Celebrating the release of her fourth studio album, “Virgin,” New Zealand pop artist Lorde brought her “Ultrasound Tour” to Boston’s TD Garden Sept. 26. Despite the scale of the sold-out arena, the night couldn’t have felt more intimate and vulnerable. Lorde stripped—both literally and figuratively—away the flashiness, often expected at pop concerts, choosing instead to let her authenticity, vocals and lyrics carry the arena. The setlist, featuring all 11 tracks from “Virgin” alongside fan favorites from her earlier albums, guided the audience through a powerful and raw night.
Opening for Lorde was Amber Mary, better known as “The Japanese House,” followed by alternative artist “Blood Orange” (Devonté Hynes). An amazing start for Boston, the two openers set the perfect tone and built anticipation for what was yet to come. Jumping straight into “Hammer” as Lorde’s opening act, the song’s pulsating synthetic beat energized the arena, creating a beautiful, surreal and unforgettable experience.
As the night went on, Lorde performed some of her biggest hits from “Pure Heroine,” including “Royals” and “Buzzcut Season,” along with “Broken Glass,” “Favorite Daughter,” “Shapeshifter,” and “Current Affairs.” She also sang “Perfect Places” from “Melodrama” before moving into “Supercut,” where she took a creative approach of performing on a treadmill. While visually exciting to watch, it also showcased her range. An incredibly challenging task; jogging while singing, yet she sounded almost identical to the studio version.
In typical Lorde fashion, she consistently radiated vulnerability, especially during her performance of “Current Affairs.” In a bold move, she stripped down mid-performance, removing her pants and revealing her Calvin Klein briefs as if she were in a world alone. For probably many artists, an act as fearless might feel too risky, but for Lorde, it only strengthened her bond with the audience. With a trust so deep, that she wasn’t afraid to present herself in such an exposed position. Her vulnerability once again proved why her artistry resonates with many, as well as her ability to entertain a sold-out arena.
True to Lorde’s signature artistry, her performance was accompanied not by an elaborate production, but by two interpretive dancers. Though seemingly minimal for some, the rawness of her artistic choice allowed Lorde to connect with audiences on multiple levels. Before performing “Liability,” the setlist’s 15th track, she took a moment to speak directly to the crowd.
“It’s as beautiful for more to listen to you, I mean, it’s definitely more beautiful for me to listen to you,” said Lorde.
From the very first song, the crowd’s energy matched her own, singing every word back to her. Showing that as much as we were enjoying her performance, Lorde equally enjoyed our company. Making the overall experience feel both personal and shared. As she sang “Liability,” Lorde became visibly emotional, crying as she sang, “They say, ‘you’re a little much for me/ You’re a liability’/ I understand I’m a liability.”
The lyrics, something I think everybody can relate to, describe what it feels like to be too much for others, too intense, too emotional and challenging to be fully accepted. It captures the pressures of living up to others expectations in a world that can often feel overwhelming. Hearing it live, the vulnerability in Lorde’s voice filled the space; her openness was impossible to ignore. Her performance was a reflection of what it means to be human, making the experience all the more personal for everyone in the audience.
“David,” easily the most anticipated song on the setlist, offered another unforgettable experience. For this performance, Lorde stepped down into the pit, walking through the crowd and allowing fans to surround her as she sang. By placing herself amongst the audience, she showcased an incredible amount of trust, inviting hundreds into her world. It was a rare example of an artist breaking the barrier between the stage and the crowd, leaving a lasting impression and creating an extraordinary sense of closeness.
With a perfect way to ease the night towards its close, “A World Alone”—originally not on the set list—was played as the second-to-last song.
“Now Boston, we knew you would be special, but we didn’t know it’d be like this…we’re gonna play a song we haven’t played in a while,” said Lorde.
Lorde, clearly fed off the crowd’s excitement and energy, rewarded Boston with a “Pure Heroine” standout hit. The performance felt celebratory, creating a perfect bridge between the high-energy moments earlier in the night and the emotional final song to come, “Ribs.”
Arguably her most nostalgic and bittersweet track, “Ribs” provided the perfect emotional conclusion to an unforgettable night. Even in a massive, sold-out arena, the space felt intimate as thousands of fans got to share a collective experience of Lorde’s artistry. Earlier in the night, Lorde reflected on that uniqueness.
“So many people have something in common that brings them together to spend this night in a room together, it’s very, very cool,” said Lorde.
The rawness and vulnerability she displayed throughout the concert was written all over her final performance, leaving the audience with a new sense of intimacy and utter awe. With Boston only being her sixth stop of the tour, she will continue traveling the world up until March 22, 2026, bringing her unforgettable performances to fans everywhere.
