Lorde Is Back, Katy Perry's Still Struggling, and Touring in a Post-Eras Tour World

This week on Live From Mars, we’re breaking down Lorde’s long-awaited return with her new single What Was That — how it fits into her discography, its early success, and why it has fans divided. Plus, I’m sharing quick reactions to other New Music Friday standouts including Benson Boone, Samia, and Joe Jonas.Then for our deep dive, we explore how the touring landscape has shifted post-Eras Tour, including the early controversy around Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour, Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa’s evolving strategies, and a critical look at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour launch.Where do pop concerts go from here — and is Beyoncé too legendary to be relatable?Topics covered in this episode:Lorde's What Was That review + lead single rankingStreaming performance of Lorde’s new single so farNew Music Friday picks: Benson Boone’s Mystical Magical, Samia’s Carousel, Joe Jonas’ Heart by HeartThe Katy Perry Lifetimes Tour controversy and execution critiquesSabrina Carpenter’s mini-Eras energy on tourBeyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour: what low ticket sales tell us about the future of pop iconsThe future of live touring after the Eras Tour phenomenonChapters / Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome + Personal Intro (100K celebration)01:30 – New Music Friday Intro02:00 – Lorde’s What Was That Review09:00 – Ranking Lorde’s Lead Singles12:30 – New Music Friday Highlights (Joe Jonas, Benson Boone, Samia)17:30 – Deep Dive: Touring After the Eras Tour19:30 – Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour Critiques22:00 – Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa Touring Strategies25:00 – Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour and Touring ReflectionLike what you hear?Make sure you’re following Live From Mars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen!If you enjoyed the episode, leave a 5-star rating or review — it helps the show grow and keeps the conversations going.Stay connected:TikTok: @vinylbymarsInstagram: @vinylbymarsYouTube: VinylByMarsSpotify Playlists: Follow hereTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.