On June 27, fans at Glastonbury Festival were treated to a major surprise when Lorde took the stage for an unannounced performance just hours after releasing her highly anticipated fourth album, Virgin.
The unexpected appearance took place at 11:30 AM on the Woodsies stage, originally listed as “TBA” in the festival program.
Rumors began swirling on Thursday evening after the New Zealand pop star shared a cryptic Instagram story showing an aerial shot of the Woodsies tent with the unfilled timeslot.
Festivalgoers responded swiftly, crowding the area early in anticipation. By 10:30 AM, the tent had reached capacity, prompting organizers to restrict entry.
The secret set marked Lorde’s first Glastonbury performance since her 2022 Pyramid Stage appearance and offered fans an intimate glimpse of her new musical direction.
The performance included several tracks from Virgin, which was released globally just hours earlier. Notably, she opened with the album’s lead single “Hammer,” setting the tone for a bold, emotionally charged show.
Virgin explores themes of autonomy, identity, and womanhood with a more experimental soundscape. Lorde’s Glastonbury appearance was widely seen as a strategic move—blending live music buzz with a major album drop to maximize impact. Critics and fans alike praised the synergy between the surprise set and the deeply personal nature of the new songs.
Festival coverage also hinted at more unannounced performances later in the day, keeping attendees on edge for further surprises.
The move reinforces Glastonbury’s reputation as a space for spontaneity and artistry and confirms Lorde’s return to the spotlight as both calculated and captivating.
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