Lorde Premieres New Song “What Was That” Live at Washington Square Park
Lorde Dazzles Fans with Surprise Debut of New Single “What Was That” at NYC’s Washington Square Park
In an electrifying surprise on Tuesday evening, April 22, Lorde brought the magic to New York’s Washington Square Park for the debut of her anticipated new single, “What Was That.” Fans gathered in droves, answering her cryptic text invitation, which read, "Meet me in the park Tonight 7pm – x x." Enthusiasm filled the air as attendees awaited the enigmatic pop star.
However, the evening took an unexpected twist when local park rangers and police intervened just as the clock struck 7 p.m. Lorde quickly addressed the crowd via her Instagram story, expressing her awe at the turnout and apologizing: “I am truly amazed by how many of you showed up!!! But they’re telling me you gotta disperse … I’m so sorry.”
Despite this setback, many fans lingered, eager to catch a glimpse of their idol. After some time, Devonté Hynes of Blood Orange arrived with a portable speaker cranking out “What Was That,” rallying the crowd into a celebratory exodus from the park.
At long last, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived: Lorde graced the fountain’s wooden platform around 9 p.m., expressing gratitude to her devoted fans before diving headfirst into her performance. The latest lyrics reveal a raw intimacy as she sings, “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?”
This surprise performance marks a vibrant return for Lorde, who has garnered excitement for her next album since teasing "What Was That" with an eye-catching TikTok snippet of her strutting through the very same Washington Square Park.
Fans recently saw Lorde at Charli XCX’s Coachella set and collaborated with her fellow New Zealander Marlon Williams on the track "Kahore He Manu e." With her last album, Solar Power, released in 2021, all eyes are on this emerging chapter in her illustrious career.
As the night faded into early morning, it was clear: Lorde remains an indomitable force. In an era where stars can often feel distant, she invites her fans into her world, creating moments that will surely echo long after the last note fades away. Keep your ears tuned—after this whirlwind return, we can only anticipate the magic she has yet to unveil.
