park around 6:47 p.m. The spokesperson emphasized that a permit is necessary to host a concert in any New York City park and reiterated that those behind the event did not have the required permissions. They confirmed that the organizers were directed to leave the area. While the spokesperson did not specifically mention Lorde, the implications were clear.
Just weeks prior, Lorde teased the forthcoming single “What Was That” with her debut TikTok video, where she was seen enjoying a sneak preview of the track while wandering through the same park. She announced her highly anticipated single would drop on April 25 as the first release from her upcoming fourth album.
To stay connected with her audience, Lorde has opted to communicate through text messages rather than traditional newsletters. After her performance at Coachella, where she joined Charli XCX on stage, she sent out an audio memo reflecting on the experience and providing glimpses into her new musical chapter.
“I just wanted to say hi because everything is about to change, and these are really the last moments where it’s just us, which is crazy but so right,” she expressed. “I’m so ready. I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to say that, but I am. I’m so thankful for your patience. I’ve felt your love, I’ve felt you right there. This is gonna be crazy; you have no idea.”
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The use of voice messages indicates a more casual and immediate approach Lorde is adopting to introduce her music to fans. She mentioned, “I’m in the zone, not wanting to think too hard about how to communicate. I don’t want to be stressing about capturing the moment with the right language. What if it’s just about saying it, maybe getting it wrong, and that being okay?”
This article was updated on April 22 at 9:28 p.m. ET to include news of Lorde’s appearance at Washington Square Park in NYC.
Source
www.rollingstone.com