Approximately a week before this incredibly special Tuesday, the internet went ablaze with news that Lewis Capaldi, fresh from a sold out arena tour and a successful BST Hyde Park Performance, announced a free – and fully accessible – gig at O2 Forum Kentish Town in partnership with Able2UK and Carers Trust. The news coincided with a release of the music video to his latest single ‘Stay Love’, in which a day in life of a young carer is chronicled. All primary caregivers could apply to attend with a guest and a venue was made fully accessible. Furthermore, the photo pit was opened to photographers who are disabled or neurodivergent – and as an autistic ADHDer with a generalised anxiety disorder, I was honoured to attend and report on the night.
Lewis Capaldi hasn’t shied away from his own health struggles – his Netflix documentary ‘Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now’ reduced me to tears and shone a much needed light on the toll living with Tourette’s syndrome can have on a person. This vulnerability, together with his trademark self deprecating humour, brought him closer to his audience and when he struggled to finish ‘Someone You Loved’ at Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 2023 and the crowd carried the song beautifully (reducing me and the whole internet to tears, again).
3 years later, in Kentish Town, he said from the stage:
“Couple of years ago I had to take a break from making music because mentally I wasn’t doing the best and it was a difficult time, it was a hard time. But I’m happy to say I’m doing great. It’s amazing to clear those things and enjoy life again. It’s a real privilege to be able to do stuff like this, and thank you for coming.
Before Lewis Capaldi took to the stage to deliver his incredible set, the audience was shown a short film from Carers Trust and speeches, first from one of the trustees of Carers Trust, who said “Tonight is a chance to pause, to love, to sing, to share – because every carer should be able to take a moment to breathe. So if you’re standing near a carer tonight – which you most likely are – give them a cheer. We see you, we support you.” Able2UK’s founder Howard Thorpe also took to the stage with an emotional speech, in which he added “Live music should be accessible to everyone. Thanks to O2 for all their work and support with this event.”
And the work that went into the event was incredible: the first 3 rows were reserved for wheelchair users, and the Kentish Town Forum’s bar staff walked around with portable card machines, taking people’s drink orders and delivering them to them. A whole ramp was built to add accessible seating, and there was a dedicated calm room on the balcony as well. The event was fully BSL-translated by an interpreter and for the first time in my life I shared a photo pit with a photographer using a wheelchair. I saw a girl in the audience with a hand made sign that said “First concert with my mum – could we get a selfie?” Seeing the amount of adaptations made me realise what a privilege it is to be able bodied, and how truly lucky I am that I have low support needs and my invisible disability doesn’t prevent me from enjoying live music – on the contrary, live music becomes my life force and fuels my brain, occasionally to its detriment (autistic and ADHD burnout are not for the faint-hearted).
Weaved through the set was Capaldi’s trade mark humour. “I don’t want to sound like a prick, but it’s been a while since I played a gig in a place like this. Thank you for showing up, it would’ve been a big fuck up if you didn’t” – he remarked on playing such an intimate venue. When someone from the audience screamed “I LOVE YOU!!”, he responded: “I love you too… random stranger. I’ve never met you, so I love you like… two strangers can love one another. Not at all!” And while this joke had an opportunity to get repeated throughout the night, it was clear how much the night meant to Capaldi and he hinted he might arrange more of those nights.
Thank you for each and every person who made this gig possible. Massive applause for carers. Massive applause for me – I’m joking. Thank you for giving up your time, for spending time with us. After the summer I’m gonna go away and finish an album and I’ll be back as soon as I can – and I’d like to do more of these if I can.
And the audience loved every minute of the hit-stacked set, with the audience singing along with every word. After ‘Forget You’, Capaldi said “After that song I usually say this is our last song – but this time it wouldn’t make sense, you’d still fucking see me on the side of the stage, so I’ll just play through.” – and the usual encores followed, culminating with the massive communal karaoke to ‘Someone You Loved’. I sat there with tears in my eyes seeing sheer joy on the faces of people around me – feeling seen, accommodated and thoroughly entertained. I thought back to that Pyramid Stage performance and realised that in part I owe my own mental health recovery to Lewis Capaldi – he showed me that pushing yourself beyond limits has its price, but taking a break to get help is not only an option – it’s necessary care. And it is possible to come back stronger than you were before.
Opening for Lewis Capaldi was the relative newcomer Dermot Henry, who’s been gradually making a name for himself in the indie scene and building a cult following. With a sound reminiscent of Elliott Smith and drawing on his parents record collection, which was clearly packed with Laurel Canyon, Nina Simone and Tom Waits, he was the perfect support. “It’s my first time performing with a sign language interpreter! Thank you for having me as part of this very special night” – he remarked, and the cheers from the audience were a sure giveaway that he warmed up the crowd beautifully.
