Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi has been one of the UK’s most beloved artists for quite some time. The singer gained breakout success with “Someone You Loved”, identifying himself with his melodious yet throaty voice, allowing raw emotion to soar on his gentle acoustic and piano-led tracks.
His on-stage banter is another reason he’s amassed so much loyal love from fans. The scotsman doesn’t shy with being candid with audiences, yet is so with such hilarity he’s a joy to watch. Lewis has famously been honest about his own mental health, taking breaks from performing when he’s needed to. At his Roundhay Festival headline set in Leeds, the singer opened up about a mental breakdown he had recently that called for some time away from the spotlight.
‘Sometimes our Menty Bs are meant-to-be,’ the 29-year-old declared, receiving not just understanding from the Leeds crowd but also plenty of laughs.
The Leeds set was opened with “Hollywood”, followed by “Grace” and “Heavenly Kind of State of Mind”, earning a devoted sing-a-long from the crowd from the moment he jumped in. Lewis dished out many of his hits like “Before You Go”, “Wish You The Best”, and of course “Someone You Loved” brought his impassioned set to a celebratory end.
The lineup in Leeds was also fleshed out with a fabulously theatrical performance by American singer-songwriter Conan Gray, whose success was spawned during the indie and bedroom-pop boom in the Covid era.
Jessie Murph, Jacob Alon and Kerr Mercer also all took the main stage earlier in the day, with Jessie putting on a particularly delightful show, dancing to her songs with a visibly full heart and even climbing atop a huge bedroom cabinet prop for some of the most intimate vocal moments of her set.
Nieve Ella, Ber, Maya Lane and DJ Pete Oh! all took care of the East stage, of which Nieve Ella was a fantastic performer. The singer injected pure power into her songs, visibly losing herself to the music in a show that was well worth visitors coming early not just to see Lewis and Conan, providing many with a eclectic and unforgettable day of music.
The Lewis Capaldi comeback continued down in London, withm any of the same set also journeying down alongside him for his two-night headline show at BST Hyde Park: a charming indicator that whilst many northern fans are neglected by tours or festivals only stopping in London, hopefully the future will see the Leeds to London connection only strengthen to give as many UK fans as possible the chance to catch some of the best artists gracing these shores.
Across the day, earnest storytelling took precedence over spectacle, creating an atmosphere of connection and emotion to wrap up the 2026 edition of the festival.
The Great Oak Stage opened with whole host of brilliant talent, from songstress Absolutely to the introspective voice of heartfelt songwriting Jacob Alon, whose unassuming yet magnetic stage presence demonstrated exactly why they have become one of the most exciting still-emerging artists around
The supporting stages also did not disappoint. Between the melodramatic, gothic pop of Beattie, to Murdo Mitchell, the Folk Bitch Trio and the dreamy, delectable indie-pop of Alexandra Savior, rich harmonies and fascinating lyricism across the broad captured the attention of an audience basking in the summer sunshine.
Likewise, on the festival’s famous Birdcage Stage, which seeks to champion up-and-coming artists, Minnesota singer-songwriter Ber brought her earnest and heartfelt storytelling to the London crowd, joining Mark Sharp & The Bicycle Thieves, Sadie Jean and Luke Hart in showcasing fantastic vocals that echoed throughout the shades of Hyde Park.
The evening shifted seamlessly into its final stretch with the confessional alt-pop-rock of Alessi Rose, who delighted fans with renditions of her tracks, before Conan Gray, whose arena-ready pop and deeply personal lyricism proved the perfect final precursor to the headline act. Performing fan favourites from across his catalogue, Gray commanded Hyde Park with an infectious spirit, drawing huge singalongs and reminding audiences why he has become one of the defining voices of young pop.
To say fans were excited for Lewis to hit the stage was an understatement. Following his widely publicised break from touring pre-2026, the Scottish singer-songwriter received a hero’s welcome before launching into a set filled with the songs that have made so many fans fall in love with his earnest work. Balancing self-deprecating humour with heartfelt sincerity, Capaldi opened his time on the stage with his much-loved track “Hollywood”, before rolling on into “Grace” and “Heavenly State of Mind”.
In front of a crowd of thousands Capaldi has the magical ability to make even the biggest stages seem intimate and small, pulling the crowd close to him with both his sonorous vocals and his ability to make your set feel like you’re listening to a close friend.
Later on in the night he brought on The Kooks’ Luke Pritchard for a much-loved rendition of “Naïve”, just as the night before he’d brought on Sam Fender to do a cover of Fender’s song with Olivia Dean, “Rein Me In”.
Though his humble nature means that Capaldi would never admit as such, his greatest strength is his ability to let his music speak for itself, never excessively adorned, never pulled too far away from the same kid who sat in the room writing his very first songs.
By the time Capaldi wrapped up his set with a luscious rendition of “Survive” and “Someone You Loved”, the crowd were swaying and singing back every word. In a world where genuine connection seems scarcer than ever, artists like Lewis and the many who occupy similar spaces remind us of the value of live music, made purely for the joy of the artform and the joy of real, down-to-earth human experience.
Supported by some of the most must-watch artists to be seen from Leeds to London, Capaldi’s return to the UK festival scene this 2026 was nothing but an utter triumph for an artist deeply loved not for being a brand, but for simply being himself.
BST Hyde Park and the Roundhay Festival are set to return in 2027.