Earlier this month, the renowned pop sensation Lorde, teasing her fans about the imminent release of her first album in four years, shared a captivating TikTok video, depicting her casually strolling through what seemed to be Washington Square Park while a snippet of her latest track, "What Was That," gently echoed in the background.
On Tuesday, in an eager surge of emails and texts to her devoted followers, Lorde excitedly beckoned, "Meet me in the park. Tonight 7 p.m." She refrained from specifying which park, yet the message was clear as day.
By the stroke of 6 p.m., Washington Square in Greenwich Village had transformed into a vibrant hub of youthful excitement, with hundreds of eager souls descending upon the locale. The air was filled with the upbeat tunes of Lorde's hits, while some indulged in the carefree act of smoking marijuana, and a few adventurous spirits climbed trees for a prime view of a concert that was yet to materialize.
As the appointed hour drew nearer, whispers began to circulate that the Police Department had dealt a blow to the concert's fate. Many in the dense crowd clung to hope, praying that the rumors were merely mischievous whispers.
Siddhi Vora and Brady Arellano, two friends who had ventured to the park together, were among those who resolutely waited. Ms. Vora, aged 26, expressed her reluctance to leave, fearing that their departure might coincide with Lorde's arrival. Mr. Arellano, 27, adopted a philosophical stance, remarking, "We were just saying that this feels like the harbinger of summer. If she doesn't show up, it's as if summer itself is still in hibernation."
Summer, it seemed, was in a holding pattern.
Just shy of 7 p.m., Lorde posted an Instagram story, acknowledging the heartbreaking truth that the anticipated show was off the cards. "Omg @thepark the cops are shutting us down," she lamented. "I am utterly astounded by the overwhelming number of you who showed up!!! But they insist that you must disperse… I'm truly sorry."
A spokesperson for the Parks and Recreation Department confirmed that the city had thwarted the concert due to a lack of permits. The department, "in collaboration with the N.Y.P.D. and the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Special Events, worked diligently with the organizers to safely cancel the unauthorized event," said the spokesperson, Meghan Lalor.
"To host a concert in a New York City park, both a sound permit and a parks authorization are indispensable," emphasized a police spokesman. "However, this individual lacked both essentials." Representatives of Lorde remained silent in response to a request for commentary.
In some respects, this impromptu, unsanctioned gathering mirrored an event orchestrated by social media sensation Kai Cenat at Union Square Park in August 2023, albeit with a crucial distinction: In that scenario, thousands of his ardent followers descended into a chaotic fray after law enforcement intervened to dismantle the event.
Initially, Mr. Cenat faced charges of inciting a riot. Yet, these accusations were subsequently withdrawn once he agreed to issue a public apology and compensate for the damages perpetrated by his predominantly young, male fanbase.
In Lorde's instance, despite her instructions to disperse, many of those she had summoned to the park lingered, either clinging to the hope that she might still make an appearance or simply because, on a delightful spring evening, they found no better alternative.
"I'm just going to wait it out," said Alexa Hamilton, 26, who had ventured to the park straight from her job in SoHo. "Why not? I'm not in a rush for anything right now, so I might as well hang around until the crowd thins out a bit and it's easier to navigate my way out."
As the tunes continued to resonate, Lorde's anticipated performance transformed into a spirited Lorde dance party. At approximately 8 p.m., when it became apparent that, despite their peaceful demeanor, many attendees were unwilling to disperse voluntarily, around half a dozen police officers ventured into the dense crowd. They were met with a chorus of boos that echoed through the air.
Within minutes, the speaker, which had been playing the music, was abruptly silenced midway through "Royals," the track that propelled Lorde, now 28, to Grammy glory for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance in 2013.
