There’s a certain curiosity factor about Lorde that seemed to bring out the big crowds on Saturday evening at Coachella.How does the 17-year-old New Zealand native do it?
Everyone apparently wanted to know, from the younger crowd packed around the center of the Outdoor Theatre stage, to the older generation — and even several parents with young kids — who planted themselves on the outskirts.
Lorde, who’s real name is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, manages to incorporate mysterious, cool and family friendly all into one. And for someone so young, her stage presence was remarkable. There was this casual banter with the crowd throughout the set that could easily have come across as forced, yet instead sounded entirely natural and experienced. She paced the stage, making big, dramatic arm motions, her dark hair whipping in the high winds that tore through the festival grounds tonight. It was captivating.
And with her huge, slowed-down single “Royals,” a catchy yet introspective song critical of pop artist luxury, out came a sea of cameras. She followed that up with “Team,” a more upbeat tune that had everyone grooving.
I’d pay to see Lorde again as-is, but at her age she’s only going to get better.