By Julia DiFiori
Life Editor
If you’re never done with killing time, kill it with Lorde on her 2014 North American “Pure Heroine” album tour.
Although the visual elements in her show evoked mixed results, Lorde’s naturally talented vocal performance and stage presence were engaging, providing an unforgettable concert experience in the mystical setting of the tree-lined Greek Theatre.
Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, also known as Lorde, is a New Zealand-born singer-songwriter who signed with Universal Music Group as a young teenager. She gained her popularity and fame with the 2013 release of her single ‘Royals.’ She began her North American tour in the fall of 2014.
Throughout the concert, Lorde maintained her stage presence through her distinctive and unrestrained dance movements, bending over completely until her face was hidden by her long hair. Further adding to the dynamic nature of the show, she quickly changed costumes in between songs, preventing the concert from ever becoming static. Most importantly, Lorde’s phenomenal vocals kept her performance captivating, which easily matched the quality of her recorded work.
The performance was bolstered by the impeccable acoustics of the Greek Theatre, which provided a clear sound throughout the show. Tall trees enclose the theatre and add a hint of natural beauty to boost the atmosphere of the open-air concert, which created the ideal mood for the beautifully eerie sound and style of Lorde’s music.
The most captivating performance of the night was “Yellow Flicker Beat,” a song off “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” soundtrack. The meaningful lyrics coupled with the ominous melody made the song a noteworthy track. The performance also used appropriately simple video visuals, standing alone in a concert otherwise filled with more confusing visual effects.
However, this song proved to be the only instance of tasteful visuals, as an unnecessary amount of video additions overwhelmed her vocals and lacked cohesion, detracting from the musical performances they intended to amplify. This flaw was glaringly obvious during Lorde’s performance of “Royals,” when the video screens played footage of two different male actors sitting on stools, switching to snapshots of a black-and-white bull terrier during the chorus. The dramatic artistry served only to confuse and unsettle.
Despite some flaws in stage visuals, Lorde’s performance at the Greek Theatre enchanted with Lorde’s impressive vocals and engaging stage presence.
Lorde wrapped up her tour with a show at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater in San Diego on Oct. 10.
Leave a Reply