Check out this video of the moment Bruce Springsteen covers Royals by Lorde at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland on 1 March 2014.
The unexpected tribute delighted the local crowd—and the young Kiwi star herself. Performing Royals in Lorde’s home city added a heartfelt local connection. The audience erupted with excitement as Springsteen embraced the song. The Boss stayed true to the track’s minimalist roots but made subtle lyrical changes, transforming “queen bee” to “king bee” with his trademark gravitas
ibtimes.com.au
The cover was part of Springsteen’s willingness to embrace regional icons—on tour, he’d previously covered AC/DC, Bee Gees, INXS and more.
Springsteen’s rendition wasn’t just a clever opener—it was an earnest salute to a contemporary Kiwi artist. The fact that Lorde responded by saying she was “touched” speaks volumes about the impact
pitchfork.com When mega-stars like Springsteen pay tribute to Lorde, it puts the Kiwi—and by extension, our region’s—music scene in the global spotlight.
Springsteen, born in 1949, covering a 17‑year‑old’s pop anthem, exemplifies how music transcends age and genre barriers. New Zealanders love to see hometown heroes honoured—and Lorde’s hometown salute in Auckland was undoubtedly a proud moment.
Watch the full performance above—it’s a rare, stripped-back take by one of rock’s greatest, honouring one of pop’s freshest voices. A perfect reminder that great music knows no borders—or generations.
