Lorde Surprises Fans with Spontaneous Dance Party in Washington Square Park

The pop sensation Lorde stirred up excitement among her followers with an unexpected performance in Washington Square Park on Tuesday. Without securing a permit, she surprised her fans even more.

Earlier this month, Lorde hinted at dropping her first album in four years by sharing a TikTok video of herself strolling through what seemed to be Washington Square Park, while a snippet of her fresh track “What Was That” played in the background.

On Tuesday, she sent an email and text blast to her fans, urging them to “Meet me in the park. Tonight 7 p.m.” She left the specific park undisclosed, trusting her fans to decipher the location.

By 6 p.m., a lively crowd of young individuals gathered at Washington Square in Greenwich Village, turning the space into a party scene. As Lorde’s hits played, some attendees smoked marijuana, while others climbed trees to secure a prime vantage point for a concert that ultimately didn’t occur.

As the start time neared, rumors circulated that the Police Department had axed the concert. Despite the whispers, many lingered, clinging to the hope that it was just misinformation.

Moments before 7 p.m., Lorde confirmed via Instagram that the concert would not happen. The Parks and Recreation Department later verified the city had stopped the show due to permit issues.

This spontaneous event bore some resemblance to a similar gathering by social media star Kai Cenat at Union Square Park in August 2023. However, that event turned chaotic when police attempted to break it up, unlike Lorde’s relatively peaceful gathering.

Even after being told to disperse, several fans lingered, hopeful for a surprise appearance or simply enjoying the pleasant spring evening.

Instead of the anticipated performance, the gathering morphed into a Lorde-themed dance party. Around 8 p.m., as it became evident that the crowd wouldn’t leave on its own, police officers moved in, receiving boos from the crowd. Midway through “Royals,” which had won Lorde Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance in 2013, the music suddenly stopped.

Defying the police, the music restarted, prompting officers to make their way toward the source. In the ensuing chaos, someone snatched the speaker and began leaving the park, with a trail of fans following.

Soon, the throng spilled onto the street, where music blared and cheers erupted. Those who remained or returned to the park were in for a treat. After 8:30 p.m., Lorde reappeared, mounting a small platform and dancing energetically to “What Was That,” delighting the audience who captured the moment with phones held high.