I’d been counting down the days to this show for months, and walking into the Moody Center for Lorde’s September 2025 stop of her Ultrasound tour felt like stepping into a long-awaited reunion. Austin’s massive arena buzzed with anticipation, the kind of restless energy that comes from fans who have lived with her songs as the soundtrack to their own coming of age. Lorde’s music has always been about growing up—about carving out space for vulnerability, joy, and the strange moments in between—and tonight she reminded me why she remains one of the most important pop voices of the past decade.
From the first notes, it was clear we weren’t just here for a greatest-hits set. Lorde had carefully shaped the evening into four distinct acts, each one a chapter in a bigger story. It was less like a standard concert and more like a play, with moods that rose, fell, and shifted before our eyes.
Opening Salvo: Act I
The lights dimmed and an atmospheric Intro track floated across the arena, a slow-building swirl of ambient synths that set the mood without revealing too much. Then the band kicked into “Hammer,” the lead single from her latest album Virgin, and the crowd erupted. Lorde strode onto the stage in a shimmering deep-blue jumpsuit, hair loose and wild, moving with a relaxed confidence that was equal parts rock star and poet. “Hammer” set the tone immediately: sleek production, a pulsing beat, and lyrics that wrestle with personal reinvention. The song’s muscular groove worked even better live, the bass shaking the floor as Lorde prowled from one side of the stage to the other.
Without pausing, she launched into “Royals,” the song that started it all. Hearing that minimalist beat in a packed arena still sends chills down my spine. It’s hard to believe this anthem of suburban rebellion is over a decade old, but Lorde delivered it with fresh urgency, letting the audience sing the final chorus almost entirely on their own. A few people near me even wiped away tears, proof that the song still hits as hard as the first time we all heard it.
“Broken Glass” followed, a moody track from Virgin that showcased her knack for balancing darkness and light. Her voice, slightly huskier than in her early days, carried a weathered warmth that fit the song’s theme of picking up emotional shards. The live version stretched out the bridge, giving the band a chance to show off some subtle but impressive musicianship.
Then came “Buzzcut Season,” a Pure Heroine favorite that had the whole arena swaying in unison. Lorde smiled knowingly as the crowd hit every word, the delicate melody floating over a bed of synths that sounded even richer live. For a moment, time seemed to collapse—we were all back in 2013, wrapped in the bittersweet nostalgia of a song about escaping reality.
She introduced “Favourite Daughter,” another Virgin cut, with a brief story about “learning to love the parts of yourself you were taught to hide.” The track’s layered harmonies and slow-burn groove earned one of the night’s biggest cheers. Fans sang along to the chorus like it had been in their playlists for years, even though the album is barely six months old.
To close Act I, Lorde brought us back to the luminous escapism of her Melodrama era with “Perfect Places.” Confetti cannons weren’t needed; the song itself felt like a celebration, a reminder of the euphoric nights that inspired it. By the end of this first act, it was clear that the show would not simply be a victory lap—it was a carefully sequenced journey through her past, present, and future.
Transformation and Nostalgia: Act II
Act II began with “Shapeshifter,” its slinky beat perfectly matching the stage visuals, which pulsed with morphing shapes and colors. Lorde used the extended intro to dance with playful abandon, moving in ways that felt almost improvisational. It was part pop star choreography, part free-flowing expression, and it gave the song an extra jolt of electricity.
The brand-new “Current Affairs” followed, a politically tinged track that married sharp lyrics with a surprisingly upbeat rhythm. Fans might have been hearing it for the first time, but they were already clapping along by the second chorus. Lorde’s sly grin as she delivered the line “the news keeps calling my bluff” hinted at the song’s wry commentary.
When the opening notes of “Supercut” rang out—complete with an extended intro that stretched the tension to its breaking point—the arena erupted. This is one of Lorde’s most beloved songs, and the crowd sang the “in my head” refrain loud enough to drown out the band. The pulsing rhythm, the bittersweet nostalgia, and Lorde’s soaring vocals created a perfect live moment where every heartbreak felt cinematic.
Next came a true deep cut: “No Better.” She announced it with a mischievous grin, noting it hadn’t been played live since 2014. The collective gasp from the audience said it all. The song’s breezy, understated vibe offered a perfect mid-set surprise and felt like a gift to longtime fans who never thought they’d hear it again.
The playful “GRWM” (short for “Get Ready With Me”) kept the energy high, with Lorde strutting across the stage and encouraging the crowd to “get ready for whatever comes next.” Its sing-song hook felt tailor-made for the live setting.
“The Louvre,” performed with an extended intro, closed the act on a soaring note. The swirling guitars and reverb-heavy vocals filled every corner of the arena, creating a sense of limitless space. Lorde stretched the final chorus, letting the melody hang in the air as if she didn’t want to let go.
Intimacy and Reflection: Act III
If the first two acts were about momentum, Act III was about intimacy. Lorde returned to the stage bathed in soft blue light for “Oceanic Feeling,” a song that invites listeners to sink into its meditative tide. Live, it became a quiet communion between artist and audience, a shared breath. The audience swayed gently, almost unconsciously, as if pulled by the same current.
“Big Star,” her tribute to late producer Jack Antonoff’s dog, followed. The bittersweet lyrics took on new depth as she dedicated it to “everyone we’ve ever loved and lost.” It was a small, tender moment that showed how much she values connection.
The crowd hushed as she sat on a stool for an extended version of “Liability.” Her voice carried a fragile tenderness that made the song even more devastating than on record. You could hear sniffles in the audience as she lingered on the final line, letting it hang in the air. It was one of those rare arena moments that felt like a private confession.
Next came “Clearblue,” performed with an extended intro and outro that turned the song into a dreamlike meditation. The band layered shimmering synths while Lorde’s vocals floated like a gentle tide. The slow fade-out gave everyone a moment to collect themselves before the final burst of energy.
She closed this act with “Man of the Year,” another Virgin standout that felt both triumphant and self-aware, a celebration of resilience in the face of change. The chorus—“I made it through, I’m still here”—felt like a declaration not just for her but for everyone in the room.
The Final Rush: Act IV
The final act exploded back to life with “If She Could See Me Now,” introduced by a long, atmospheric build. The lyrics—about looking back at your younger self—hit especially hard after the quiet vulnerability of Act III. Lorde’s voice soared over the swelling arrangement, reminding us how far we’ve all come.
Then came the anthem “Team,” which immediately had everyone jumping in unison. Lorde’s grin said everything; this was pure catharsis. The communal shout of “we live in cities you’ll never see on screen” felt like a celebration of the outsiders who had filled the arena.
The shimmering “What Was That” followed, a slightly quirky track that let her indulge her more playful side, complete with an extended call-and-response section. Lorde clearly enjoyed the interaction, laughing as the crowd echoed every “what was that?” right back at her.
The arena turned into a dance floor for “Green Light,” which remains one of the most joyous songs in her catalog. Lorde twirled across the stage, encouraging everyone to let go. The entire crowd became a sea of bouncing bodies, singing the “I’m waiting for it” refrain like a mantra. Few songs capture pure release the way “Green Light” does, and the live version only amplified its power.
She surprised many with “David,” a deep cut that paired raw lyrics with a pulsing beat, proving once again her ability to mix personal storytelling with pop brilliance. It’s a song about complicated love and quiet regrets, and it landed with unexpected emotional weight.
Finally, she closed with “Ribs.” It was the perfect ending, a song about the bittersweet passage of time, and the crowd sang along as if holding on to their own memories. As the final notes faded, Lorde stood silently for a moment, hand over heart, taking in the roar of the audience before leaving the stage.
Reflections on the Night
What struck me most about this show was Lorde’s balance of vulnerability and confidence. She isn’t the teenage prodigy of Pure Heroine anymore, and she isn’t trying to be. Her voice has deepened, her stage presence has matured, and her lyrics have become more reflective. Yet she retains the spark that made her special from the start: the ability to make a massive arena feel intimate.
The production was tasteful and never overbearing—smart lighting cues, subtle visual effects, and a tight band that knew when to pull back and when to let loose. Unlike some pop spectacles, nothing here felt designed to distract from the music. Instead, every choice served the emotional arc of the set. Even the costume changes were understated, more about mood than spectacle.
The new songs from Virgin stood shoulder to shoulder with classics like “Royals” and “Green Light,” proving that Lorde continues to evolve without losing the essence of what fans love. Even deep cuts like “No Better” felt essential, woven seamlessly into the narrative of the night. This wasn’t just an album cycle; it was an artist mapping her growth in real time.
Leaving the arena, I kept thinking about how Lorde has managed to age alongside her audience without losing the magic that drew us in as teenagers. Her music invites you to celebrate and to mourn, often in the same breath. In a pop landscape obsessed with quick hits and constant reinvention, Lorde remains an artist who trusts her audience to grow with her.
This wasn’t just a concert; it was a journey through past selves, present truths, and future possibilities. And judging by the faces around me—tear-streaked, smiling, buzzing with after-show energy—it was a journey we were all grateful to take.
Full Setlist – Lorde at Moody Center, Austin, TX – September 2025
Act I
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Intro
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Hammer
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Royals
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Broken Glass
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Buzzcut Season
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Favourite Daughter
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Perfect Places
Act II
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Shapeshifter
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Current Affairs
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Supercut (extended intro)
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No Better (first time live since 2014)
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GRWM
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The Louvre (extended intro)
Act III
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Oceanic Feeling
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Big Star
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Liability (extended intro)
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Clearblue (extended intro & outro)
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Man of the Year
Act IV
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If She Could See Me Now (extended intro)
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Team
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What Was That
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Green Light
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David
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Ribs
Outro
As the lights came up and the crowd filed out, I felt that quiet buzz only a great show can leave behind. Lorde didn’t just play her hits—she built a night that felt alive, personal, and bigger than the setlist. Every song carried its own weight, but together they told a story about where she’s been and where she’s headed. Leaving the Moody Center, I wasn’t just thinking about the music; I was thinking about how rare it is to see an artist connect so deeply with an audience. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a reminder of why Lorde remains one of the most captivating performers of her generation.