14 July 2023

Lewis Capaldi talks mental health after Glastonbury stage Tourette’s

in El Vergel, Spain

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The Someone You Loved artist faced a moment of crisis when performing at Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom.

Last year, Lewis Capaldi announced that he has been diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS), a neurological condition that provokes tics, anxiety attacks, depression, and nervous crises among other challenges. Subsequently, he appeared in a Netflix documentary titled ‘How I’m feeling now’, which discussed his mental health.

Despite the challenges posed by Tourette’s, the artist remained committed to his music, even though he openly admitted that fame and attention are often very difficult for him. In addition to his struggle with Tourette’s, Capaldi described himself as an anxious person.

On Sunday, June 25, Lewis Capaldi was performing at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK. While singing his popular song Someone You Loved, he experienced a TS attack which rendered him unable to complete the performance. “Glastonbury, I’m really sorry. I’m a bit annoyed with myself,” the artist apologised.

What transpired next was an incredible testament to the power of unity - rather than staying silent or expressing negative judgement, the audience stepped in and raised their voices in unison to help and support the artist.

After this emotional event, the artist has announced his decision to take a longer break, recognizing the importance of self-care and preserving his mental health. “You might not see me for the rest of the year,” he said.

Capaldi’s performance at Glastonbury was the first in almost a month after he took a break of three weeks in order to prepare himself mentally for the UK’s most famous music festival.

In early June, he told fans: “I need to take a moment to rest and recover, to be at my best and ready for Glastonbury and all of the other incredible shows coming up so that I’m able to continue doing what I love for a long time to come.”

“I need to take these three weeks to be Lewis from Glasgow for a bit, spend some time with my family and friends and do normal life things that are an important part of me feeling better. I hope everyone understands.”

Although the precise duration of his break remains unknown, fans eagerly anticipate his return, understanding the artist’s decision to prioritise personal well-being above his career. It is a much welcomed change in a world which so far expected its idols to push themselves to, and often beyond, their limits.

Written by:

Sofia Vorobei

Culture Section Editor 2026

Vergel, Spain

I’m Sofia Vorobei, with a passion for quality cinema. It all started when I was around eight. While watching one of those Nickelodeon sitcoms, I couldn’t stop thinking about how fun it must be for the actors and how I wished I could be part of something like that. Ever since then, I’ve wanted my life to have something to do with it. I’ve wanted to act, create, write, direct…

In middle school, however, my perception of that changed. I wasn’t eight anymore, and I understood that this path is an uphill battle. It’s demanding, messy, and a bit like a lottery: you either get very lucky and win, or you don’t.

Still, that realisation didn’t push me away from my dream; it was simply a reality check. I began to understand that passion alone isn’t enough — it takes hard work and making the most of every resource available, while continuing to improve without rushing the process. The industry may be unpredictable, but I believe that if you truly put everything into something, it has a way of standing out.

I was born in 2009 in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moved to Vergel, Spain, near Valencia, in 2020.

I joined Harbingers’ Magazine in the summer of 2023 and have since written about the intersections of culture, creativity and society. My work with the magazine led to my appointment as Culture Section Editor in March 2025.

I also serve as Afghanistan Newsroom Editor, roles I continue to hold in 2026, helping shape the magazine’s cultural coverage and coordinate reporting within the newsroom.

I speak Ukrainian, Spanish, English and Russian.

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