The Kia Forum erupted into chaos on Saturday night. Lorde brought out Charli XCX for an emotional performance of their viral remix. The Ultrasound World Tour stop delivered the collaboration fans desperately wanted to witness live.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Show took place October 18, 2025 at Los Angeles Kia Forum
- Lorde wrote “GIRL” on her palm as surprise hint
- 18,000-person capacity arena sold out completely
- Charli XCX walked through crowd to reach b-stage
- Tour continues to Portland and Seattle this week
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Lorde teased fans from a b-stage positioned in the arena’s center. The 28-year-old singer asked the crowd if she could trust them. She pulled out a Sharpie and dramatically wrote a single word on her palm.
The word “GIRL” projected onto massive screens surrounding the venue. Fans immediately recognized the significance and went absolutely wild. The familiar hook of “Girl, So Confusing” began playing as teaser shots of Charli flashed onscreen.
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Charli XCX then made her entrance walking across the Forum floor. She powerfully delivered her opening verse about female friendship struggles. Lorde danced intensely on the b-stage before launching into her own remix verse.
“We are not okay. We are sick, and we need to get well. It’s urgent.”
The duo ended together joyously dancing and swinging their similar long dark curls. They embraced before Charli said goodbye so Lorde could finish alone. Fan favorite “Ribs” closed the show in intimate one-on-one fashion.
Why This Performance Matters Now
You’ve heard this remix countless times since its brat summer 2024 release. But witnessing it live carries different emotional weight entirely. The confessional nature hits harder when both artists stand vulnerable together onstage.
Billboard notes this marks the first time Lorde hosted the performance. Previous collaborations happened during Charli’s Sweat Tour with Troye Sivan last September. They also teamed up at Coachella in April 2025.
The remix addresses complicated female friendship dynamics that resonate universally. Lorde recorded her verse during that intense brat-green summer of last year. The collaboration helped both artists process real tensions between them publicly.
Rolling Stone emphasizes the song’s narrative continues resonating with fans and artists alike. Spanish band Hinds released their own cover version this September. The track’s confessional honesty makes it endlessly relatable across different audiences.
Inside the Ultrasound World Tour Experience
The Ultrasound World Tour supports Lorde’s fourth studio album Virgin. The record dropped June 27, 2025 through Universal Music and Republic Records. It debuted at number 2 on Billboard 200 charts.
| Tour Element | Details | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Start | September 17, 2025 – Austin, Texas | First arena tour since Melodrama |
| Album Focus | Virgin (11 songs, 34:51 runtime) | Most experimental sound yet |
| Stage Design | Minimalist with b-stage, paparazzi cameras | Stripped-down from previous tours |
| Support Acts | Blood Orange, The Japanese House, others | Curated indie/electronic lineup |
| Tour Conclusion | February 25, 2026 – Perth, Australia | Global arena run |
Variety described the Chicago show as featuring intense deconstruction and transformation themes. Lorde performed wardrobe changes in full audience view. She stripped away clothing layers between songs symbolizing emotional vulnerability.
The tour showcases songs spanning her entire discography over 12 years. Fans hear hits from Pure Heroine 2013, Melodrama 2017, and Solar Power 2021. Virgin tracks dominate the setlist with raw intensity throughout.
What’s Next for Both Pop Stars
The Los Angeles surprise collaboration signals continued friendship between the artists. Their public working-through of past tensions created meaningful artistic dialogue. Future performances together seem increasingly likely given audience reactions.
- Lorde plays Berkeley tonight before Portland and Seattle shows
- European leg begins November 9 in Luxembourg through December
- Brooklyn Barclays Center hosts two shows closing 2025 dates
- Australia/New Zealand dates continue through February 2026
- Potential for more surprise guest appearances at remaining shows
Lorde told the LA crowd that shared agony and ecstasy represents our strongest medicine. She believes gathering together on Saturday nights helps us heal collectively. Her “Liability” speech emphasized pursuing essential versions of ourselves.
The Virgin album cover features a pelvic X-ray with IUD visible. This represents themes of transparency and female vulnerability explored throughout. German photographer Heji Shin created the striking controversial artwork.
Will This Become a Regular Tour Feature?
The spontaneous nature makes each Charli XCX appearance feel special and earned. Lorde clearly values surprising audiences rather than announcing guests ahead of time. This strategy keeps fans guessing at every tour stop.
Madison Square Garden hosted their first collaboration during Sweat Tour last year. Coachella April 2025 saw them reunite for thousands of festival attendees. The Kia Forum performance completes a meaningful trilogy.
Other female artists continue covering the remix showcasing its cultural impact. The song transcends its original brat album context becoming standalone anthem. Its honest exploration of female competition and insecurity strikes universal chords.
Would you travel across the country hoping Charli might show up unexpectedly? The risk versus reward calculation defines modern concert culture perfectly. What makes live music magical is these unrepeatable once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Sources
- Billboard – Coverage of Lorde and Charli XCX Los Angeles performance
- Rolling Stone – Analysis of Girl So Confusing collaboration history
- Variety – Review of Ultrasound World Tour Chicago stop
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.
Anyone else catch Lorde and Charli XCX teaming up at Kia Forum? Feels like a pop dream come true! Wonder if theyll drop a collab album next. Are we ready for that level of iconic?
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Man, Lorde and Charli XCX taking the stage together? Thats like a musical dream come true! Its crazy how far theyve come from their early days, right? Missing out on that collab must feel like a punch in the gut. Who wouldnt want to witness that epicness firsthand? Seriously, its the stuff of legends. But hey, maybe theyll team up again in the future. Who knows, right? Lifes full of surprises! Ever had a moment like this where you wished you could turn back time and be there for a once-in-a-lifetime show? Share your FOMO stories!
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Lorde and Charli XCX really brought the house down with that surprise collaboration, didnt they? The energy was off the charts at the Kia Forum – wish I couldve been there to witness it live! As for unexpected duets that could rival that, imagine a mix-up like Billie Eilish teaming up with Kanye West. Crazy, right? Who do you think would make a mind-blowing duo in the music scene? Any wild predictions up your sleeve?
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