International singer causes chaos in Sydney's CBD as fans form a huge line through Martin Place for a freebie

Sydney's CBD was thrown into chaos early on Friday morning thanks to a publicity stunt by Icelandic singer Laufey. 

Thousands of Laufey fans packed Martin Place before sunrise, with huge queues forming as early as 5.30am for the chance to score a free hoodie.

The crowd wrapped around Sydney's busy CBD precinct as fans lined up outside a small Spotify pop-up near the Lloyd Rees Fountain.

While many assumed the singer was making an appearance, the queue was actually for one of just 300 personalised Laufey hoodies being given away ahead of her Sydney concerts this weekend.

Laufey announced the giveaway in an Instagram video earlier this week as part of a collaboration with Spotify.

'Hi, it's Laufey,' she said. 'If you're one of my top Spotify fans in Australia then you may have seen something special in the app.'

Fans who received the notification were invited to bring proof they were among her top Spotify listeners to collect a personalised hoodie embroidered with evidence of their fan status.

The giveaway was scheduled to run from 9am until 5pm, but the crowds quickly exceeded expectations.

Videos shared on social media showed Martin Place already packed by around 8.15am, and by 8.30am Spotify announced on Instagram Stories that all 300 hoodies had been claimed.

Fans who missed out on the hoodie giveaway can still see Laufey perform at Afterpay Arena in Sydney Olympic Park on Friday and Saturday night.

The Australian leg of her tour has already included shows in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.

The star recently shared photos from her trip, including visits to cafés in Melbourne and meeting quokkas in Western Australia, captioning the post: 'Kangaroo season.'

Her post was flooded with well-wishes from Australian fans and celebrities alike, with Cody Simpson writing: 'Doing it right'. 

Former Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins added: 'Hope you’re having fun in Aus.' 

Laufey - real name Laufey Lín Bing Jónsdóttir OTF - is best known for blending modern jazz, traditional pop and classical music. 

She first broke through with her 2021 debut EP Typical of Me, before releasing Everything I Know About Love in 2022. 

Her second album, Bewitched (2023), won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, while her jazz-inspired pop sound and viral hit From The Start helped introduce a new generation of listeners to jazz and traditional pop.

Today, she is regarded as one of the biggest breakout stars in modern jazz-pop.