Lewis Capaldi forced to cancel ARIA co-hosting gig

Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi has been forced to cancel his upcoming Australian promo tour, including his co-hosting of the ARIA Awards. Here’s why.

Scottish superstar singer Lewis Capaldi has pulled out of co-hosting Australian music’s biggest night.

A scheduling conflict has forced the Someone You Loved singer to cancel his appearance at the 2022 ARIA Awards at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on November 24.

He was to be co-hosting alongside Australian muso Natalie Imbruglia with organisers now on the hunt for a replacement for Capaldi.

Capaldi has cancelled his Australian promotional tour in its entirety, including a Nova Red Room fan show and a range of media appearances.

“Due to unforeseen scheduling issues, Lewis Capaldi will no longer be in Australia for his planned promotional trip in November,” a statement read.

Lewis Capaldi has had to cancel his ARIA appearance this month.

“Unfortunately, this means Lewis won’t be able to attend the 2022 ARIA Awards. Lewis will be returning to Australia for his tour in July 2023. The 2022 ARIA Awards still be live and dangerous with presenter and performer announcements coming soon.”

Speculation is now that another big name international will step in to co-host alongside Imbruglia.

Dua Lipa is in town touring currently while Steve Lacy will also be in Australia at the time.

The news comes hours after tour promoter Secret Sounds announced second Sydney and Melbourne shows for Capaldi on his Australian and New Zealand run of shows in July next year.

Capaldi is one of the breakthrough stars on the international charts of the past few years, registering more than 13.1 billion streams with his 2019 hit single, Someone You Loved.

The 26-year-old’s debut album, Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent was the biggest selling UK album of 2019 and 2020 with more than 25 billion combined global streams.

He is a two-time Brit Award winner and scored a Grammy nomination for Someone You Loved.

Capaldi was due to co-host the event with Natalie Imbruglia.

But Capaldi had to withdraw due to scheduling issues.

When announced as co-host of the ARIA Awards, he said: “Buzzing to be coming back over to Australia for the first time since 2020. Such an honour to be asked to co-host the ARIA Awards with the incredible Natalie Imbruglia.

“I’m pinning every single one of my hopes on winning an award as well because it’s very, very unlikely after hosting it I’m ever going to be invited back again, perhaps even into the country. Can’t wait to see you all soon.”

The 2022 ARIA Awards will be the first big scale event since 2019 due to the pandemic with a huge roster of local talent expected to walk the red carpet.

Rufus du Sol, Flume, Jessica Mauboy, Budjerah and others are expected to attend as some of the top nominees.

Up for album of the year are Amyl and the Sniffers for Comfort to Me, Baker Boy with Gela, Gang of Youths’ Angel in Realtime, King Stingray, and Rufus du Sol’s Surrender.

ARIA in 2021 did away with best male and female artist in favour of the Best Solo Artist category.

Nominated there this year are Baker Boy, Budjerah, Courtney Barnett, Vance Joy, Thelma Plum, Flume, Daniel Johns, Ruel, Julia Jacklin and The Kid Laroi.

ARIA Week will kick off on Monday November 14 with a series of events aimed at promoting Aussie music.