lewis Capaldi delivered a deeply personal and powerful return to the stage at glastonbury Festival 2025. Stepping onto the iconic Pyramid Stage, the Scottish singer-songwriter performed a surprise set that marked his first major public appearance in two years. His hiatus followed a challenging 2023 performance at the same festival and a period focused on his health after a Tourette’s diagnosis. The comeback was widely anticipated, fuelled by subtle pre-festival teasers and the release of a poignant new single earlier that day.
Capaldi’s arrival was met with an overwhelming reception. Thousands of fans erupted in cheers as his name appeared on the massive video screens. Walking onto the vast stage, he took a moment to absorb the incredible sight, offering a simple peace sign to the adoring crowd. He then slung a guitar over his shoulder, launching into the familiar opening chords of “Before You Go.”
A Triumphant Return to Worthy Farm
Returning to the Glastonbury stage held significant meaning for Capaldi. After his second song, “Grace,” he addressed the audience directly. “Glastonbury it’s so good to be back,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. He added with characteristic honesty, “I’m not going to say much up here today because if I did I might start crying.” This vulnerability immediately resonated with the festivalgoers.
His performance was structured around finishing what he couldn’t in 2023. He ended his set with “Someone You Loved,” the global hit that concluded his previous difficult appearance. This choice was deliberate and brave. “I couldn’t sing this song two years ago,” he shared, tearing up slightly as he explained, “I might struggle to finish it today for different reasons.” Despite the emotion, he finished the song, ultimately declaring to the roaring crowd, “My name is Lewis Capaldi and I’m fucking back, baby.” It was a moment of raw triumph and resilience witnessed by tens of thousands.
Overcoming Past Challenges on the Pyramid Stage
Capaldi’s 2023 Glastonbury performance ended under incredibly difficult circumstances. During his set, he visibly struggled with vocal issues and pronounced tics related to his Tourette’s syndrome. The crowd rallied around him in an extraordinary display of support, singing the words to “Someone You Loved” to help him finish the song. It was a moment of profound human connection, born from his vulnerability.
Following that experience, Capaldi announced a break from touring and public life. He explained he needed time to prioritize his physical and mental health and adjust to the impact of his Tourette’s diagnosis, which he received in 2022. His recent Glastonbury set was his first full-scale show since stepping back, representing a major milestone in his journey. “It’s just a short set today,” he told the audience, “but I just wanted to come and finish what I couldn’t finish first time around. Second time’s a charm on this one, everybody.”
The Power of Connection: Fans Rally Around Capaldi
The connection between Lewis Capaldi and his audience was palpable throughout the set. He frequently alternated singing lines with the crowd, who responded with passionate enthusiasm. This call-and-response created an intimate atmosphere despite the massive setting. Festival attendees chanted his name to the tune of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” a powerful sign of their collective support.
Many fans in the crowd were visibly moved by the performance. Kate, a fan from Oxford, noted how proud Capaldi seemed as he walked off stage. “To be part of that was really special,” she added. Georgia, from London, described the set as “really moving,” stating she “had goosebumps in places I didn’t know I could get goosebumps.” Welsh teenagers Marley and Maya were also in tears, finding Capaldi’s openness and strength deeply inspiring. “He’s someone to look up to because he’s just so strong,” Maya said, highlighting his impact beyond just his music.
Resilience Reflected in New Music
The timing of Lewis Capaldi’s return was significant, coinciding with the release of his first new single in two years, titled “Survive.” The song serves as a “rousing comeback” anthem, directly addressing his recent struggles. Lyrical snippets shared reflect themes of healing and overcoming difficulty: “How long ’til it feels / Like the wound’s finally starting to heal?” and “Most nights I fear / That I’m not enough / I’ve had my share of Monday mornings when I can’t get up.”
The song also contains defiant lines expressing a determination to live fully, such as refusing “to spend my best years rotting in the sun.” Introducing “Survive” at Glastonbury, Capaldi again became emotional. He admitted the previous two years had been “difficult at times” and explained his desire to write about “overcoming that stuff.” Performing the song live, he stated, had been his explicit goal: “to get back here, doing this.”
Journey Through Success and Struggle
Lewis Capaldi rose to global fame with incredible speed following the success of his debut album and the massive hit “Someone You Loved,” which remains one of the most streamed songs of all time. His sophomore album also reached number one in the UK. Despite this immense success, Capaldi has been remarkably open about the pressures it brought, particularly on his mental and physical health.
He has spoken candidly about experiencing panic attacks and the challenges presented by his Tourette’s diagnosis. His willingness to discuss these issues has resonated widely, helping to destigmatize mental health struggles and neurological conditions in the music industry. While his Glastonbury return was his first major show, he made a tentative step back in May with a smaller charity gig in Edinburgh for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). At that event, fans were asked not to film, creating a more private setting for his initial return to singing live.
The Buildup to the Surprise
Speculation about a Lewis Capaldi return at Glastonbury had been building intensely in the days leading up to the festival. Mysterious billboards featuring lyrics from his new single “Survive” appeared near the festival site and in his hometown of Glasgow. Messages like “I’ve had my fair share of Monday mornings where I can’t get up” and “I refuse to spend my best years rotting in the sun” included a phone number. Texting the number reportedly replied from “TBA,” aligning with the “TBA” slot listed on the festival schedule for the Pyramid Stage.
Capaldi himself fueled the rumours by liking social media posts discussing the billboards. On the morning of his performance, posters for a Lewis Capaldi lookalike contest even popped up around the Glastonbury site, adding a playful layer to the speculation before the official confirmation. This deliberate teasing generated significant buzz and anticipation for his eventual reveal. While Capaldi was arguably the most anticipated, he wasn’t the only surprise; Lorde also delivered an unannounced set earlier in the day, kicking off performances on the Woodsies stage with a focus on her new album.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Lewis Capaldi take a break before his Glastonbury return?
Lewis Capaldi took a significant break from touring and public performances starting in 2023 to focus on his physical and mental health. This decision followed a difficult set at Glastonbury that year where he struggled with vocal issues and symptoms of his Tourette’s syndrome, which he was diagnosed with in 2022. He needed time to manage his health and adjust to the impact of his diagnosis on his life and career.
What songs did Lewis Capaldi play during his surprise Glastonbury set?
During his emotional comeback set on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2025, Lewis Capaldi performed several songs. He opened with “Before You Go” and followed with “Grace.” He also introduced his new single, “Survive,” publicly for the first time. The set concluded with his massive hit “Someone You Loved,” the same song that marked the challenging end of his 2023 performance, signifying a desire to finish that moment on his own terms.
How did Lewis Capaldi’s 2025 Glastonbury set differ from his 2023 performance?
Lewis Capaldi’s 2025 set was a planned, albeit surprising, return following a health-focused break, whereas his 2023 performance concluded abruptly due to vocal difficulties and prominent Tourette’s tics. While both sets were emotional and featured audience support, the 2025 performance was a deliberate act of resilience and triumph. Capaldi explicitly returned to “finish what I couldn’t finish first time around,” demonstrating strength and control, contrasting sharply with the struggles he faced two years prior on the same stage.
Lewis Capaldi’s return to Glastonbury was more than just a music performance; it was a powerful statement of courage, resilience, and the enduring connection between an artist and his fans. After stepping away to confront personal health battles, his decision to come back to the very stage where he last faced significant challenges was incredibly moving. His performance, blending hits with new material reflective of his journey, resonated deeply with the audience, cementing his place not only as a talented musician but as an inspiring figure navigating fame and vulnerability with extraordinary grace.
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