Lorde Dazzles In Mesmerizing L.A. Show

During the second of her two sold-out shows at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. Lorde told a long story about her first trip to L.A. She recalled the culture shock of being 16 years old and coming from New Zealand to L.A., where she had a bodyguard, who had a gun, as she remembered. She told of how she wanted to get her nails done so she asked the bodyguard to recommend a place and he did, where she was greeted by tons of paparazzi. As she recalled the bodyguard said he thought she would want to be photographed. But as she explained to the crowd laughing, “No, I did not.”

Some people are built for the fame and attention. And great for them. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. But then others find it overwhelming and find their own place. Lorde has all the tools to be headlining the Forum or similar size venues. As she showed in her absolutely dazzling performance she is a brilliant performer and songwriter, personable, engaging, a captivating presence in every part of her show.

After taking the pop world by storm a decade ago as a 16-year-old, showing a depth and maturity in her writing many artists triple her age will never achieve, Lorde showed at the Shrine she has learned how to utilize all of that talent to its full potential. And the results were staggering.

From her vocals and stage banter to even the way she moved she was in absolute control. The great Tom Waits uses his body as an extension of the music when he performs. Though the movements seem herky jerky, if you watched Waits live you saw how much his dancing mirrored the music. Lorde does the same in her way. Every movement was controlled, deliberate, powerful and sent the adoring crowd into fits of rapturous screaming. It may be a moment since Lorde toured but her fans were waiting eagerly for her return.

Back to the point though she could be headlining arenas. No question that if she chose Lorde could rival anybody for the biggest pop star in the world today. At just 25 the range she displayed last night, from the back to back ferocious energy of “Green Light” to the Sade-esque slow vibes of “Oceanic Feeling” was the type of versatility and skill many artists can only dream of.

From the opening “Leader Of A New Regime” to the one-two punch of “Liability” and “Secrets From A Girl (Who’s Seen It All),” she reminded again and again her greatest strength is her songwriting. The depth of storytelling and emotion she conveys in her songs is literary. And when you have that ability to reach people everything else falls into place.

So yes, Lorde could be dominating the charts and headlining Coachella. But, as she mentioned last night, she was very happy to be playing what she called, “This intimate, beautiful venue.” And she was fully in her element in the smaller space, engaging with fans, running side to side on the stage and speaking often with both humor and vulnerability.

If there is one artist that kept coming to mind last night it was the brilliant Fiona Apple. Apple, of course, like Lorde, started out as a teenage pop star. But Apple decided she wanted no part of the fame and went the career artist route instead, releasing albums when she saw fit, doing very few interviews, answering to no one. Just releasing masterpieces like Fetch The Bolt Cutters when she sees fit.

One could easily see Lorde following that path. Or maybe she will decide she wants the fame and make another run at the top of the pop charts. As she showed on stage last night, the music world is going to be Lorde’s playground for years and years to come. And whatever path she follows it will be compelling and remarkable to watch what portends to be an incredible career play out.