Lewis Capaldi: Live Review

After being forced to cancel his planned 2023 dates to prioritize his mental health after being unable to finish his Glastonbury festival set, it'd be cruel to suggest there's pressure on the Scottish crooner to deliver.

In truth, it appears there's no bigger pressure than the one he places on himself, something which has won him hordes of fans because of his relatability- and more importantly, his fallibility.

Credit: Mahmoud Alhasan

Yet with the triumph of comeback single Survive delivering him the results he wants - and needs (as well as opening his 90 minute set) - it's not hard to see why his handful of dates have sold out in New Zealand.

Certainly a full crowd at Auckland's Spark Arena weren't there to deny him anything but love, something which the Scots singer wasn't about to let go without acknowledging.

Albeit after some three songs had been delivered. After the last notes, he stood in front of the crowd, which erupted in support of the songwriter everyman, allowing him to bathe in their adoration. It was only then the trademark Capaldi banter came out for an airing, taking in his mental health issues, his fears he'd never tour again and his desire to have a good night. From complaining about the fans blowing through his hair "like Celine Dion" to accepting someone's cock on stage, there were flashes of the humour and vulnerability that's endeared him to so many, has ensured endless radio airplay and guarantees you'll know at least one of his songs and join in the singalong. 

Credit: Mahmoud Alhasan

And while the crowd hung on his every word, every moment that gave them a chance to scream they loved him, Capaldi was wise enough to acknowledge he only dished out ballads. And he was smart enough to acknowledge his own journey and that he was now in the best firm he's ever been in, delivering gutsy ballads with fine voice, mostly solo and in some of the gigs best moments, just with a guitar, mic stand and his own voice.

That he did all of this in a technically adept show that showcased his heartfelt earnestness and his powerful vocal range. All the ballads were there, complete with phone lights glittering around the arena. The likes of Before You Go, Something in the heavens and How I'm feeling all resonated when they should and the audience lapped up every second.

And yet, it felt a little hollow and safe, dadrock with your mates writ large for his target audience. With too many songs ending in blackouts and pauses on stage with gaps, the show's feel was disjointed, a staccato affair that left the audience to pick up the slack and some members to feel disconnected from what was on stage.

Credit: Mahmoud Alhasan

It's an interesting conundrum for Capaldi and where he goes next. Nobody would begrudge him his health and he was wise to take those years off, because he's returned an impressive performer who declared himself happier than he's ever been.

But the songs bled into each other, with only the more upbeat edges of Forget You one hour into the set left you feeling like some life had been kicked into proceedings. But it does feel like he's at a crossroads now, a singer whose very ordinariness and foibles won him mass acclaim and yet he's had to leave some of those behind for the right reasons.

Paradigms aside, it was a solid show and there's no doubting the sincerity that he showed when he thanked Auckland for sticking with him through it all.

In truth, as one of his songs says, you wish him all the best - but what he does next will really define his future path and it'll be fascinating to see if he can embrace it for his own longevity.

Credit: Mahmoud Alhasan