„For him to be able to play a little secret gig in a safe space without all the phones, the noise and the expectations was perfect“
Lewis Capaldi made a rare public appearance last night (May 2) as a surprise guest at Tom Walker‘s charity gig, marking his first live performance since 2023.
Walker was playing Scotland’s Edinburgh Assembly Halls, which in the run up to this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12-18), played host to the first of three phone-free gigs to raise money for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
The first concert featured Walker and Nina Nesbitt, with Declan McKenna and Bradley Simpson set to perform on Tuesday (May 6) at Stirling Albert Halls. Nathan Evans & Saint PHNX and Caity Baser will round out the gigs with a show at Glasgow Old Fruit Market on May 10.
Last night, Capaldi surprised fans when he joined the ‘Leave A Light On’ artist on stage. Capaldi has been on a break from the spotlight since 2023, when he took to the stage at Glastonbury but saw his performance disrupted by vocal tics, which are a symptom of Tourette’s Syndrome.
Fans poured out of the phone-free gig, which used Yondr phone pouches to stores fans’ devies, and took to social media to share the news, with one X/Twitter user writing: “Lewis Capaldi being a surprise guest was the best thing ever. What a gig.”
Check out more social media reactions below.
A post shared by Tom Walker (@iamtomwalker)
LEWIS MUTHAFUGGIN CAPALDI PERFORMED ON STAGE TODAY pic.twitter.com/tqhgJEWMmB
— 𝔸𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 ♡ (@given_a_chonce) May 3, 2025
lewis capaldi coming out at tom walker oh i’m going to bawl
— ౨ৎ caitlin 🪩 (@sheluvsbws) May 2, 2025
LEWIS FUCKING CAPALDI CAME OUT 😭😭
— danielle is seeing TATE (@allboutdanielle) May 2, 2025
Lewis Capaldi being a surprise guest was the best thing ever. What a gig
— Nicole 🌸 (@Nicole_15__) May 2, 2025
LEWIS CAPALDI PERFORMED ON STAGE IN 2025 WHAT
— 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐲 .☘︎ ݁˖ (@flickerofh0ran) May 3, 2025
“Nights like this remind you what music is really about — connection, community, and looking after each other,” Walker said of the surprise moment. “It meant even more that it was in support of CALM, a charity that I’m lucky enough to be an ambassador for, and one that’s genuinely making a difference for people who are really struggling.
“When Lewis confirmed he wanted to do it last minute, I was delighted. We’ve bumped into each other a few times over the years backstage at fezzys and events and he’s a total legend,” he continued. “I know how much pressure this industry can put on artists at times, especially after a bit of a break. So for him to be able to play a little secret gig in a safe space without all the phones, the noise and the expectations was perfect. I’m buzzing to have been a part of it.”
Capaldi’s most recent public appearance came with a cameo at WWE SmackDown, where the singer-songwriter was spotted in the O2 crowd and he acknowledged fans by flashing the peace sign and giving them a thumbs up.
He was also briefly seen in a backstage segment with Scottish wrestler Drew McIntyre.
In January last year, he gave an update on his health, saying: “It’s been going great!” Later that year, fans spotted him back in the recording studio with Noah Kahan. He also received words of encouragement from Robbie Williams.
More recently, Yungblud shared that Capaldi is working on some “great” new material.
In other news, Universal Music Group has launched a new mental health fund with Music Health Alliance following Chappell Roan‘s Grammys speech advocating for labels to provide developing artists with health care and a livable wage.
The world’s defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what’s new and what’s next since 1952.
When you purchase through affiliate links on NME.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn more
© 2025 NME is part of NME Networks.
