When Lewis Capaldi hit the stage at this year’s year’s Glastonbury festival, it marked a triumphant return to performing after a two year hiatus. Suffering the symptoms of Tourette’s, the 28-year-old had taken a much-needed break to work on his physical and mental health. But his long absence from the limelight led many fans to wonder if he’d ever perform again. Well I’m over the moon to report that he’s back. And, as chance would have it, he’s better than ever, with new music and a new found confidence to boot. Watching him wow the crowd last night at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, was a complete joy.
“The Co-op: sandwiches, arenas and funerals…” Lewis joked immediately of the 23,500 capacity venue, which he’s sold out twice over on his current tour. He started last night’s show, fittingly, with Survive, a song about pulling through his last tough few years. His voice, rich, like a mug of steaming hot chocolate on a drizzly day, was on top form from the off. And so began an emotionally-heavy set of accomplished ballads. “This show has a lot of f*****g ballads…you’ll get bored of the ballads… then we’ll bring you back in with more ballads,” quipped Lewis. Known as much for his wit as his hits, his famous humour did interlace the set perfectly, lifting the mood throughout.
To the delight of the crowd, he played all their favourites and more. They came one by one, emotional gut punch by emotional gut punch: Wish You the Best, Before You Go, Hold Me While You Wait. This concert was truly a health hazard for the recently dumped. “This is the most depressing song I have,” said Lewis, before playing us The Day That I Die, a new track written during his break. It was *really* good. As was his recently released Something In the Heavens. That’s the thing about Lewis – an exceptional songwriter, there is no filler to be found.
Around half way through the set, the wristbands we’d been given to wear began to twinkle. “They’re a complete Coldplay rip off,” laughed Lewis. “I’ll be getting sued.” They were incredibly pretty, but I have to say I was shocked when mine wasn’t collected in at the end of the show to be recycled. I hope they’re being reused – Lewis? LEWIS? Think of the turtles, Lewis. But that is my only complaint of a show that was truly beautiful to behold: raw, engaging, emotional, funny. I loved it all. And so, I think, did Lewis.
“I feel great. I feel the best I’ve felt in a long time. In my break I was really f*****g low I just felt like s***e,” he said, as his set drew to a close. “I didn’t know if when we came back here people would want to see us play. I don’t plan on taking any more breaks any time soon either. You’ll be sick of me soon.” I’ve seen Lewis a couple of times, each one better than the last. This was the best yet. What a voice. What a talent. It’s been a long two years without him. Lewis, it’s good to have you back.