Lewis Capaldi was forced to stop his performance at Newcastle's In The Park festival twice on Wednesday night due to what he described as "situations" in the crowd. The 29-year-old singer, performing at Exhibition Park for the first time in three years, addressed his mental health struggles and a previous hiatus from music.
Show Interrupted Twice
About 25 minutes into his set, Capaldi abruptly halted the show and alerted security to a problem in the audience. He and his band left the stage as a message appeared on the big screens: "Thank you for your patience. The show will continue shortly. We appreciate your understanding." Capaldi later told the crowd to "look after each other and stay hydrated."
A second stoppage occurred when the singer spotted another issue. The same message reappeared, further delaying the set, which was under a strict curfew. Capaldi apologized but emphasized safety, saying, "If your pals are faint, go to the side. Safety is paramount but I can't keep stopping."
Mental Health and Return to Stage
Capaldi had previously taken an extended hiatus from music and touring in 2023 after suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, and Tourette syndrome. He famously struggled during his Glastonbury performance that year. In Newcastle, he told the crowd, "I'm back and feeling good after my breakdown."
The singer admitted there was a time he thought he would never perform in front of large crowds again, calling his return "means a lot."
Heat and Crowd Concerns
Newcastle experienced peak temperatures of 27°C on the day of the concert. While trees in the park provided some shade, those in the main area were exposed to the sun. Some concertgoers took to social media to complain that the standing area felt "crowded." The second night of the festival, scheduled for Thursday, was canceled due to "logistics," and ticket holders were offered access to Wednesday's show.
Performance Highlights
Despite the interruptions, Capaldi played hits including Hold Me While You Wait, Forget Me, and Survive. He also performed a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Have You Ever Seen the Rain and closed with Someone You Loved. He apologized for "rushing through" the set due to time constraints but delivered a strong vocal performance.
Capaldi congratulated a couple who got engaged during his set and promised to return to Newcastle soon, revealing plans to record a new album.
