Lorde's US tour labelled a 'flop' - but is it really?

Lorde's American tour has been labelled a "flop" by a British publication after the Kiwi pop stars sold just 6000 tickets for a venue with a capacity of 18,000.

According to The Guardian, there have been "undersold" gigs throughout Lorde's tour, which has Mitski and Run the Jewels playing in support.

The UK publication says certain sections of seating is roped off and free upgrades are given to fill the floor. They also report Ticketmaster issued a discount code to reduce premium seats from $99 to $39.

But is the tour, which runs through the rest of March and into April, really a "flop"?

The same writer acknowledges that Lorde isn't the only one struggling to fill arenas in the US.

Arcade Fire, Lana Del Rey and Ellie Goulding have all struggled and even Jay-Z had low ticket sales despite his stardom and massive eight grammy nominations this year.

Even pop sensation Taylor Swift isn't selling tickets as well as promoters had expected, The Guardian reports.

This could be down to any number of causes from high ticket prices to ticket scalping to the fact that the new pop generation may be less inclined to go to live shows.

But from what we've seen, Lorde's tour has been going just fine. She's had rave reviews everywhere she's been with the Phoenix New Times called it "beautifully conceived", USA Today calling it the "must-see tour of the spring" and Mercury News saying Lorde had "never been better".

Mercury News continued: "Lorde was such a wholly compelling performer that it was hard to pay attention to anything else happening. She just dominated our attention and fascination during each and every moment of the concert."

The Houston Press wrote: "It was the closest to an entire room of strangers experiencing pure joy at the same time, and it was beautiful."

And fans are equally as on board, taking to social media to share their thoughts on the hit tour:

we love a queen that appreciates contemporary dance and doesn't give in to classic commercial tour dance styles💃🏻 #MelodramaWorldTour @lorde pic.twitter.com/uijGlet90p

— Michelle (@chellispinelli) March 20, 2018

@lorde was a surreal, bone chilling, ass kicking experience. what an artist. wow.

— stephen (@stevo_fagan) March 20, 2018

Lorde live is legendary btw

— Not asking, I'm telling you. Black Lives Matter. (@iRendell) March 20, 2018

I was tired and forgot but if you ever get the chance to see @lorde perform live GO DO IT. what an amazing, beautiful, magical night on her #MelodramaWorldTour last night 👑✨

— Liz M. 🌼 (@bethalizz) March 20, 2018

Still thinking about witnessing "Green Light" live at the #MelodramaTour yall. I'm not talking seeing or hearing, I'm talking WITNESSING. Lorde drew everyone in that crowd under her spell for those 5 minutes. The room LOST IT.

— 🚨 Ariana always wins | BLM (@wiggoff) March 19, 2018