From O2 Academy Brixton, to The SSE Arena Wembley, to The O2 Arena all within less than a year. Nothing stops Glasgow’s phenomenon sweetheart Lewis Capaldi.

There’s been a great extent of emerging acts who’ve remarkably made it on the spotlight in the last few years, but no one has quite managed to achieve what one of last week’s Wembley Arena headliners has. It was only three years ago a Glaswegian released a debut EP that saw him gain recognition faster than anyone else and it was only less than a year ago his debut album skyrocketed to number one on UK charts and still to this day remains on an unbeatable path on the Top 10 albums. Did we also mention that one of his singles reached number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 almost exactly one year after its release? We’re sure you’ve already figured out who the Glaswegian is, but just in case you haven’t, it is Lewis Capaldi who dazzled two sold out shows at The SSE Arena, Wembley last week and it is him who still deservingly thrones this decade’s charts.

If there’s one thing the soulful songwriter is known for (besides his heartfelt bops that make you wish you were in an imperfect past relationship), is his charismatically witty character that never fails to put a smile on everyone’s face no matter the circumstances. We’re sure everyone remembers his epic Glastonbury and TRNSMT entrances last summer (hint: Google Lewis Capaldi ‘Chewbacca’ and you’ll understand) and if you are wondering what could possibly top those? – opening his UK headline tour with a video footage from his Grammy award defeat to Billie Eilish and storming on stage triumphantly dancing to ‘Bad Guy’. What followed from there was a sweet perfectly balanced mixture between pure heartfelt emotional performances and a ‘golden ticket’ to Lewis’ stand up comedy show that kicked off straight after heavenly opening single Grace.

With only one LP released, of course the setlist of the night was not a surprise to anyone and although it was only 12 songs long, the singer’s commentary between every track kept everyone’s Friday night occupied for an hour and a half. What surprised me the most was the fact that although half of the setlist weren’t radio singles, it didn’t seem as an issue for everyone who proudly sang every single lyric to every single track including to his start up songs from his debut EP Bloom, and Bruises. Highlights such as Hold Me While You Wait, One and Before You Go made for a blissful moment and view as no one second guessed whether they should take their phones’ flash on or not even though the performer himself never instructed them to.

“This is the part where I pretend I’ve finished the show and you scream one more song and I go okay fine, I guess I’ll sing that one song everyone came to listen to so we can all just go home” and that song was no other than electrifying, loved by everyone Someone You Loved. His haunting divine vocal performance kept the crowd engaged from the first second to its last as the last verse was repeated and sang along multiple times and only got more and more passionate every time.

The same verse was astonishingly continued to be sang throughout my whole journey home that night and made me think that the show was actually a recap of what the singer truly stands for. Lewis Capaldi doesn’t need a fancy stage set up, he doesn’t need a spectacular light show, a fancy suit or back up dancers to sell out a 12 000 capacity room. All he aspires to achieve is make everyone have a good time – does that mean by tearing from his poignant vocals or tearing from too much laughter, he’ll leave that up to you. For now, we can’t wait to see what the Glaswegian has in store for his two sold out The O2 Arena shows in October.

Photos: Lina Molloholli