AURORA at Paris’ Zénith, birds flew and hearts opened

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AURORA has never really followed the rules of pop music. Since her first album, All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend, came out in 2016, the Norwegian artist has carved her own path, mixing ethereal sounds with poetic emotions, always rooted in nature and something bigger than herself. I remember discovering her in high school through “Through the Eyes of a Child,” a song that felt like it saw straight into how I was feeling at the time. Years later, getting to shoot her “What Happened to the Heart?” tour in Paris feels surreal. On Monday, she turned the venue into something that felt closer to a ritual than a concert: intimate, strange, and deeply alive.

The night opened with two very different but equally magnetic acts. Norwegian artist Fredrik Svabø began the night with a soft, immersive set that gently pulled the crowd in. Joined by four musicians on stage, he created a layered, emotional atmosphere that felt both intimate and expansive. He sang “Sophie,” one of his standout tracks, and even spoke a bit of French between songs, instantly building a sweet connection with the Parisian audience.

Then came Joanna, the French pop-R&B artist I’ve been following for years. I’d never had the chance to see her live before, so I was genuinely excited to finally catch her, and she didn’t disappoint, bringing emotion and power to every track. In other words, she was a diva. Dancing, jumping, and getting the crowd to sing along with her on “JE NE SUIS PAS UN OBJET,” Joanna fully owned the stage.

There was a beautiful moment during “RÊVERIE” when the whole venue lit up with phone flashes, and by the end of her set, she was visibly tearing up. When she paused to say how moved she was, a fan shouted, “Normal, you’re a star,” and it honestly couldn’t have been more true.

At 9 p.m., AURORA took the stage. A large screen lit up at the back, showing her watching the crowd and asking, “Are you awake?” The sound burst open, her band stepped out, and moments later, she appeared. She opened with “Churchyard” followed by “Soulless Creatures,” setting an intense and emotional tone right from the start. Her energy was mesmerizing. I could hardly believe she was right there in front of me. Her voice was powerful, precise and beautiful, carrying every word like it mattered deeply.

Before the third song, AURORA took a moment to greet the crowd and share a heartfelt message. She spoke about how difficult the world has become, how people are hurting others who simply want the right to exist, to feel at home in their bodies, and to enjoy the short time we have on Earth. She reflected on how anger often stems from sadness, a sadness that isn’t just felt but passed down through generations. It’s something that grows inside us and can be hard to live with, which is why she believes it’s so important to cry and to stay open to others. She then dedicated her next song, “The River,” to what she called the silent warriors. It was a stripped-back version, with the band gathering in a circle like a choir. The moment felt almost witchy, deeply hypnotizing and full of quiet power.

The visuals throughout the set were beautiful. The screen behind her shifted constantly, showing birds, sun-like circles, dancers and even AURORA herself. White strips hung from above, with birds perched along them, almost as if they were watching over the stage. These elements added to the feeling that we had stepped inside AURORA’s mind, one filled with symbols, nature and emotion.

During “When The Dark Dresses Lightly,” from her latest album, the visuals showed AURORA fighting herself, holding a dagger. It was a striking image that added even more intensity to the moment. The crowd stood up during the song, as if drawn in by the power of it. It felt like a turning point in the show, both haunting and empowering.

The next song was none other than “Queendom.” With rainbow lights flashing, people dancing and jumping, AURORA ran across the stage with a queer flag, the whole moment felt like a hymn to love. It was joyful, radiant and full of freedom. One of the most uplifting parts of the night.

Before the next song, AURORA took a moment to share how much she loves Paris. She talked about her off-day before the show, saying she ate “fromage and charcuterie,” and added with a grin, “It’s so beautiful because there’s so much to eat and touch, and people you can eat and touch, and it’s just the best.” The crowd burst into laughter.

She then introduced “Exist for Love,” one of her rare love songs. “As you know, I don’t have many of those,” she said. “But I have… one. Prepare your heart, and as you know… relax your anus… and let me come in! I want to be there.” The crowd erupted again. She claimed it was a normal saying in Norway—though no one seemed entirely convinced.

She explained how much this song means to her at the moment, because her heart flutters when she sings it. “It’s so beautiful to learn what love is,” she said, “to be seen, to feel proud of who you are, and to be treated really well—better than you think you deserve. And a beautiful kiss and touch.”

She reminded her fans that everyone deserves someone, or many, in whatever shape or form, who treats them too well. “That’s what love is. It should never make you feel less like yourself.” The crowd received her message with open hearts and gave it right back to her. As she sang, the venue lit up with flashlights, creating a soft, glowing sea of light. It was a quiet but powerful response, turning the moment into something shared and deeply felt.

As the night continued, AURORA gifted the audience with two of her most awaited songs — “Through the Eyes of a Child” and “Runaway.” The crowd erupted as the opening notes of “Through the Eyes of a Child” rang out, its innocence and nostalgia filling the venue with warmth. The song’s message of rediscovering wonder through the lens of youth resonated deeply with everyone in the room, who moved and sang along with an almost childlike joy. It even brought me to tears.

But nothing could prepare us for “Runaway.” The iconic track that made AURORA’s name in the world echoed through the Zénith, a moment that felt both surreal and inevitable. As the first chords played, the crowd seemed to hold its breath, and for a few minutes, the world outside of those four walls didn’t exist. It was pure connection, a song that has touched so many, and hearing it live was a profound, almost sacred experience.

The connection between AURORA and the crowd only grew stronger thanks to her beautiful heartfelt songs. But don’t think she only offers soft melodies, she also gives us space to feel rage. Songs like “The Blade,” a powerful statement about feminism, and “Starvation,” which turned the venue into a forceful, charged space, reminded us of that. She ‘ended’ her set with “Giving in to the Love,” a joyful, danceable anthem that lifted the entire room.

Of course, she returned for an encore. And not alone! When she brought out French pop artist Pomme, the entire venue screamed. Together, they performed their iconic duet “Everything Matters,” I truly believe it’s one of the most beautiful songs ever written, and hearing it live, sung by both of them on the same stage, felt completely unreal.

After Pomme left the stage, AURORA continued with her 2021 single, “Cure For Me.” Then she took the mic one last time to thank her team, and every single person in the room, for coming and giving her everything we had. She said she had one final song, and sat behind a small keyboard to perform it.

She explained she doesn’t like to end a set with a loud, explosive moment, because it can feel too abrupt. She used the metaphor: “Like aftercare after an orgasm, right?” That line made the crowd laugh, but there was something deeply thoughtful behind it. She added, “I think it’s a nice song to do in between all the dancing and us all going home. It feels like it’s a more soft transition for our souls.”

She then dedicated “Invisible Wounds” to listeners who have been through a lot, sharing how proud she is that we’re still here and how much she loves us. The room lit up one final time, and it was the most tender goodbye—soft, sincere, and full of love.