What began as an electric buzz among fans in Washington Square Park quickly turned into confusion, disappointment — and ultimately, a surprise moment of joy — as pop icon Lorde attempted to debut her new song, “What Was That,” at a pop-up event in New York City.
The unannounced concert, initially planned for the evening of Saturday, April 20, appeared to be part of a viral rollout for Lorde’s highly anticipated single, which officially drops on April 25. Earlier this month, the New Zealand-born singer had teased a snippet of the track on TikTok, stirring speculation that something more elaborate was in store. She soon confirmed that a song titled “What Was That” was indeed on the way.
By Saturday morning, fans began to connect the dots when Lorde posted a video filmed in Washington Square Park. Then, at 7 p.m., the singer sent out a mass text to her fanbase: “Meet me in the park.” It was all fans needed to know.
Crowds quickly gathered at the iconic Greenwich Village location, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive singer and perhaps hear her perform the new song live for the first time. Anticipation reached a fever pitch as hundreds of fans filled the park, with some climbing trees or lampposts in hopes of getting a better view. By 6:45 p.m., the excitement was palpable.
🚨 Lorde at Washington Square Park playing “What Was That”!!pic.twitter.com/SnH2XOsVSB
— Lorde Updates 🧬⛓️ (@LordeUpdatesBR) April 23, 2025
But just minutes before the event was seemingly set to begin, Lorde took to Instagram with disappointing news.
“Omg @thepark the cops are shutting us down,” she wrote in her Instagram story at 6:50 p.m. “I am truly amazed by how many of you showed up!! But they’re telling me you gotta disperse … I’m so sorry.”
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The surprise event had attracted such a large turnout that New York Police Department officers intervened, citing crowd safety concerns. Without the proper permits for a live performance, the gathering was deemed unsafe and ordered to disband. While some fans began to leave, many chose to stay — hopeful that something might still happen.
And they were right.
Around 8 p.m., Lorde’s longtime friend and collaborator Dev Hynes, also known as Blood Orange, arrived at the park carrying a portable speaker. Moments later, the unmistakable sounds of “What Was That” began playing through the speaker, thrilling the lingering crowd.
Fans danced, sang along, and filmed the moment, many expressing awe that the singer would still find a way to share the track with them, even without a stage.
Then came the night’s biggest twist.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., Lorde herself returned to Washington Square Park — not to perform, but to dance. The pop star, dressed casually and blending easily with the fans, swayed and moved with the music as “What Was That” played once again over the speakers. The impromptu moment became a viral sensation within minutes, with footage shared widely across TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
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While there was no live performance, the brief appearance was enough to ignite excitement among fans and reinforce Lorde’s signature connection to her audience — one that blends spontaneity, intimacy, and a little mystery.
The choice of Washington Square Park was no coincidence. The historic location has long been a gathering place for artistic expression and counterculture, making it a fitting venue for the unconventional singer-songwriter to host an event that defies traditional music industry norms.
The song itself, “What Was That,” marks Lorde’s first new release since her 2021 album Solar Power, which received mixed critical reactions but continued to highlight the artist’s evolving sound and lyrical introspection. While the full track is yet to be released, fans at the park described it as “dreamy,” “groovy,” and “classic Lorde with a twist.”
“Even though we didn’t get a performance, it was magical,” said fan Sarah Kim, 23, who traveled from New Jersey for the event. “She still showed up. She still made the night special. That’s why we love her.”
Music industry insiders believe the pop-up aligns with a growing trend of immersive and intimate fan experiences used to promote new releases — a strategy that fits Lorde’s minimalist yet emotionally resonant brand.
“Lorde doesn’t do anything accidentally,” said music journalist Robert Daniels. “Her decision to cancel the official event for safety, but still find a way to engage with fans, shows how much she values the moment — and her audience. It’s rare to see an artist who can maintain mystique and authenticity at the same time.”
Whether Saturday night was a one-time promotional stunt or the beginning of a series of guerilla-style appearances remains to be seen. Lorde has kept much of her new project under wraps, aside from a few cryptic TikTok clips and snippets of lyrics.
“What Was That” is set for release on all streaming platforms April 25. In the meantime, fans continue to dissect every second of the Washington Square Park footage, hoping to uncover more about the direction of her new music — and perhaps what’s next.
As one fan wrote on TikTok after the surprise appearance, “Lorde might have been shut down, but she still stole the night.”
