Lorde performed a super emotional David Bowie cover for the Brit Awards

During today’s Brit Awards, the tremendously talented Lorde made a surprise appearance to honor David Bowie, who once poetically stated that Lorde’s music “felt like listening to tomorrow.”

To pay tribute to the man who gave this world so many gifts, the band who traveled with Bowie during his final 2003 tour began to play the opening lines of “Space Oddity.” Footage from Bowie’s music videos were projected in the background, while a spotlight shined an empty light at the front of the stage.

In a surprising, yet welcome, turn of events, Lorde appeared on stage. She joined Bowie’s band and covered his song “Life on Mars?” from the 1971 album Hunky Dory. Amidst a red light, Lorde passionately belted out Bowie’s unforgettable lyrics and, as a whole, the entire performance was incredibly meaningful. Lorde earned a well-deserved standing ovation.

The Brit Awards audience members weren’t the only ones stirred by Lorde’s performance:

Bowie’s friends, Annie Lennox and Gary Oldman, also added their own sentiments to this heartfelt memorial. “I suspect that everyone is trying to process this event. Even if they didn’t know him personally, many people feel like things will never be the same again,” Lennox stated. “For me, it’s almost impossible to mention Bowie’s name in the past tense. Everything he represented as an artist will always be vital and incredibly present.”

Oldman revealed that when Bowie told him about his battle with cancer, the legendary artist quipped, “The good news is, I got my cheekbones back.”

“I can share with you that David faced his illness with enormous grace, courage and customary humor,” Oldman adds. “David was funny, hilariously so. The laughs were many and massive and I shall miss them.”

You can watch Lorde’s powerful performance below (beginning at the 2:24:30 mark):