Four songs before the end of last night’s show at Roseland Ballroom, Lorde (aka Ella Yelich-O’Connor) broke the veil of icy coolness that had covered her show and gave the sold-out crowd a genuine insight into her mind.
“I’m terrified of growing up,” said the 17-year-old as she introduced “Ribs,” a standout track from her debut album, “Pure Heroine.” “Once you become an adult, how do you step back from that? It’s something that wakes me up at night.” She really shouldn’t fret so much. In the often-infantile world of pop, Lorde’s maturity and class sets her apart from the kitschy Katy Perrys or the boneheaded Justin Biebers, and it made her 70-minute set richly inspiring.
Despite tweeting that she was sick hours before the show (the first of a three-night stand at Roseland which runs until Wednesday), Lorde was note-perfect throughout as she went through almost every song she’s ever released. Backed by little more than her two-piece band and three large screens, the production was deliberately low-key so as to not distract anyone from the atmospheric trip-hop beats of “Biting Down” or the intimacy of her neo-soul version of The Replacements’ “Swingin’ Party.” Lorde isn’t the type of performer who gets in anyone’s face and begs for approval. Instead, she leaves the door ajar and invites you into her wonderfully enigmatic world.
Her flawless singing was punctuated by several shows of what surely must be termed the “Lorde Lunge” — the bizarre, jerky motions that the New Zealander has become known for. It makes her look as though she’s being shocked by an invisible electric cattle prod. But Lorde is an unusual pop star, so it makes sense that her dance moves should be unusual, too. It’s fast becoming her visual signature.
The 5 million-selling, Grammy Award-winning smash “Royals” naturally brought the biggest reaction, and more than a few casual fans decided to take their leave afterwards. But those who beat the rush ultimately lost out because Lorde has already figured out a way to eclipse her monster hit.
Immediately following, she dished out a strapping version of “Team” which boomed around the venue with the aid of augmented beats, a blinding light show and a blizzard of confetti. As the song built to a climax, Lorde disappeared momentarily and returned wearing an elaborate golden gown before strolling around the front of the stage with the grace of one of those royals she thought she’d never be. It was the show’s one tongue-in-cheek concession to glamour and spectacle, but Lorde deserves to live the high life a little. She’s most certainly earned it.
O’Connor doesn’t turn 18 until November, but if her adulthood is as creative and engrossing as her adolescence, then Lorde is likely to be a star for many years to come. She might be terrified of growing up, but for the rest of us, it can’t come quickly enough.