Lorde delivered an unexpected treat to fans at her ‘Ultrasound World Tour’ opener in Austin, Texas, performing “No Better” for the first time in over a decade.
The Kiwi pop superstar kicked off the tour on Wednesday night with a setlist primarily focused on her fourth studio album Virgin. However, it was the inclusion of “No Better” that sent fans into a frenzy, as the song hadn’t been performed live since her Pure Heroine tour in 2014.
During the performance, Lorde sported boxer briefs and a bright red T-shirt while delivering a playful rendition of the sticky summer song. The staging proved particularly inventive, with Lorde singing directly at a videographer on stage while the close-up footage played on the venue’s big screen. The videographer even held her microphone at one point, allowing her to dance freely to the trip-hop influenced beat.
@byriiano7 NO BETTER !?!? #lorde #lordeultrasound #ultrasoundtour #ultrasoundworldtour #lordetok
“No Better” holds special significance amongst Lorde’s catalogue due to its unusual release history. Originally released in December 2013 as a digital download exclusive on the iTunes Store as part of a special promotion, the song quickly gained a devoted following despite its limited availability. For years, fans who missed the initial digital release could only access the song through YouTube uploads.
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The song’s journey to wider accessibility concluded in 2021 when “No Better” finally arrived on streaming platforms, introducing it to a new generation of listeners and satisfying longtime devotees who had been clamouring for official access.
Beyond the surprise inclusion of “No Better”, Lorde performed “Supercut” while running on a treadmill and ventured directly into the venue’s pit during “David” and “Ribs”.
This confidence represents a significant shift for the artist, who has previously discussed her struggles with debilitating stage fright. In a recent Rolling Stone cover story, Lorde revealed how she combated these issues during the Solar Power tour through MDMA and psilocybin therapy.
“I was touring without stage fright for the first time,” she explained. “It made me realise how much I love and kind of need that very deep, visceral response to feel my music.”
