Quick Read
- Lorde launched her Ultrasound World Tour in Austin on September 17, 2025.
- The tour supports her fourth album, Virgin, which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard 200.
- The Austin setlist featured new tracks and the return of ‘No Better’ live since 2014.
- 53 shows are scheduled across North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
- Tickets are available via Lorde’s official website.
Lorde’s Triumphant Return: Ultrasound World Tour Begins in Austin
On a warm September evening in Austin, the Moody Center pulsed with anticipation. It wasn’t just another concert—it was the highly awaited launch of Lorde’s Ultrasound World Tour, her first global trek since the Solar Power Tour wrapped up in Portugal two years ago. Fans, some traveling hundreds of miles, gathered with a singular hope: to witness the evolution of an artist who has never stopped surprising them.
Virgin: A New Chapter in Lorde’s Sonic Journey
This tour supports Lorde’s fourth studio album, Virgin, released in June 2025 to critical acclaim and chart success. Debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, Virgin instantly became her most commercially successful record since Melodrama in 2017. The album’s themes—raw vulnerability, shifting identity, and the search for clarity—resonate throughout the live show, weaving old favorites with new revelations.
Virgin’s success is more than numbers. For Lorde, the album represents a creative rebirth. With tracks like “Favourite Daughter” and “Clearblue,” she explores the complexities of adulthood and fame with an honesty that feels both personal and universal. The Ultrasound World Tour is her chance to share these stories, not just through sound, but through moments of connection with her audience.
Setlist: Old Gems, Fresh Sounds, and Emotional Surprises
The Austin crowd was treated to a setlist that spanned Lorde’s entire discography. She opened with “Hammer,” setting the tone with pulsating energy. Fan-favorites like “Royals,” “Team,” and “Green Light” brought the crowd to their feet, while new tracks like “Shapeshifte” and “GRWM” introduced listeners to the sonic textures of Virgin.
One of the evening’s most poignant moments came when Lorde performed “No Better” live for the first time since 2014. The song’s reappearance wasn’t just a nostalgic nod—it felt like a bridge between eras, connecting early fans to the present. Extended intros and outros, especially on tracks like “Supercut,” “The Louvre,” and “Clearblue,” transformed familiar songs into immersive experiences, each note lingering in the air.
The full setlist from Austin:
- Hammer
- Royals
- Broken Glass
- Buzzcut Season
- Favourite Daughter
- Perfect Places
- Shapeshifte
- Current Affairs
- Supercut (extended intro)
- No Better (first time live since 2014)
- GRWM
- The Louvre (extended intro)
- Oceanic Feeling
- Big Star
- Liability (extended intro)
- Clearblue (extended intro and outro)
- Man of the Year
- If She Could See Me Now (extended intro)
- Team
- What Was That
- Green Light
- David
- Ribs
Every song choice seemed intentional, each transition seamless. Lorde’s ability to revisit past work while forging ahead with new material created a narrative arc that kept fans engaged from the first note to the last.
A Tour Spanning Continents: Where Lorde Will Go Next
The Ultrasound World Tour is ambitious—53 shows, spread across North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. From the United Center in Chicago to London’s iconic O2 Arena, each venue promises a unique flavor, shaped by local fans and Lorde’s ever-changing setlist.
Some highlights:
- North America: After Austin, Lorde heads to Chicago, Nashville, Toronto, New York, and more, often supported by artists like Chanel Beads and The Japanese House.
- Europe: The tour crosses Luxembourg, Paris, Manchester, London, Dublin, Amsterdam, and several major cities, with support from Oklou, Jim-E Stack, Blood Orange, and Nilüfer Yanya.
- New Zealand & Australia: February 2026 brings the tour home for Lorde, with shows in Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
Tickets are selling fast, with fans advised to purchase through Lorde’s official website to secure entry.
Why This Tour Feels Different
Lorde has always been more than a pop star. She’s a storyteller, a curator of emotion, and a conductor of collective catharsis. The Ultrasound World Tour, shaped by the introspection of Virgin and the nostalgia of earlier hits, is an invitation to experience her artistry in full color.
What sets this tour apart is Lorde’s willingness to revisit and reinterpret her catalogue. Songs like “No Better” and “Liability” are not just performed—they’re reborn, layered with new meaning. Extended intros and outros allow moments to breathe, giving the audience space to reflect and react.
For longtime fans, the show feels like a reunion. For newcomers, it’s a welcome into a community united by music and shared emotion. For Lorde herself, it’s a statement: she’s not just back—she’s evolved.
The Ripple Effect: Fans, Critics, and Industry Response
Early reviews from the Austin show have been enthusiastic. Reuters notes Lorde’s “magnetic stage presence” and her “ability to make even the largest arenas feel intimate.” Social media buzzed with clips of “No Better,” proving the enduring power of a deep cut revived.
Industry insiders are watching closely. Virgin’s strong sales and the tour’s ambitious scope suggest Lorde is not simply sustaining her career—she’s expanding it, setting new benchmarks for creative longevity in pop music.
As the tour continues, each city will add its own chapter to the Ultrasound story. If Austin is any indication, audiences everywhere are in for a night of music that feels both fresh and timeless.
Lorde’s Ultrasound World Tour is more than a showcase of hits—it’s a living testament to reinvention. By weaving together the threads of her past and present, Lorde crafts a narrative that resonates far beyond the stage. Her willingness to experiment, revisit old ground, and invite fans into her evolving world marks her as one of pop’s most compelling voices. The journey, it seems, is only just beginning.