On November 23, 2025, Manchester’s Victoria Station pulsed with an electricity rarely seen outside of festival season. Throngs of teenagers and twenty-somethings streamed into the arena, decked out in blue skeleton shirts—a nod to Lorde’s 2013 hit “Ribs” and the X-ray inspired artwork of her latest album, Virgin. The anticipation was palpable. As one grizzly-haired dad, duct tape strapped across his chest in homage to the “Man of the Year” music video, settled in with the crowd, it was clear: Lorde’s ULTRASOUND tour had arrived, and for many, this was more than just a concert. It was a generational gathering, a celebration of music that’s both a mirror and a memory for its audience.
The night opened with producer Jim-E Stack behind the decks, spinning through his own catalog—including Caroline Polachek’s “Welcome to my Island” and “Silver Moon,” an unreleased Lorde track first teased during her Solar Power tour. The energy didn’t dip as Dev Hynes, better known as Blood Orange, took the stage for a headline-worthy support set. According to The Mancunion, his 2011 hit “Champagne Coast” received a standing ovation, its recent resurgence as a summer anthem fueling the crowd’s excitement.
As the blue lights faded and the crowd’s chatter dissolved into a low hum, Lorde herself emerged to the opening pulses of “Hammer,” the first track from Virgin. What followed was a carefully crafted setlist that played like a greatest hits collection for a generation: “Royals,” “Broken Glass,” “Buzzcut Season,” “Favourite Daughter,” and “Perfect Places” all came in quick succession, each greeted by a wall of sound from the twenty thousand-strong audience.
The show’s second act peeled back the layers—literally and figuratively. Lorde stripped down to her underwear during “Current Affairs,” holding a camera to her midriff while singing “GRWM.” The vulnerability was palpable, and when she launched into the surprise inclusion of “400 Lux,” alarms blared and the crowd’s screams reached new heights. For a moment, the energy softened as fans took their seats for a pair of Solar Power tracks. The band sprawled on the stage during “Big Star,” a tender elegy that, as noted by The Mancunion, quietly resonated with those who’d followed Lorde’s career through its more understated moments.
One of the most intimate moments came with the “Liability” monologue. Lorde, illuminated by a single spotlight, spoke directly to the crowd over a somber piano melody. “I do not take this for granted,” she assured the silent, grinning faces gazing up at her. She described a journey of stripping away layers to find her core self—“wearing the same clothes that I was wearing as a kid, getting stoned in my hometown.” The honesty struck a chord, grounding the spectacle in something deeply personal and relatable.
The set’s closing stretch was nothing short of euphoric. “Man of the Year” echoed through the arena, followed by the grungy “If She Could See Me Now.” Then, in a moment that felt almost cinematic, Lorde strode through the crowd to the B-stage, parting a sea of star-struck faces. There, she sang “Ribs,” the audience’s hands reaching for her as they chanted back, “you’re the only friend I need.”
According to The Mancunion, what truly set the night apart wasn’t just the music or the spectacle—it was the overwhelming sense of community. Lorde’s art, raw and unfiltered, has always invited listeners to see themselves in her stories. But in Manchester, that invitation felt more like a collective embrace: a reminder that, even in the spotlight, the singer is as ungovernable, unafraid, and unapologetic as ever.
Meanwhile, across the Irish Sea, Lorde’s impact was just as profound. That same weekend, she performed her first headline concert in Ireland in several years at the RDS in Ballsbridge, Dublin. The city was bustling with activity—rugby matches on Lansdowne Road, the “Dublin Loves Christmas” festival, and locals hunkering down for a chilly evening. Yet, as Ballsbridge News reported, what stood out was the warehouse-style venue filling up with eager fans, all united in anticipation for Lorde’s return. The show was an outlier in a night of citywide events, a testament to the singer’s enduring appeal and the loyalty of her Irish audience.
But Lorde isn’t slowing down. On the same day as her Manchester and Dublin performances, news broke that she will headline the 2026 Kilby Block Party in Salt Lake City. The announcement, covered by RTTNews, revealed that the seventh edition of the festival will take place from May 15 to May 17, 2026, at the Utah State Fairpark. Lorde will share top billing with Hayley Williams, The xx, Turnstile, Modest Mouse, and Alex G—a lineup that reads like a who’s who of contemporary indie and alternative music.
The festival promises more than just music. Attendees can look forward to sets by Blood Orange, Lucy Dacus, Father John Misty, Japanese Breakfast, Magdalena Bay, and a long list of others. Beyond the performances, Kilby Block Party is known for its craft vendors, record shopping, and the annual skateboarding competition, The Crusher Cup, presented by Skullcandy. Official aftershows will be held at venues like Urban Lounge, Metro Music Hall, and Kilby Court, ensuring the party continues well into the night.
For fans, the announcement is both a chance to relive the energy of Lorde’s recent shows and to look forward to what’s next. The festival’s diverse lineup and community-driven atmosphere seem a fitting stage for an artist whose music has always thrived on connection and collective experience.
Looking back at the whirlwind of November 23, 2025, it’s hard not to marvel at Lorde’s ability to capture—and command—the spirit of her generation. From Manchester’s arena to Dublin’s warehouse and soon to Salt Lake City’s fairgrounds, her journey is a reminder that music, at its best, is both a time capsule and a rallying cry. For those lucky enough to be in the audience, these nights are sure to linger long after the last note fades.
