Career Timeline of Lorde: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Lorde, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Lorde, born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, is a highly acclaimed New Zealand singer-songwriter. She rose to international fame with her debut album "Pure Heroine" in 2013, known for its minimalist production and introspective lyrics that resonated with a young audience. Lorde's music often explores themes of adolescence, fame, and societal critique. Her subsequent albums, such as "Melodrama" and "Solar Power," further showcase her artistic evolution and songwriting abilities, cementing her position as a significant figure in contemporary pop music. She is celebrated for her unique sound and thoughtful approach to pop.
1 day ago : Lorde Discusses UltraSound Tour, Arena Shows, and Onstage Chest Taping with Fans.
Lorde's UltraSound Tour includes the singer discussing subverting arena shows and taping her chest onstage. A review of her performance at the Greek Theatre notes she wowed fans.
1950: Inspiration from 'There Will Come Soft Rains'
While writing her second album, Melodrama, Lorde cited the 1950 science fiction short story "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury as inspiration for much of Melodrama's story, relating it to her own realities she faced.
1971: David Bowie Tribute Performance
At the 2016 Brit Awards in February, Lorde and David Bowie's final touring band gave a tribute performance of his 1971 song "Life on Mars".
1985: Cover Song Release
In November 2013, Lorde covered Tears for Fears' 1985 song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack.
1986: Influence of Paul Simon's Graceland
While writing her second album, Melodrama, Lorde frequently listened to Paul Simon's 1986 album Graceland while riding subways in New York City and in taxis in Auckland.
1987: Youngest Artist to Top Billboard Since Tiffany
In 2013, with "Royals" hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Lorde became the youngest artist to earn a number-one single in the United States since Tiffany in 1987.
2008: Reference to Adele's album '19'
In February 2014, Pure Heroine became the first debut album by a female artist since Adele's 2008 album 19 to sell over one million copies in the US.
May 2009: Talent Show Win
In May 2009, Lorde and her friend Louis McDonald won the Belmont Intermediate School annual talent show as a duo.
November 2009: Third place at Battle of the Bands
On 18 November 2009, Lorde was part of the Belmont Intermediate School band Extreme, which placed third in the North Shore Battle of the Bands finals at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland.
2009: Signs with Universal Music Group
In 2009, Lorde gained recognition as a teenager from a talent show performance and signed with Universal Music Group (UMG).
2010: "Ella & Louis" Duet Formed
In 2010, Lorde and McDonald formed a duet called "Ella & Louis" and performed covers live at local venues.
November 2011: Original Song Performances and Collaboration with Joel Little
In November 2011, Lorde performed her original songs for the first time at the Victoria Theatre. In December 2011, she began working with Joel Little.
2011: Collaboration with Joel Little Begins
In 2011, Lorde began collaborating with producer Joel Little.
2011: Vocal Lessons and Producer Partnerships
In 2011, Lorde received vocal lessons from Frances Dickinson, and UMG attempted to partner her with producers and songwriters.
November 2012: Self-Release of The Love Club EP on SoundCloud
In November 2012, Lorde self-released The Love Club EP through her SoundCloud account for free download.
2012: Self-Release of The Love Club EP
In 2012, Lorde and Joel Little's first effort, an extended play (EP) titled The Love Club EP, was self-released for free download on SoundCloud.
March 2013: Commercial Release of The Love Club EP
In March 2013, UMG commercially released The Love Club EP after it gained popularity through free downloads.
September 2013: Release of Pure Heroine
In September 2013, Lorde's debut album Pure Heroine, containing the single "Royals", was released to critical acclaim.
November 2013: Publishing Deal with Songs Music Publishing
In November 2013, Lorde signed a publishing deal with Songs Music Publishing for a reported US$2.5 million.
2013: New Zealand Music Awards and APRA Silver Scroll Award
After her breakthrough, Lorde won four New Zealand Music Awards at the 2013 ceremony. The single "Royals" earned the APRA Silver Scroll Award.
2013: Inclusion on Songs for the Philippines
In 2013, "The Love Club" was included in the charity album Songs for the Philippines to support the people in the Philippines who suffered from Typhoon Haiyan.
2013: Recognition as New Queen of Alternative
In 2013, Billboard named Lorde the "New Queen of Alternative" in a cover story, recognizing her impact on rock and alternative radio.
2013: Commercial Release of The Love Club EP and Royals Success
In 2013, The Love Club EP was commercially released after gaining traction on SoundCloud. Its single "Royals" topped charts globally and sold 10 million units. Lorde's debut album Pure Heroine was also released that year.
February 2014: Pure Heroine Reaches One Million Copies Sold in the US
In February 2014, Pure Heroine sold over one million copies in the United States, making Lorde the first female artist since Adele in 2008 to achieve this with a debut album.
April 2014: Performance with Nirvana at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In April 2014, Lorde joined the surviving members of Nirvana to perform "All Apologies" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
2014: Decision Not to Return to School
In 2014, Lorde chose not to return to Takapuna Grammar School to attend Year 13, focusing on her music career.
2014: Curated The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 Soundtrack
In 2014, Lorde curated the soundtrack for the film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.
2015: Golden Globe Nomination
In 2015, Lorde earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song for "Yellow Flicker Beat" and won Single of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards.
2015: Recording Charity Single with Kiwis Cure Batten
In 2015, Lorde recorded "Team Ball Player Thing", a charity single, as part of the supergroup Kiwis Cure Batten. All sales from the song went towards research for the cure of Batten disease.
2016: Inspiration from Frank Ocean's Blonde
During the recording process of her second album, Melodrama, Lorde stated that Frank Ocean's 2016 album Blonde inspired her to eschew "traditional song structures."
March 2017: Release of Green Light
In March 2017, Lorde released "Green Light", the lead single from her second studio album Melodrama, to critical acclaim.
May 2017: Pure Heroine Sales Update
As of May 2017, Pure Heroine had sold four million copies worldwide.
June 2017: Album Sales and Certified Single Units
As of June 2017, Lorde had sold over five million albums worldwide and 37 million certified single units in the United States.
June 2017: Melodrama Album Release and Critical Acclaim
In June 2017, Lorde released her album Melodrama, which received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. The album had introspective, post-breakup lyrics.
December 2017: Cancellation of Israel Concert
In December 2017, Lorde cancelled her scheduled June 2018 concert in Israel following an online campaign by Palestinian solidarity activists supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. Lorde admitted she was unaware of the political turmoil and felt cancellation was the right decision at this time.
2017: Melodrama Album Release
In 2017, Lorde collaborated with Jack Antonoff on her album Melodrama, which received widespread critical acclaim and debuted atop the Billboard 200.
2017: Lorde on Genre
In a 2017 interview with NME, Lorde declared "I don't think about staying in my genre lane".
March 2018: North American Leg of Melodrama Tour
In March 2018, Lorde's North American leg of her Melodrama tour was held, featuring Run the Jewels, Mitski, and Tove Styrke as opening acts.
June 2018: Scheduled Israel Concert Cancellation
Lorde's scheduled concert in Israel, which was to take place in June 2018, was cancelled due to a political controversy following an online campaign by Palestinian solidarity activists supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.
November 2018: Patron of MusicHelps
In November 2018, Lorde became a patron of MusicHelps, formerly the New Zealand Music Foundation, a musical charity helping New Zealanders who are vulnerable to or experiencing serious health issues.
January 2019: Visit to Antarctica
In January 2019, Lorde visited Antarctica, which was later documented in her book "Going South", released in November 2020.
May 2020: Started Working on Third Album
In May 2020, Lorde revealed that she started working on her third studio album with Jack Antonoff, following the death of her dog Pearl.
November 2020: Release of 'Going South' Book
In November 2020, Lorde announced the release of "Going South", a book documenting her January 2019 visit to Antarctica with photos taken by photographer Harriet Were.
May 2021: Primavera Sound Headlining Act
On 25 May 2021, Lorde was announced as a headlining act for Primavera Sound's June 2022 festival, marking her first live performance in over two years.
September 2021: Release of Te Ao Mārama
On 9 September 2021, Lorde released "Te Ao Mārama" as a companion piece to "Solar Power". The EP is sung entirely in Te Reo Māori, with translations by Hana Mereraiha, Sir Tīmoti Kāretu, and Hēmi Kelly, and led by Dame Hinewehi Mohi. All proceeds are going towards two New Zealand-based charities: Forest & Bird and Te Hua Kawariki.
2021: Solar Power Album Release
In 2021, Lorde explored indie folk and psychedelic styles on her album Solar Power, which received polarized reactions from critics and listeners.
June 2022: Headlining Act for Primavera Sound
Lorde performed as a headlining act for Primavera Sound's June 2022 festival, which was announced in May 2021, marking her first live show in over two years.
August 2023: Debut of 'Silver Moon' and 'Invisible Ink'
In August 2023, Lorde debuted the songs "Silver Moon" and "Invisible Ink" during her concert at the Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall, England.
September 2024: Collaboration with Charli XCX and Signing with UMPG
In September 2024, Lorde collaborated with Charli XCX on a remix of "Girl, So Confusing", performing the track at Charli XCX's Madison Square Garden concert. Jennifer Knoepfle confirmed Lorde had signed with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) earlier that year, with the remix being her first release as a UMPG songwriter.
April 2025: Teasing 'WWT' on TikTok
In April 2025, Lorde cleared her Instagram feed and shared a music snippet, later revealed as "WWT" (short for "What Was That"), on TikTok. This was her first original solo single since Solar Power.
April 2025: Coachella Performance and Collaboration with Charli XCX
In April 2025, Lorde performed a remix of "Girl, So Confusing" with Charli XCX at the Coachella music festival.
June 2025: Release of 'Virgin' and Glastonbury Performance
In June 2025, Lorde's fourth studio album, "Virgin", was released. She performed the album in its entirety during an unannounced set at the Glastonbury Festival on the same day. The album debuted at number one on official charts in multiple countries and Lorde became the first New Zealand artist to have six tracks simultaneously chart on the Aotearoa Music Charts.
2025: Virgin Album Release
In 2025, Lorde worked with Jim-E Stack on her fourth studio album Virgin, returning to electronic-based pop music, which garnered more positive reception.
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