Lewis Capaldi says there’s a “higher bar” on live performances from female artists: “They get picked apart”

Lewis Capaldi has said there’s a “higher bar” on live performances from female pop artists.

During a recent appearance on the Creativo podcast, the singer-songwriter discussed the differing expectations placed on women versus men. Shouting out artists who have dominated festivals this summer – like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo – he said pop is in a really healthy place at the moment.

“It’s really being spearheaded by women, I think,” he said. “I think women are really smashing it in pop and making the most interesting music at the minute.”

Reflecting on why that was, he added: “Women seem to get up there and put everything into a performance, and it’s all really thought out. A lot of guys get up there, myself included, in a T-shirt and jeans and just sing.”

However, he did add that, himself aside, artists like Harry Styles, Benson Boone and Conan Gray were “pushing more the sort of theatrical side of things”. His comments come after a triumphant return to the stage following a battle with his health beginning in 2023.

That year, Capaldi was forced to cut his Glastonbury set short after he struggled with tics caused by Tourette’s and announced he was planning to take some time off to focus on his health after the performance. The singer said in a statement at the time that he was “still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s” and that his decision to call off his tour was “the most difficult decision of my life”.

He finally made his grand return this June, when he surprise-released his comeback single ‘Survive’, and later that day played a surprise set at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, completing his performance from two years ago.

Fans lauded his emotional return at Glastonbury, with one writing: “This is strength, resilience, and perseverance personified. Two years ago, I watched live coverage as Lewis Capaldi was floored by Tourettes. He takes two years to rest, recover, and heal, showing those struggling with mental health issues that there is always a way back.”

Shortly after his Glastonbury set, he shared news of a UK and Ireland tour coming this September – you can buy your tickets here. He’s set to begin in Sheffield this Sunday (September 7) and end the tour in Dublin on September 29, while he’ll also be playing in Aberdeen, his birthplace of Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Cardiff. There are two nights at London’s The O2, too, on September 17 and 18.

Capaldi has also announced a team up with BetterHelp to provide 734,000 hours of free online therapy, saying: “Therapy is the reason why I am able to be a musician again”.

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