Does Lorde Know She’s Famous?

There’s Solar Power , and then there’s permit power. Lorde did not get that green light from police before teasing a 7 p.m.

appearance at Washington Square Park on Tuesday — but that didn’t stop her from finding a way to preview a new song for fans later in the night. A spokesperson for the NYPD’s deputy commissioner of public information said in a statement to Vulture that officers were alerted of an “unscheduled event” inside the park at around 6:47 p.m.



“A sound and parks permit is required to have a concert in a New York City Park. This individual did not possess either,” the statement said. “Organizers of the event were informed they could not perform and they left the location.

” Even if she’d arrived completely unannounced, we’re pretty confident that the internationally-renowned, Grammy-winning singer would have still drawn a huge crowd. But hours beforehand, she also posted a photo of the park’s fountain area on her Instagram Story and texted fans to come meet her. So who can really be surprised that the place got so packed that some people were climbing on trees in hopes of securing a better view before 7 p.

m.? Lorde, that’s who. “Omg @thepark the cops are shutting us down,” she wrote on her Instagram Story minutes before the expected start.

“I am truly Amazed by how many of you showed up !!! But they’re telling me you gotta disperse ...

I’m so sorry.” Some fans stuck around to sing together after the event was canceled. They were first rewarded for their patience at around 8 p.

m. when Lorde’s friend and collaborator Dev Hynes (also known as Blood Orange) showed up to play Lorde’s upcoming single “What Was That” on a portable speaker. Then, at around 9:30 p.

m., Lorde herself finally showed up to dance to the song. “You guys are so amazing,” she said .

“I love you so much.” Given just how many people were still waiting for her two-and-a-half hours later after they were told to disperse, maybe this is a good reminder for her that she’s so famous that for her, a performance in the park will probably never be a walk in the park to coordinate. 🚨 Lorde at Washington Square Park playing "What Was That"!! pic.

twitter.com/SnH2XOsVSB.