Review and Photo Copyright © Jo Forrest
In the last two years, Glaswegian singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi has become one of the success stories of the British music scene. Going from playing small clubs to headlining a sold-out European tour, Capaldi has, in the last eighteen months, become one of the rising stars of UK music. Halfway through the UK leg of this tour and we joined fans at the Leeds O2 Academy for the latest date.
Joining Lewis on the tour is fellow Glaswegian Nina Nesbitt who is touring ahead of the release of her new album in 2019, The Sun Will Come Up The Seasons Will Change. Playing her set armed only with an acoustic guitar and a piano, you hear how personal tracks like Best You Had are while her stripped-down cover of Britney Spear’s Toxic was an interesting choice and slipped nicely into Nina’s breathtaking set.
“I’ve only got about seven songs online” jokes Lewis Capaldi as he takes a break early on in his set “so you’re going to be hearing a lot of stuff you’ve never heard.” Judging by the reaction from the crowd though, it doesn’t seem like too many people mind as Capaldi appears to be a very popular man and one who is becoming more popular as time passes.
Part of the reason it’s hard not to like the Glaswegian singer-songwriter is his personality. All smiles as he takes to the stage, his banter with the crowd is excellent and shows precisely why fans travel from all over to see him in concert. It’s not just the jokes though because, as soon as the man opens his mouth to sing, a seriously impressive singing voice pours out. Songs like “Grace” and “Mercy” are big songs for big stages and while he may not look like your stereotypical pop star, he has a voice that puts all of the manufactured garbage to shame.
Bringing Nina Nesbitt out to join him for “Rush” before closing the night with “Bruises”, Lewis Capaldi is ending the year on a high ahead of twelve months which will surely see him push on to much bigger things.
