Lorde brought her Ultrasound World Tour to Boston on Friday, September 26th, taking over the iconic TD Garden with a night full of dancing, tears, and heart-to-hearts. From the first note to the last wave goodbye, the show felt like a shared secret between her and the crowd.
Rising up on stage in just a t-shirt and jeans, Lorde opened the show with “Hammer,” the first track off her new album Virgin. From the jump, it was clear this wasn’t just a regular concert—it was a full on cinematic experience. The throbbing, synth-heavy track set the tone perfectly, highlighting her simple yet striking stage setup. As the lights shifted and the beat faded, the next chapter of the night began to unfold.
Now, if you’re going to a Lorde concert, you’d probably expect her hit song “Royals” to show up closer to the end of the set, right? Nope. It was the second song of the night, catching everyone—including me—completely off guard. One thing I really appreciate about this tour is that she doesn’t rely on a huge spectacle for every song. With “Royals,” it was just her and a microphone, letting the audience take over and scream every word with her.
“Boston, welcome to Ultrasound!” Lorde shouted as the crowd erupted in applause. “I’ve got a lot to catch you up on. Got a lot of stories to tell you. You okay with that?” she asked, sending the audience into a frenzy. The setlist blended deep cuts from her new album with old favorites like “Favorite Daughter,” “Buzzcut Season,” and “Perfect Places,” and the entire crowd screamed every single word right back at her.
The crowd really got into it during “Oceanic Feeling” when a few people turned on their phone flashlights—and soon, almost everyone followed. Before long, the entire arena was glowing. “WOAH!!!!” Lorde shouted as she looked up and took in the sea of lights. Later, right before singing “Liability,” she gave a heartfelt five-minute speech, thanking her fans and showing how much it all meant to her. “I’m just really tuned the fuck in to how many people are in this room. It’s actually incredible that this many people have something in common enough to come and spend this night in a room together. It’s really really cool,” she told the crowd. It was the kind of thing that reminded you why live music matters in the first place.
“Man of the Year” was definitely a highlight for me. I loved that she leaned into the music video’s theme, even down to the duct tape across her chest. Her vocals, the production—everything just hit. “Green Light” was another standout. The second that first note dropped, the crowd absolutely erupted, scream-singing every word. It felt like being in a giant nightclub with 20,000 of my closest friends.
As we got toward the end of the show, she started putting on this light-up jacket right as “David,” the fan-favorite track from her new album, began to play. Halfway through the song, she made her way into the pit, and when you looked up at the big screen, you saw everyone down there just staring at her, singing along in total awe. That moment felt like time slowed down, like the whole crowd was holding its breath just to soak it all in.
Lorde made her way to the B stage to wrap up the show. Most of us were bracing for “Ribs,” the final song she plays for this tour, but then she surprised us by saying, “This is one I haven’t played in awhile.” Instantly, I knew it was “A World Alone” from her debut album. (Spoiler alert: it was.) The moment she started, I got hit with this wave of emotion—I was back in high school, hearing that song for the very first time. I’m 28 now, but standing there, hearing it live, it felt like time folded in on itself and I was suddenly 16 again, caught in that same mix of nostalgia and awe.
“Ribs” came next—the true closer. I’ve seen Lorde live before, and she usually plays this one mid-set, but the moment that first note dropped, the energy in the room made it clear: this song was meant to end the night. Watching her connect with fans on the B stage while the crowd at the back of the floor jumped up and down with their friends made it feel like the perfect conclusion to an unreal night.
When the lights came up and “All My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem started playing, I was left with that rare kind of glow—you know, the kind that settles deep in your bones when something truly special happens. Lorde’s Ultrasound World Tour wasn’t just a concert; it was a night packed with moments that felt personal, powerful, and unforgettable. After a night like this, it’s clear she’s still evolving in incredible ways, and I’m excited to see how she keeps pushing her art forward.
