History of Lorde in Timeline
Lorde, born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, is a New Zealand singer-songwriter celebrated for her unique and introspective approach to pop music. She gained international recognition at a young age with her debut album *Pure Heroine* (2013), which featured the hit single "Royals". Her music often explores themes of youth, fame, and societal critique. Lorde has released two subsequent albums, *Melodrama* (2017) and *Solar Power* (2021), further solidifying her status as a critically acclaimed and influential artist in contemporary music.
22 hours ago : Lorde Teases New Music Snippet After a Long Hiatus, Sparking Excitement.
Lorde has shared a snippet of new music, signaling her return after a period of absence. This has generated buzz among fans and even prompted discussions about a potential South Park storyline referencing her.
1950: Inspired by "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.
1971: Brit Awards Tribute Performance to David Bowie
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 of Tears for Fears' Song
Later in November 2013, Lorde was featured on the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, performing a cover of Tears for Fears' 1985 song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World".
1986: Listening to Graceland by Paul Simon
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 Earn a Number One Single Since Tiffany
In March 2013, with the success of Royals, Lorde became the youngest artist since Tiffany in 1987 to earn a number-one single in the United States.
November 1996: Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor's Birth
In November 1996, Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, known professionally as Lorde, was born. She is a New Zealand singer and songwriter known for her unconventional pop music style and introspective songwriting.
2002: Influence of Feed by M. T. Anderson
In 2002, the young adult dystopian novel Feed by M. T. Anderson influenced Lorde's songwriting.
2006: Third Place in Speech Competition
In 2006, while attending Vauxhall School, Lorde placed third in the North Shore Primary Schools' Speech competition.
2007: First Place in Speech Competition
In 2007, while attending Vauxhall School, Lorde placed first in the North Shore Primary Schools' Speech competition.
2008: Adele's 19 Album
In February 2014, Lorde became the first female artist since Adele's 2008 album 19 to have her debut album, Pure Heroine, 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 in Battle of the Bands
On 18 November 2009, Lorde's band, Extreme, placed third in the North Shore Battle of the Bands finals at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna, Auckland.
2009: Runner-Up in Kids' Lit Quiz World Finals
In 2009, Lorde and her Belmont team were named the runner-up in the Kids' Lit Quiz World Finals.
2009: Signing with Universal Music Group
In 2009, Lorde gained recognition as a teenager and signed with Universal Music Group (UMG).
2010: Attendance at Takapuna Grammar School
From 2010, Lorde attended Takapuna Grammar School.
2010: Formation of Ella & Louis Duet
In 2010, Lorde and Louis McDonald formed a duet called "Ella & Louis" and performed covers live at local venues.
November 2011: First Performance of Original Songs
In November 2011, Lorde performed her original songs for the first time at the Victoria Theatre.
2011: Collaboration with Joel Little
In 2011, Lorde began collaborating with producer Joel Little.
2011: Vocal Lessons and Producer Partnerships
In 2011, Universal Music Group hired vocal coach Frances Dickinson to give Lorde singing lessons. Scott Maclachlan attempted to partner Lorde with several different producers and songwriters, but without success.
November 2012: Self-Release of The Love Club EP on SoundCloud
In November 2012, Lorde self-released The Love Club EP for free download through her SoundCloud account.
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 and Success of Royals
In March 2013, Universal Music Group commercially released The Love Club after it gained popularity online. "Royals" became a critical and commercial success.
September 2013: Release of Pure Heroine Album
In September 2013, Lorde's debut studio 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.
2013: Included in Songs for the Philippines
In 2013, "The Love Club" was included in the charity album Songs for the Philippines to support the people who suffered from Typhoon Haiyan.
2013: Named "New Queen of Alternative"
In 2013, Billboard named Lorde the "New Queen of Alternative" in a cover story.
2013: Recognition as an Influential Teenager
In 2013, Lorde appeared in Time's list of the most influential teenagers.
2013: Completion of Year 12
In 2013, Lorde completed Year 12 at Takapuna Grammar School.
2013: Commercial Release of The Love Club EP and "Royals" Success
In 2013, The Love Club EP was commercially released after gaining traction online. The EP's single, "Royals", topped charts in multiple regions and spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
2013: Won four New Zealand Music Awards
Lorde won four New Zealand Music Awards at the 2013 ceremony.
February 2014: Pure Heroine Sells Over One Million Copies 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" during the band's induction ceremony at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
December 2014: Parodied in South Park
Lorde was parodied in the South Park episode "Rehash", broadcast in December 2014.
2014: Continued Recognition and Forbes 30 Under 30 Inclusion
In 2014, Lorde appeared in Time's list of the most influential teenagers for the second time and was included in Forbes 30 Under 30.
2014: Decision Not to Return to School
In 2014, Lorde chose not to return to Takapuna Grammar School to attend Year 13, focusing instead on her music career.
2014: Curating The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 Soundtrack
In 2014, Lorde curated the soundtrack for the film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1.
2014: Recognition as an Influential Teenager and Forbes 30 Under 30 Inclusion
In 2014, Time included Lorde on their list of the most influential teenagers, and Forbes placed her on their 30 Under 30 list.
2014: Parents' Engagement Announcement
In 2014, after a 30-year relationship, Lorde's parents announced their engagement.
2015: Billboard 21 Under 21
In 2015, Billboard featured Lorde on their 21 Under 21 list.
2015: Golden Globe Nomination and Collaboration with Disclosure
In 2015, Lorde earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song for "Yellow Flicker Beat" from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 soundtrack. She was also featured on Disclosure's song "Magnets".
2015: Golden Globe Nomination
In 2015, Lorde received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song as a songwriter for "Yellow Flicker Beat".
2015: Recorded "Team Ball Player Thing"
In 2015, Lorde recorded "Team Ball Player Thing", a charity single, as part of the supergroup Kiwis Cure Batten, with all sales going towards research for the cure of Batten disease.
January 2016: Relocation to Ponsonby
In January 2016, Lorde relocated to Ponsonby, an inner-city suburb of Auckland.
2016: End of Relationship with James Lowe
From late 2013 to early 2016, Lorde was in a relationship with New Zealand photographer James Lowe.
2016: Inspired by Frank Ocean's Blonde
While writing 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's lead single from her second studio album Melodrama, "Green Light", was released to critical acclaim.
May 2017: Pure Heroine Sales Milestone
As of May 2017, Lorde's album Pure Heroine had sold four million copies worldwide.
June 2017: Sold Over Five Million Albums
As of June 2017, Lorde had sold over five million albums worldwide.
June 2017: Release of Melodrama
In June 2017, Lorde's album Melodrama was released to widespread critical acclaim, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200.
June 2017: Album Sales Milestone
As of June 2017, Lorde had sold over five million albums worldwide.
December 2017: Lorde Cancels Israel Concert
In December 2017, Lorde cancelled her scheduled June 2018 concert in Israel due to an online campaign supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. She cited her unawareness of the political turmoil and considered cancellation the 'right decision'.
2017: Release of Melodrama Album
In 2017, Lorde collaborated with producer Jack Antonoff for her second studio album Melodrama, which received widespread critical acclaim and debuted atop the US Billboard 200.
2017: Parents' Marriage
In 2017, Lorde's parents married in a private ceremony on Cheltenham Beach.
2017: "I don't think about staying in my genre lane"
In a 2017 interview with NME, Lorde declared "I don't think about staying in my genre lane", in regards to her unconventional pop sound and introspective songwriting.
March 2018: North American Melodrama Tour Leg
In March 2018, Lorde's North American leg of her Melodrama tour took place, featuring Run the Jewels, Mitski, and Tove Styrke as opening acts.
June 2018: Cancelled Israel Concert
Lorde's scheduled concert in Israel was supposed to take place in June 2018, but was cancelled following controversy surrounding the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
November 2018: Became a Patron of MusicHelps
In November 2018, Lorde became a patron of MusicHelps, a musical charity helping New Zealanders who are vulnerable to or experiencing serious health issues.
2018: Number 12 on NPR's influential female musicians
Lorde placed at number 12 on NPR's 2018 readers poll of the most influential female musicians of the 21st century.
January 2019: Visit to Antarctica
In January 2019, Lorde visited Antarctica, an experience that would later be documented in her book, 'Going South'.
May 2020: Working on Third Studio Album
In May 2020, Lorde revealed 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 by Harriet Were.
May 2021: Headlining Act for Primavera Sound
On 25 May 2021, Lorde was announced as a headlining act for Primavera Sound's June 2022 festival, marking her first live show performance in over two years.
September 2021: Release of Te Ao Mārama
On 9 September 2021, Lorde released Te Ao Mārama, a companion piece to Solar Power, sung entirely in Te Reo Māori.
2021: Release of Solar Power Album
In 2021, Lorde ventured into indie folk and psychedelic styles for her third studio album, Solar Power. The album reached number one in Australia and New Zealand but polarised music critics and fans.
June 2022: Primavera Sound Headlining Performance
Lorde headlined Primavera Sound's festival in June 2022, which was her first live show performance in over two years. She was announced as a headlining act in May 2021.
August 2023: Debuted "Silver Moon" and "Invisible Ink" at Boardmasters Festival
In August 2023, Lorde debuted the songs "Silver Moon" and "Invisible Ink" during her concert at the Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall, England.
March 2024: Covered "Take Me to the River"
In March 2024, Lorde covered Al Green's "Take Me to the River" as the third single from A24 Music's Everyone's Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense.
June 2024: Collaboration with Charli XCX
In June 2024, Lorde collaborated with Charli XCX on a remix version of the song "Girl, So Confusing".
September 2024: Signed with Universal Music Publishing Group
In September 2024, Jennifer Knoepfle from Universal Music Publishing stated that Lorde had "signed with UMPG earlier this year" and her "Girl, So Confusing" remix was her first release as a songwriter with UMPG.
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