Lewis Capaldi takes new break from touring for ‘mental and physical health’

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By Paul Glenn, entertainment reporter, Jun 27, 2023 11:32 GMT

Updated 22 minutes ago

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The singer started the Glastonbury set with a full voice, but was largely unable to sing by the time he left the stage

Lewis Capaldi has said he will be taking a break from touring for the “foreseeable future”, days after struggling to finish the Glastonbury set.

The Scottish singer, who has Tourette’s syndrome, asked fans to help him by singing along at the festival.

Glastonbury was the 26-year-old’s first live performance since he took an earlier three-week break.

But, he said, “it became clear that I needed to spend more time organizing my mental and physical health.”

He said in a statement on Tuesday that he was “still learning to adjust to my Tourette influence.”

He had 26 dates around the world on the calendar between now and October.

It has included a show at Chepstow Racecourse in South Wales this weekend, as well as concerts in Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

“First of all thanks to Glastonbury for having me, for singing when I needed it and for all the wonderful messages afterwards. He really means the world,” he wrote.

The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise doesn’t make writing any easier, but I’m so sorry to let you know that I’ll be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.

“I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this, and I hoped it would sort me out after three weeks.

“But the truth is, I’m still learning to adjust to my Tourette’s effect, and it became clear on Saturday that I need to spend more time improving my mental and physical health, so I can continue to do everything I love for a long time to come.”

“incredibly sorry”

He continued, “I know I’m incredibly lucky to be able to take time out when others can’t and I want to thank my amazing family, friends, staff, medical staff and all of you who have been so supportive every step of the way during the good times.” And more over the past year when I needed it more than ever.

“I am so sorry to everyone who planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel good to perform at the level you all deserve. Playing for you every night is everything I have ever dreamed of so this has been the hardest decision of my life. I will be back ASAP “.

By the end of the set, the star suggested he’d need to take more time away from public life to recover.

“I feel like I’m going to take another break over the next couple of weeks. So you probably won’t see much of me for the rest of the year, maybe even,” he told the audience.

“But when I come back and when I see you, I hope you are still watching us.”

Showcasing the spirit of Glastonbury

The festival was supposed to be a comeback, after he canceled three weeks of “rest and recovery” performances amid concerns about his health.

But despite the warm reception from the audience, his voice soon faded. “Glastonbury, I’m really sorry,” he said. “I’m a little annoyed with myself.”

Audiences gave him their vocal backing on hits like Someone You Loved, warming him up nonetheless and blasting the words with him.

BBC Music’s Mark Savage described it as “a brilliant group display of both Glastonbury spirit, and a genuine general affection for Capaldi, who sauntered on stage, sang when he could manage, and enjoyed the view”.

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Glastonbury: Watch clips of Guns N’ Roses and Lizzo and Lewis Capaldi perform

Capaldi’s health problems date back to the pandemic, when he returned to his hometown for the Covid lockdown, expecting to begin work on his second album.

Its first, non-inspiring divine to an infernal extent, sold more than any other product in the UK in 2019 and will become the biggest seller in 2020 too.

It meant that expectations were high for the second album. He was feeling pressured, and it would take a physical and mental toll.

“Making the first album was as close to a dream come true as you can get,” the Scottish singer-songwriter told the makers of a Netflix documentary about his life.

“But once the first album does so well, it’s like he can do it again?”

The next album, Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, became the fastest selling album of the year in the UK when it was released last month.

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