Gig Review: Lorde at Metro Theatre

Last night I was lucky to attend one of two sold out shows to see the dame de jour Lorde at Sydney’s Metro Theatre.

The little lady took the stage at about 10pm playing a modest 45minute set.  Whilst I did expect it would be this length as she only has the one album and one EP, I was hoping her youthful energy would permit her to play a little longer. Maybe it was past her bedtime?

Lorde (real name Ella Yelich-O'Connor) took to the stage in a curve hugging sultry red number with her statement locks flying free. I must give props to the girl for performing under all that hair! She was joined on stage by only a drummer and a guy on Synth.

She opened with my personal favourite Bravado from The Love Club EP. I had my reservations about her performance going in as she is only 16 and hasn’t been in the game very long. She proved me wrong. Ella definitely holds her own. She has a very… original way of moving. Whenever there was a heavy bass presence she looked something like a zombie marionette. 

A little bit of this…

Mixed with this...

I joke but I am actually really impressed by her originality. It’s nice to see a female artist not giving in to the societal pressures of twerking.

Her performance drove the crowd wild. She had a few die-hard fans in the front row who didn’t want it to end. She sailed through a mixture of tracks from her EP and her eagerly anticipated debut Heroine including Biting down, Glory & Gore, Tennis Court and of course Royals. Disappointingly she didn’t do Team, which is getting a lot of airplay right now. 

Lorde completed her set sans encore. I had previously heard that she is not in favour of them and I have to agree. They are a great opportunity for artists to sneak off for a quick coke-break if required but otherwise I say just get on with the show. As long as their absence doesn't reduce the duration of the set I am happy to hear everything in one go.

There is no doubt why this young woman is one of the most talked about artists of 2013. Watching that 16 year old's entrancing performance has made me reflect on how little I have achieved in my 24 years. I may always resent you for that one Ella.