The Maryland Jockey Club has announced that 2013 double Grammy Award winner Lorde will headline the 2014 Preakness InfieldFest concert.
The 17-year-old performer will play an extended set on the main stage May 17 at Pimlico Race Course when the MJC hosts the 139th renewal of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
Lorde earned Grammy Awards last month for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her chart-topping single "Royals." She received nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for her debut album "Pure Heroine" which was released in September 2013 to commercial success and critical acclaim. The New Zealand native was one of 14 artists selected to perform at the Grammy Awards and appeared on the cover of the January issue of Rolling Stone.
"Preakness InfieldFest enters its sixth year, now positioned as the region's biggest, best, and most unique party with first-class music and top-notch racing throughout the day," said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas in the release. "Lorde's popularity is rising at a staggering rate from radio spins to social media to online plays and views. Her appeal cuts across multiple fan demographics and reflects the cutting edge talent fans have come to expect at InfieldFest. She is an extraordinarily talented artist and we look forward to welcoming her to Preakness InfieldFest."
In addition to the main stage, Preakness InfieldFest will feature live music from top acts on a second stage, presented by Jägermeister, and a variety of other activities. The Jägermeister stage acts and the other main stage performers will be announced at a later date.
Grammy winners Bruno Mars (2011), who was the halftime lead act for this year's Super Bowl, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (2013), Maroon 5 (2012), Train (2011), and Zac Brown (2010) have performed on the main stage in previous years, as well as Pitbull (2013), Wiz Khalifa (2012), O.A.R. (2010), Buckcherry (2009), and Hall of Famers ZZ Top (2009).
