Lorde ascends the staircase of her sundial in a transparent sequined gown for a performance of “Sober” from her sophomore album “Melodrama.” Justice Lewis
The irony of a day filled with relentless thunderstorms and the Chicago “Hawk” circling mercilessly, ending with the first of two sold-out “Solar Power” performances at the Chicago Theatre, is uncanny.
Lorde, born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, quickly rose to fame in 2013 when “Royals,” the lead single from her debut album “Pure Heroine,” gained a cult following from a generation navigating an unprecedented relationship with sadness and growing up. After releasing her critically acclaimed sophomore album “Melodrama,” Lorde’s agency as a voice of Gen Z was strengthened.
Recently, footage resurfaced on TikTok of Lorde shushing her fans while performing an a cappella rendition of “Writer in the Dark” during her Melodrama tour. This, coupled with the mixed response to her Aug. 20 album release of “Solar Power” — a light-infused, mystical venture from her previously tormented sound — left fans unsure of what to expect from Lorde’s return to the stage.
The “Melodrama” to “Solar Power” pipeline is a fully realized transition from the angst-inducing entrance into early adulthood to the subdued happiness that accompanies maturing peacefully.
It is safe to say the worries of longtime fans of Lorde were quelled during her exhilarating performance April 22 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.
The show opened with an electrifying performance by genre anomaly Remi Wolf, which was filled with high knees, twerking and an energy so infectious the crowd rose to its feet immediately — a true feat for any opener.
Wolf was so overcome with excitement that the singer nearly fell over several times as she performed songs such as “Disco Man,” “Sexy Villain,” and the TikTok viral hit “Photo ID.”
Later, as the theatre lights dimmed, screams arose from the enthusiastic crowd as the silhouette of Lorde appeared through the stage’s dominant set piece: …….
