Lewis Capaldi admitted he had worries about touring before releasing his album. Yet Leeds wasted no time in putting that anxiety to rest.
Not many artists could pull off what Lewis has managed. He sold out First Direct with a handful of new songs and his second album is just months away from release. That feeling of triumph must have followed the Scottish singer/songwriter onto stage as the thundering applause left him looking shocked as he gazed out over the crowd.
The rain didn't put off any fans, although there were reports of those arriving later, stuck in queues to get in. Regardless, the sodden concert goers didn't seem to care and every seat was eventually filled.
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While a few waited to arrive till Lewis got on the stage, a fair portion of the crowd also appeared to be there to see his support act, Raye. She shared some of the tough obstacles she's had to face in order to get on the stage and her delight in the fact, she's claimed her first number one single, just 18 months after splitting from the record label that refused to release her debut album.
The five-time Brit nominee topped the charts with the song 'Escapism' and that wasn't the only song fans were able to sing back to her. From the chaotic to the heart-breaking, her album is without a doubt, one to watch.
Joking how she'd sparred with Lewis Capaldi for the number one spot, she certainly built the atmosphere for him to arrive. Entering the stage in an all white ensemble, backed with his band, he began with his chart topper Forget Me.
Nominated for Song of The Year at the 2023 Brits, everyone in the arena belted the words back to him before he asked the crowd: "Leeds, how are you f***** doing?"
He's well known for his brutal honesty, his jokes and his inability to stop swearing. Despite the heartache of his songs, the crowd laughed all the way through.
After singing another crowd-pleaser, Forever, he told the crowd: "I feel good, we're back! Strong as an ox, heart of a lion and the ball bag of a German Shepherd!" Amid the laughter, he told the crowd that Leeds is one of his favourite cities and thanked fans for his strong comeback.
He shared that he was worried, as the day of his single release, the Queen died. Swallowing any potential jokes, he told the crowd: "First show back in a long time and first time back in front of this many. There will be mistakes tonight but you welcoming me back means a lot.
"I didn't think this many would still care". Jumping straight in to another new single that's topped the charts, only a month since its release, fans knew every word to Pointless too. Following up with Lost Without You, the show ground to an abrupt halt.
Ending the song quickly, Lewis began calling to security as he pointed to what he thought was a concert goer fainting. As security rushed to the standing area, those in standing shouted up to the star that actually, there was a fight.
"Can't take the weight of your love? That's the lyric you're sparring to?" The singer was close to laughing on stage, after he checked that everyone was ok and told those fighting: "If you're fighting, you have to go."
A bizarre event to take place at a concert filled with slow songs, the audience and Lewis were both bemused by the strange turn of events. Quickly recapturing the crowd's attention with a never-before heard song and the fan favourite Before You Go, he delighted fans when he began performing on a rising stage.
It seemed Lewis changed his mind on whether that was actually a good idea, telling the crowd: "It's so f****** high up here! I'm not actually even playing this piano!"
Demonstrating how the piano was rigged to another hidden behind stage, played by a member of his band, he joked: "Take that Elton John, I'm a Rocket Man too!"
Despite singing the heartbreakers, Grace and Don't Fade Away, fans were soon laughing as he dubbed one girl's mum a 'MILF' (You might not want to look up the meaning of that) and then shared why Leeds is so special.
He revealed: "I have so many memories. One of my first gigs was in Leeds, playing to a crowd of maybe about 100. I really love you Leeds!
It seems Leeds loves him too as the star saw a bra land on stage. Picking it up in surprise and deciding to try and put it on, he laughed: "When I imagined the opening night, I didn't picture wearing a bra". Another more wholesome gift was a little teddy bear thrown on the stage, holding a heart.
Clearly touched, he launched in Hold Me While You Wait, before speaking to the crowd. Lewis was diagnosed with Tourette's back in March and has chosen to share his experience publicly.
The 26-year-old shared that he had noticed himself ‘twitching a wee bit on stage’. He shared that the movements had become more exaggerated, but it makes him feel better to share.
In a rare serious moment, he shared that "things get on top a bit" before launching into a song that divulged his struggles. He told Capital FM back in December: “The movements are more exaggerated now. So, I do my neck cracks a lot; I, kind of, lift my left shoulder up, my face moves a bit and I do these deep breaths.
“I can see… micro versions of them in interviews that I’ve done in the past. I think I’ve always done this stuff.
"The diagnosis was a shock. But it was also like, ‘Oh, that explains so much of my life’.”
For those who already knew about his diagnosis, the movements could be seen on stage, but the way he lives with the condition is without a doubt, impressive. The concert was amazing - it's rare you can attend one where everyone in the crowd is singing pretty much every song and connects with the artist in such a strong way.
Unsurprisingly, his last song of the night was his very first hit, Someone You Loved. With Lewis looking overwhelmed by emotion, the crowd was able to sing pretty much the entire song back to the star.
Setlist
- Forget Me
- Forever
- Pointless
- Lost on You
- Heavenly Kind of State of Mind
- Before You Go
- Bruises
- Wish You the Best
- Grace
- Leave Me Slowly
- Fade
- Hold Me While You Wait
Encore
- How I'm Feeling Now
- Someone You Loved
Lewis also played songs coming in his new album, which will be released in May.
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