Your Guide To Lorde’s Ultrasound Tour In Sydney: Setlist, Start Time And Getting There

Seeing Lorde live isn’t just going to a concert—it’s a full-body, melodramatic, emotionally cathartic experience. You’ll leave hoarse, slightly undone, and wondering how a single lyric managed to read your diary. Now, she’s officially bringing her Ultrasound World Tour to Sydney, marking her long-awaited return to Australian stages.

Whether you’re a Pure Heroine tragic, a Melodrama devotee, firmly in your Solar Power era, or a Lorde first-timer, here’s your complete Sydney guide to what to expect when she touches down at Qudos Bank Arena.

Lorde In Sydney: Why This One Matters

This tour lands Lorde in a fascinating moment of her career—reflective, confident, and creatively unfiltered. Fresh off the release of Virgin, her critically acclaimed fourth album, these shows promise the kind of emotional precision she’s built her reputation on.

For Sydney fans, this feels especially significant. Lorde doesn’t take touring lightly—expect a show that feels cinematic yet intimate, even inside an arena. 

What We Know About The Sydney Shows

Here’s what’s locked in for Sydney:

• Lorde plays Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February 2026
• These are her first Sydney shows since the Solar Power tour in 2023
• The Ultrasound World Tour supports her new album Virgin
• Expect arena-scale production that still feels personal and emotionally close
• Visuals are likely minimalist but powerful—Lorde has a habit of letting the music (and the crowd) do the heavy lifting
• Kevin Abstract will support on the Australian leg

Sydney Show Times (Plan Your Night)

Here are the exact timings for Qudos Bank Arena:

• Box Office: 6:00pm
• External Doors: 6:00pm
• Internal Doors: 7:00pm
• Kevin Abstract: 7:50pm
• Lorde: 9:00pm

If you’re aiming for merch, get there early—lines move fast but sizes don’t last.

What Will The Setlist Look Like?

Setlists can shift night to night, but Lorde’s shows are carefully paced with a strong emotional arc. Based on previous tours, expect:

• Big hitters like Royals, Green Light, Ribs and Team
• A strong showing from Virgin, woven seamlessly through the set
• Quiet, stripped-back moments that feel almost sacred in a packed arena
• An encore designed to leave you emotionally flattened (in a good way)

Her sets typically run around 90 minutes—never rushed, never padded.

How To Get There (And Home Again)

Qudos Bank Arena is easiest by public transport, especially on show nights:

• Trains to Olympic Park Station run frequently before and after events
• Expect crowds post-encore—walking a little further before calling a rideshare can save serious time (and surge pricing pain)
• Parking is limited and slow to exit, so public transport is your best bet

Hot tip: if you’re not emotionally attached to the final song, slipping out just before the encore can shave a chunk off your trip home.

What To Wear And What To Bring

• Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable
• Light layers—arenas heat up fast
• Small bags only (check Qudos Bank Arena restrictions)
• Portable charger for post-show footage and group chats
• Refillable water bottle, if permitted

Style-wise? Anything goes. Lorde crowds are famously unpretentious—wear whatever makes you feel most like yourself.

Insider Intel (Because We Love You)

• Lorde sometimes starts a touch later than the listed main act time
• Merch lines peak pre-show—key sizes sell out early
• Sydney crowds go very quiet during stripped-back moments
• Expect huge singalongs and moments that feel almost reverent

Why This Tour Is A Big Deal

Lorde shows feel communal in a way few artists manage. Everyone in the room is processing something together—nostalgia, heartbreak, growth, release. These Sydney dates aren’t just tour stops; they’re a shared cultural moment for fans who’ve grown up alongside her music.

The verdict? Consider this your permission slip to get emotionally prepared.

Image credit: Frontier Touring | Supplied