On Saturday, music fans at Glastonbury were treated to a triumphant return from Lewis Capaldi. The Scottish singer-songwriter, who took a break from touring to focus on his mental health, delivered an emotional and unforgettable performance on the Pyramid Stage.
Fans had been eagerly anticipating Capaldi’s appearance at the iconic music festival, and they welcomed him back with open arms. The singer, who has since sold out his UK and Ireland tour, has described his Glastonbury comeback as “probably the best day of my life.”
But just two years ago, Capaldi was facing challenging mental health issues. During his Glastonbury set in 2018, he visibly struggled with vocal issues and Tourette’s tics. It was a difficult moment for the artist, but the crowd showed their support by stepping in to help him sing the lyrics.
In a recent episode of Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, Capaldi opened up about his struggles at Glastonbury 2018. “When it happened and when it was happening, it was, like, the lowest moment of my life, and it was horrible,” he said.
Capaldi went on to explain that because Glastonbury is such a huge stage, it was the first time people outside of his own shows had seen him struggle. But instead of feeling defeated, Capaldi saw this moment as a turning point. “At Glastonbury, when I came off stage, it was weird, I had this feeling, ‘everything’s alright now, I can actually go and get help and fix myself for the next two years’.”
The singer also shared that, in a strange way, this experience may have been the best thing that ever happened to him. It prompted him to seek the help he needed and ultimately led to his successful return to music. “In a weird way, it’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I wouldn’t have stopped otherwise.”
For Capaldi, Glastonbury 2018 was a turning point, and he describes his return to the festival this year as “really important” and “maybe the most important day in my life.” This time, he was able to take the stage with a newfound sense of confidence and a fresh perspective on his mental health.
“Someone upstairs was like, ‘this has to happen now otherwise…’,” he shared. “I don’t want to think of where I would be now if I’d continued. We were meant to go to Australia. It could have been really, really horrible. I dread to think what would have happened.”
Capaldi also opened up about an even worse episode he experienced during a show in Chicago just a few weeks before Glastonbury. “I couldn’t come back on stage and finish the song,” he revealed. “I was like, backstage, convulsing and having this crazy panic attack, mental episode. It was really, really bad. It was the first time people at my shows had seen it.”
But alongside his return to the stage, Capaldi also made a powerful comeback with his new single “Survive”, which he performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week. The emotional and honest track showcases Capaldi’s powerful vocals and deeply personal lyrics, as he sings about his struggles with mental health.
This performance on The Tonight Show was just another milestone in Capaldi’s incredible comeback. His Glastonbury performance and his recent success with “Survive” have solidified his place as one of the most talented and compelling artists in the music industry.
Capaldi’s honesty and openness about his mental health struggles have resonated with fans and have only made his music more powerful. His return to Glastonbury and his continued success in music are a testament to his strength and resilience.
So, as we look back on Lewis Capaldi’s triumphant performance at Glastonbury on Saturday, let’s also celebrate his bravery and determination in overcoming his struggles and making a highly anticipated return to the music world. As Capaldi himself said, “I’m f***ing back, baby.” And we couldn’t be happier to have him back.
