Lewis Capaldi told a packed Sefton Park that he struggled to enjoy his last appearance in Liverpool as a result of his much-publicised mental health struggles. The Scottish singer-songwriter took to the stage in Aigburth on Saturday night as part of Cream's In the Park Presents events.
Opening up on mental health struggles
The 29-year-old Brit Award winner, best known for his global hit Someone You Loved, thanked the thousands of fans who turned out to see him perform before addressing his mental health struggles of 2023. Capaldi announced in June 2023 that he was taking an extended and indefinite break from touring, citing the need to focus on his health following struggles at some of his shows including an appearance at Glastonbury Festival.
After his opening songs, Capaldi told the Sefton Park crowd: "Liverpool, [it's been] far too long. Time has been flying by. I'll be dead soon. The last time I was here was 2023. F***ing hell. Lightening speed. Some of you weren't even born then. Thanks for coming. Thanks for all that sweet, sweet cash. I'm just doing the maths here and it looks like it will be a nice Christmas in the Capaldi household."
"I was struggling"
Capaldi later added: "The last time I was here I wasn't enjoying my performance as much as I am tonight. I was struggling. That being said, here's a song about death." He then sang The Day I Die from his 2025 EP Survive. The last time Capaldi appeared in Liverpool was in January 2023 at the M&S Bank Arena as part of his Broken by Desire to be Heavenly Sent tour. He has also previously performed at a sold-out show at Croxteth Park in 2019.
After rising to fame with Someone You Loved, which spent seven consecutive weeks at the top of the charts, he released his debut album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent. The 2019 album also featured the hits Before You Go, Bruises and Grace. He followed it up with Broken by Desire to be Heavenly Sent and the Survive EP.
Festival summer and future plans
Capaldi has already performed this summer at festivals including the Isle of Wight Festival, TRNSMT and BST Hyde Park. During his previous shows, he confirmed his third studio album was in the works and after the summer he would be focusing on the project. Cream's In the Park Presents has become a staple of Liverpool's music calendar, attracting tens of thousands of fans annually. The festival took a break last year to allow for BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in May. The star-studded event has hosted everyone from local musician Jamie Webster to the iconic Cream Classical and its 50-piece kaleidoscope orchestra.
The ECHO's photographers were in the park earlier on Saturday evening to capture fans on their way to the event. The ECHO will have a full review on Sunday morning.
