Lorde's surprise performance of her new song 'What Was That' was shut down by the New York City Police Department, with a representative telling EW the pop star 'did not possess' a permit.

Lorde debuted her forthcoming single "What Was That" at a pop-up event in New York's Washington Square Park Tuesday night, about two hours after police had shut down the gathering due to overcrowding.

However, it turns out Lorde didn’t get a permit for this particular gathering, and the event was promptly shut down by police. “A sound and parks permit is required to have a concert in a New York City Park,” an NYPD officer told Vulture. “This individual did not possess either.”