Lewis Capaldi cancels Australian shows to “get my mental and physical health in order”

Scottish singer songwriter Lewis Capaldi has made a major Aussie tour announcement that will affect the “foreseeable future”. See why.

Scottish singer songwriter Lewis Capaldi has made the “difficult decision” to cancel his Australian tour and headlining appearance at the Splendour in the Grass festival next month.

The Someone You Loved global star flagged he would be taking time off the road again after struggling with his voice and Tourette syndrome tics during his Glastonbury festival set in the UK on the weekend.

Capaldi had taken three weeks off to prepare for the important Glastonbury slot after his mental and physical health began to decline again during his European shows in May.

But now the 26-year-old artist, whose hits including Forget Me, Business and Before You Go have generated billions of streams over the past five years, is taking time out for the “foreseeable future.”

Capaldi stood and listened as fans swelled in full voice to support him at Glastonbury. Picture: AFP.

“First of all, thank you to Glastonbury for having me, for singing along when I needed it and for all the amazing messages afterwards. It really does mean the world,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday.

“The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise doesn’t make it any easier to write, but I’m very sorry to let you know I’m going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.”

hi x pic.twitter.com/qK8zxTD5IS

— Lewis Capaldi (@LewisCapaldi) June 27, 2023

Capaldi thought the three-week break would help him reset but he is still adjusting to living with his mental and physical health challenges.

“I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I’d hoped three weeks away would sort me out,” he wrote.

“But the truth is I’m still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.”

Capaldi swept the world with his beautiful pop ballads. Picture: Getty.

In the recent documentary How I’m Feeling Now, the musician shared his Tourette’s diagnosis and the crippling mental and physical health struggles which stemmed from the anxiety he felt on tour and the pressure to perform in the wake of his phenomenal success.

Capaldi did not rule out a return to touring in his statement on Tuesday, thanking fans for their ongoing support.

“I’m so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve. Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as I possibly can,” he wrote.

Splendour co-CEO Paul Piticco said while fans would be disappointed, “all that really matters is that he takes the time he needs to feel better. Lewis, we’ll all be here waiting when you’re ready!”

Splendour playing times and replacement acts for Slowthai, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Capaldi will be announced later this week, while those with tickets to his arena shows will be automatically refunded.

Originally published as Lewis Capaldi cancels Australian shows to “get my mental and physical health in order”