Lewis Capaldi returned to New Zealand last night, playing to a packed Christchurch crowd at Wolfbrook Arena. It was a concert that felt more like catching up with an old mate than watching a global superstar.
Starting the night with two incredible openers, Jude Kelly delivered vocals powerful enough to out-sing a church choir. And then there was Aaron Rowe - Ireland’s newest export and my mum’s new favourite human being, who just eighteen months ago was singing covers in pubs.
Now, if there’s one thing I learned at this show, it’s that sometimes all you really need is a good voice, a decent polo shirt, and the confidence to joke about your third testicle in front of thousands of people.
Lewis Capaldi's first show on tour did all of that and more. When the arena went black, the crowd erupted. Lewis walked on without a word, launching straight into Survive. The man wastes no time.
In true Lewis fashion, there were no flashy outfits, no giant props. Just a simple polo top and one ridiculously good voice. That’s all he needed to own the place.
Between songs, Lewis gave us what we really wanted, his chaotic banter. At one point, referencing his “third testie,” sending the crowd into absolute hysterics.
Later, when someone yelled, “It’s my 20th birthday!” he shot back with a deadpan “Oh, nice,” before admitting he was now in a bad mood because he isn’t 20 anymore. He even quoted Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: “Life comes at you fast.”
Weirdest part for a concert in 2025? People barely had their phones out. People were too busy dancing, yelling, or watching their parents show them how to properly send it on a Sunday night. The energy was infectious - joyful, messy, and completely unfiltered.
Lewis talked openly about the mental and physical struggles that forced him to cancel his 2023 tour. Two years on, he told the crowd, “Now I’m in the best form of my life. It feels amazing”.
It was truly a touching moment to see him back on stage doing what he loved. It was a feeling that was mutually felt around the arena, with tears being shared throughout the performance.
He then performed The Day That I Die, a song he wrote while, in his words was at “rock bottom.” It was vulnerable, raw and powerful; it hit the entire room right in the chest.
He attempted to “end” the show, but the crowd wasn’t having it. Lewis admitted he stood offstage for two minutes, only to realise we could all see him the whole time. “Embarrassing,” he laughed, before returning for three more songs.
The encore included a stunning Hold Me While You Wait, which is 10x better live. Closing the night with Someone You Loved. A perfect finish to night one of the tour.
Before leaving, he promised it wouldn’t be another five years before he was back, and judging by how much he loved being on that stage, we’ll hold him to it.
LEWIS CAPALDI CHRISTCHURCH SETLIST:
Survive
Grace
Heavenly Kind of State of Mind
Forever
Wish You the Best
Love the Hell Out of You
Almost
Bruises
Pointless
Something in the Heavens
Leave Me Slowly
Forget Me
The Pretender
The Day That I Die
Before You Go
How I'm Feeling Now
Hold Me While You Wait
Someone You Loved
Published by James Methven
01 Dec 2025