You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone and Lewis Capaldi has been sorely missed over the past two years.
22:13, 13 Sep 2025Updated 22:16, 13 Sep 2025
Scotland’s biggest name in music performed one of his first Scottish shows since taking a hiatus in Glasgow(Image: Getty)
In just a few years, Lewis Capaldi has become one of Scotland’s greatest musical exports. But there is nothing better than having the star back on home soil; performing to a sold-out gig of more than 14,000 people.
The Scottish talent last entertained the masses at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro in January 2023. The months thereafter proved tough for the singer as his struggles with Tourette Syndrome spilled over into his Glastonbury performance.
Lewis relied on the support of the crowd to get him through his set, and that support has never wavered, even when the musician announced a break. Two years later, and in the words of the man himself, “we’re back, baby”.
The 28-year-old’s popularity has packed out the Hydro for a whole two nights, and during Saturday’s show, he turned a gloomy weekend in Glasgow into one of the most uplifting albeit emotional gigs I’ve been to in a while.
Lewis Capaldi on stage during his latest tour(Image: Getty)
Lewis’ opening track, ‘Survive,’ which was met with excitement, screams, and rapturous applause, aptly contains the lyrics ‘I still got something to give, though it hurts sometimes, I’m gonna get up and live’ – a defiant message issued straight off the bat. But it’s not just sad songs with mellow piano and guitars in a minor key that took precedence.
He delivered the more fast-tempo ‘Grace’ and ‘Heavenly Kind of State of Mind,’ alongside jokes and silly chat in between songs; 18 of his best hits packed into a stomping hour and a half brought light to the dark.
After all, that is what Lewis is skilled at – drawing out the darkness he may sometimes find in himself and turning it into a joyful experience for his legion of followers. That bravery and resilience is something to be hugely admired.
‘Bruises’ took us back to the early days when Lewis was an early 20-something performing at open-mics and venues like King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, hoping to make a name for himself.
‘Forever,’ ‘Wish You the Best,’ and ‘Love the Hell Out of You’ were other touching tracks on the setlist, making for beautiful moments shared between couples and friends, while ‘Forget Me’ and ‘Pretender’ packed a punch.
A new album is on the way, the funny man promised, and the audience was treated to three new singles including ‘The Day That I Die’, which is a powerful recollection of the dark days Capaldi faced during his absence from the music scene.
Elsewhere, Capaldi said he had been trying to hone his talent “at a time he didn’t know he would be around”. His pitch-perfect vocals that you can’t differentiate from studio recordings show his pursuit has been a successful one.
Capaldi is widely considered to have rewritten the superstar stereotype – how mega talents act, interact with fans, and are perceived by the media – showcased in his Netflix documentary ‘How I’m Feeling Now’ released in 2023.
The doc showed the many faces of Capaldi – from cheeky youngster in the infancy of stardom to ‘America’s Sweetheart’ when ‘Someone You Loved’ hit US Billboard #1 and then to a more anxious, troubled character.
But this tour might be Capaldi’s best moment yet.
Lewis Capaldi performs during latest tour(Image: Getty)
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He has proved that a big name doesn’t equate to an inflated ego, or that musicality needs to come at the expense of humanity. That could explain why his songs and lyrics are so relatable – because the man behind them is too.
After confetti rained down on audience members, each one with a comforting, inspiring quote written on it, Capaldi told the Glasgow audience he wants to write many more songs and tour the country over and over.
When he does, we will be right back in our seats, welcoming him, once again, with open arms.