Lewis Capaldi at Rod Laver Arena
MUSIC
Lewis Capaldi | Australia and New Zealand Tour 2025 ★★★★
Rod Laver Arena, December 10
“I’ll rinse my spoils out no matter what it takes,” Lewis Capaldi promises the crowd near the start of his first Melbourne show in five years.
Lewis Capaldi will perform at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday evening.Credit: Richard Clifford
It’s the kind of self-deprecating joke that someone who’s had two beers might tell their friend at the bar. This is exactly what a Capaldi concert feels like; It’s like you’re listening to your long-time friend’s heart bleed between drinks.
Everyone loves a comeback story, but there’s something especially endearing about Capaldi’s story. Just a few years after bursting onto the scene, the Scottish balladeer announced in 2022 that he was taking a break from touring to tend to his worsening mental health since being diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. Now, two years after removing himself from the spotlight, he is back on the scene and in top form.
From the first piece, survive – One of their first albums since the hiatus – Capaldi’s soulful, gravelly voice echoes through Rod Laver Arena, drowning out the booming drums that accompany it. His range is astounding, he strikes first earlier bruises before humming cooler tunes like something in the sky. While there are few bells and whistles around, its raw, rich sound fills every inch of the cavernous space.
“This is the happiest moment I’ve ever been on a tour in my life,” he told the crowd, many of whom were arm-in-arm or in tears. “I’m excited to be back on stage.”
No one can make a heartbreaking ballad like Lewis Capaldi.Credit: Richard Clifford
But amidst the joy there is also a pinch of disbelief. Capaldi, arguably one of the most down-to-earth pop stars to date, is clearly surprised by his own comeback, repeatedly thanking his fans for sticking with him and apologizing for it. previously canceled concerts. He occasionally pauses mid-song, listening to the crowd sing the lyrics in perfect harmony, a look of pure curiosity on his face. Incredible giggles escape when fans loudly profess their love for her during quieter moments.
No one can make a heartbreaking ballad like Capaldi; his face contorts with genuine pain every time he describes painful, all-consuming love. This threatens to overwhelm at times with sonically similar tracks Meaningless And let me go slowly It starts to blend together. But you don’t go to a Capaldi show because of his musical adventurousness; You go for his raw talent and endless playfulness.
