Lewis Capaldi's Newcastle gig at Exhibition Park on Wednesday was overshadowed by crowd issues, forcing him to leave the stage twice during the In the Park festival. The outdoor concert, which marked the first night of the festival, saw the site packed to capacity.
High Demand and Capacity Issues
Demand for tickets to see Capaldi open the festival was immense, leading organizers to add a second date on Thursday, which was later canceled. By the time gates were due to close at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the park was already full, with fans enjoying support acts Heidi Curtis and Jacob Alon.
When Capaldi took the stage shortly after 8 p.m., many attendees struggled to find a good vantage point. The main stage area was overcrowded, leaving those on the right-hand side behind trees unable to see the performance.
Set Interruptions
Capaldi began his set strongly with tracks like Hollywood and Grace on a balmy evening. However, just a few songs in, he stopped the show, with the screens going black. He told the crowd there was something that needed to be 'sorted.' A message appeared on screen apologizing for 'any inconvenience.'
After a pause, Capaldi and his band returned, only to leave again shortly after due to another 'situation' in the crowd, as described by Capaldi. The same apology message appeared for a second time. Thankfully, the concert was not canceled, and Capaldi returned once more, though he apologized if it felt like he was 'rushing through' the rest of the set.
Later Highlights and Promise to Return
Later highlights included Hold Me While You Wait, Forget Me, and Survive. At nearly 10 p.m., Capaldi performed his final song, debut number one Someone You Loved. He vowed to return to Newcastle for another gig as soon as possible, thanking the crowd for their patience and support.
