Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi has opened up about the strange experience of hearing from celebrities who falsely claimed to have checked in on him after his public breakdown at Glastonbury in 2023. The 28-year-old artist’s emotional performance at the Pyramid Stage saw him visibly struggling with tics and a faltering voice, culminating in tears and crowd support as he finished his set.
In the days that followed, Lewis announced he would be stepping away from the limelight for two years to focus on his physical and mental health, particularly in the wake of his recent Tourette’s diagnosis. Speaking on the This Past Weekend podcast with Theo Von, he reflected on the moment at Glastonbury: “Because Glastonbury is such a big stage, it was the first time people outside my shows had seen it. When I came off stage it was weird — I had this feeling like, ‘everything’s alright now, I can actually go and get help and fix myself for the next two years.’”
He added that this break might have been a necessary turning point. “In a weird way, it’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I wouldn’t have stopped otherwise. Someone upstairs was like, ‘this has to happen now otherwise…’ I don’t want to think where I’d be now if I’d continued.”
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Following his recovery, Lewis made a triumphant return to the Glastonbury main stage in 2024, delivering a confident and moving performance that showcased his resilience. When asked on Hits Radio whether fellow celebrities had supported him during his hiatus, Capaldi mentioned genuine contacts from Sir Elton John and Niall Horan, acknowledging that Elton called to encourage his break and that he regularly chats with Niall in group messages.
However, Lewis did not shy away from addressing the less genuine side of fame. “There were some people who said they checked in on me, who did not check in on me,” he revealed. Though he declined to name these individuals, he described their actions as “bizarre,” hinting at the false claims that surrounded his difficult period.
In June, Lewis was officially announced as the mystery “TBA” act on Glastonbury’s main stage, earning a thunderous welcome from fans. Taking the stage with a peaceful gesture to the crowd, he declared, “Second time’s a charm on this one. I just wanted to come and finish what I couldn’t finish last time,” and performed the live debut of his poignant single, “Survive.”
Following this heartfelt comeback, Lewis Capaldi has announced a UK and Ireland tour scheduled for September, with upcoming shows in cities including Sheffield, Aberdeen, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Cardiff, and Dublin—much to the delight of his loyal fans.