It’s a cool and crisp Sunday night. Normally I would be on the couch, indulging in my guilty pleasure (making fun of highly sensitive and emotional Masterchef contestants) but not tonight. I’ve had PHD (post holiday depression for those that aren’t as kool as the kids, clearly I am…) for two weeks and enough is enough. I heard from someone along the grapevine that a certain wunderkind would be hitting the Riverstage tonight and that it was going to be a show I shouldn’t miss. Oh my Lorde were they right.
I’ve heard that song on the radio as much as the next person, but it was only when I was hiking my way through the Botanic Gardens did I realise that that was the extent of my knowledge regarding little ol’ Ella Yelich-O’Connor’s discography. Lucky I had a closet Lorde fan in tow (who even surprised herself when she whipped out encyclopaedic facts on all things Ella) Approaching the field, I was shocked to find an overflowing sea of people, taking part in what seemed to be a carols in the park celebration. Families with grandparents and the odd toddler in tow had brought along picnic rugs and were decked out in thick woollen jumpers. Why weren’t these people bundled up in bed? I know I wanted to be!
My PIC (partner in crime) and I rolled down to the stage – keeping it PG rated with lemonade in hand, it was a school night after all – and nestled ourselves between a group of ‘handy’ love birds who clearly hadn’t just come for the show and a group of dudes who could only be described as in training for Splendour (Side note: tie-dye should not be worn in bulk ever, especially when you pair it with dress shoes? Are you going to a business meeting on a rainbow??? Because that’s the only valid excuse that I would deem acceptable for your get up)
We managed to catch the last few tracks of Canberra electro-indie 3-piece gang SAFIA. If you listen to ‘the J’ – kool slang for triple j – (honestly it’s pointless of me to try and use hip slang, I normally utilise it incorrectly and end up explaining myself anyway) you will have heard their debut track Listen to Soul, Listen to Blue
The crowd go wild when they finish their set (who knew they had so many fans?) and we weren’t left waiting long before the bass kicks in and they cue a looped backing track for Glory and Gore. A small sinister figure cuts across the stage and a haunting tone fills the amphitheatre. What ensues can only be described as a dark and twisted fantasy.
Lorde works her way through the tracks of 2013 album ‘Pure Heroine’ (brought to life with her two man band, percussion and keys respectively) including crowd favourites Biting Down, Still Sane, and Easy, whilst emulating what can only be described as a gothic Elaine Benes – pant suit, frizzy hair and contorting dance moves (link to video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xi4O1yi6b0) included.
After a reflective and somewhat humble moment, along the lines of “this is a fucking field of people for me!” the crowd swarms to the front as Lorde declares “I’ve never seen a diamond in the flesh…” Ah yes, the time has come for the worldwide hit and teen anthem Royals; followed quickly by the more popular, Team. Lorde has the audience exactly where she wants them. A gunshot goes off and golden confetti falls from the sky as she leaves the stage – but not for long.
She returns, draped in liquid silver or what looks like Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak, which doesn’t seem to be working as all eyes are on her. The anticipation has been building all night as Lorde utters the first lyrics to Tennis Court and the crowd erupts. It’s not so much that the song is a crowd favourite; but that she is a crowd favourite. As she leaves the stage for good, the audience are left screaming for more. They don’t get it though and are left chanting and worshiping at the musical alter of a mere seventeen year old. They say not to use the Lords name in vain, but Jesus Christ does the Lorde put on a good show.
Words: Leila Amirparviz
