As always, Glastonbury is full of magical moments – but Lewis Capaldi on the Pyramid Stage at the legendary festival will go down in history.
The singer revealed that he was diagnosed with Tourette’s last September, and has struggled with his touring schedule in recent months.
Lewis Capaldi at Glastonbury
The diagnosis sees Lewis suffering from tics. During his performance, his tics were visibly present, adding to his vocal discomfort.
“I really apologise,” he said as he struggled. “You’ve all come out, and my voice is really packing in.”
But fans in the crowd didn’t care that the singer needed moments to collect himself. In an emotional moment, the audience sang along with him, with reaction from viewers at home being equally supportive.
Here’s some of the heartwarming reactions from fans supporting Lewis.
One said: “The Glastonbury crowd filling in for Lewis Capaldi when he needed help was such a beautiful moment. Anyone saying ‘it was heartbreaking’ or ‘he shouldn’t have gone on’ is seriously missing the point. Disability is not a bad thing to be hidden. It exists alongside success and joy.”
The Glastonbury crowd filling in for Lewis Capaldi when he needed help was such a beautiful moment. Anyone saying “it was heartbreaking” or “he shouldn’t have gone on” is seriously missing the point. Disability is not a bad thing to be hidden. It exists alongside success and joy.
— Frances Ryan (@DrFrancesRyan) June 25, 2023
“Losing his voice, tics taking over, he battled through and the crowd lifted him up,” said a second. “What a set #LewisCapaldi absolutely incredible.”
Losing his voice, ticks taking over, he battled through and the crowd lifted him up. What a set #LewisCapaldi absolutely incredible #glastonbury2023 moment pic.twitter.com/BIWv8ZC6F4
— ThatRobRose (@thatrobrose) June 24, 2023
“As his Tourettes overwhelmed him, and he needed a break thousands of voices lifted him up,” wrote a third. “I feel something akin to a religious experience hearing them sing. The effect on Lewis Capaldi must have been profound. You don’t even have to like the song to get choked up. Beautiful.”
As his Tourettes overwhelmed him, and he needed a break thousands of voices lifted him up. I feel something akin to a religious experience hearing them sing. The effect on Lewis Capaldi must have been profound. You don’t even have to like the song to get choked up. Beautiful https://t.co/9LtmWqr3Oj
— Modhabobo (@Modhabobo) June 25, 2023
“This is absolutely superb as far as I’m concerned,” said a fourth. “1) That Lewis Capaldi got up on the Pyramid Stage to perform in front of a crowd that big despite all that he’s going through. 2) That the crowd were so understanding of it that they created a moment he’ll remember forever.”
This is absolutely superb as far as I’m concerned.
1) That Lewis Capaldi got up on the Pyramid Stage to perform in front of a crowd that big despite all that he’s going through.
2) That the crowd were so understanding of it that they created a moment he’ll remember forever. https://t.co/vHsKRJkBhy
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) June 25, 2023
Reaction to Lewis Capaldi
A fifth added: “As a parent with a child who has tics, this is beautiful to watch. Like it happened with Lewis Capaldi — when you are very happy or excited, it can take over and the more you try to resist, the more you tic. For the crowd to support him was wonderful.”
As a parent with a child who has tics, this is beautiful to watch. Like it happened with #LewisCapaldi — when you are very happy or excited, it can take over and the more you try to resist, the more you tic. For the crowd to support him was wonderful. pic.twitter.com/fS9RcsTU8V
— Shilpa (@shilpakannan) June 25, 2023
“Having watched this over again, to imagine what he must have felt like on stage, the entertainer becoming the entertained in the face of his own adversity created an iconic Glastonbury moment, Lewis Capaldi has just become my new musical hero,” a six concurred.
Having watched this over again, to imagine what he must have felt like on stage, the entertainer becoming the entertained in the face of his own adversity created an iconic Glastonbury moment, @LewisCapaldi has just become my new musical hero 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/LcjAUtLxbN
— Mark Bullivant (@MarkBullivant4) June 25, 2023
“Lewis Capaldi appreciation post,” said a seventh. “Emotional viewing this. I hope he rests up, gets the love and support he needs from those closest to him, and returns only if and when he’s ready.”
Lewis Capaldi appreciation post ❤️
Emotional viewing this.
I hope he rests up, gets the love and support he needs from those closest to him, and returns only if and when he’s ready.
— Derek Watson (@derekwatson89) June 25, 2023
“What an inspiration you are to so many young people who struggle with anxiety and Tourettes,” an eighth said. “Your bravery to turn up and then to continue with your set at Glastonbury 2023. Just look at the love you have created, it’s a special gift you have.”
Crying 😢 #LewisCapaldi 🤗
What an inspiration you are to so many young people who struggle with anxiety and Tourette’s, your bravery to turn up and then to continue with your set at #glastonbury2023 ⭐️
Just look at the love you have created, it’s a special gift you have ❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/9ZHaQC7RKu— Paula Timms ❤️ (@PaulaTimms50) June 25, 2023
“The entire crowd holding him in his disability with patience and compassion and then – the moment he realises they’re on his side. Glastonbury,” wrote a ninth.
The entire crowd holding him in his disability with patience and compassion and then – the moment he realises they’re on his side. Glastonbury 💕 https://t.co/3bJKpA4oO7
— Camilla Blackett (@camillard) June 25, 2023
“Lewis Capaldi being held aloft by the crowd as his tics overwhelmed him is massive, so important. Really beautiful. Nobody would have got that a few years ago, would they? This love, care, kindness, understanding, this matters so much. We inch forward, we do, despite all,” agreed a tenth.
Lewis Capaldi being held aloft by the crowd as his tics overwhelmed him is massive, so important. really beautiful. Nobody would have got that a few years ago, would they? this love, care, kindness, understanding, this matters so much. We inch forward, we do, despite all. ❤️
— Sarah Phelps (@PhelpsieSarah) June 24, 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgHRuCcxf80
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