NEWS
Lewis Capaldi made a triumphant return to Glastonbury on Friday (June 27) in an unannounced Pyramid Stage performance – watch footage below.
Rumours had been swirling all week that the Scottish singer would fill the ‘TBA’ slot at 16:55 on the festival’s main stage, and whispers were further heightened when he released the powerful new single ‘Survive’ earlier today (June 27), his first new material since 2023.
The hopes were realised when he walked out in front of a giant sundrenched crowd and he soaked in their adulation, with the Pyramid audience immediately chanting his name back at him.
Capaldi last played at Worthy Farm in 2023, but throughout the set he struggled with tics brought on by Tourette’s and he ended the show prematurely. Fans had helped him that day, with his set being met with an outpouring of support from both those in attendance and those watching at home. One mother of a teenager with Tourette’s hailed the performance as “amazingly powerful” and said that she was “in tears” over it.
His return to the Pyramid served as a form of redemption, with Capaldi delivering a rousing and emotional 35-minute set of his best-loved tracks.
He opened with spirited renditions of ‘Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent’ singles ‘Before You Go’ and ‘Grace’, with the crowd singing along enthusiastically.
Addressing the crowd, he went on to say: “Glastonbury, it’s so good to be back. I’m not going to say much up here today, because if I do I think I’ll probably start crying. It’s just amazing to be here with you all and I can’t thank you all enough for coming out and seeing me.”
“Second time’s a charm on this one, everybody. We’re just going to do a short set today, I just wanted to come and finish what I couldn’t finish the first time round on this stage. I want to thank everyone at Glastonbury for letting me do so.”
He then quipped: “Also, this was like the worst kept fucking secret. So who’s been fucking telling people?!”
After ‘Hold Me While You Wait’, he said playfully chided the audience for singing his name, saying, “We’re on tight schedule here”. He added that he “hasn’t been on stage in two years”, and choked up as he thanked the crowd for showing up once again.
Introducing the new single ‘Survive’, Capaldi said: “The last two years haven’t been the best for me, it’s been difficult at times. I wanted to make a song that was about overcoming that stuff and getting through it. This has been my fucking goal, to get back here doing this. So this song is about that.”
“I’ve really missed doing this in the last two years. As I say, it’s been difficult at times, thinking maybe this wouldn’t ever happen again. I couldn’t sing this song two years ago for a different reason, I think I might struggle for another reason this time.”
“I’m Lewis Capaldi and I’m fucking back, baby!” he concluded, before launching into a massive singalong version of ‘Someone You Loved’, with the crowd taking on the final chorus a cappella as Capaldi fought back tears on stage.
‘Before You Go’
‘Grace’
‘Hold Me While You Wait’
‘Bruises’
‘Survive’
‘Forget Me’
‘Someone You Loved’
Capaldi’s set followed on from sets from Lorde, Supergrass, CMAT and Wet Leg, with The 1975, Biffy Clyro and Loyle Carner among those set to round out the Friday line-up.
Check back at NME here for the latest news, reviews, interviews, photos and more from Glastonbury 2025.
NEWS
Rappers are always debating who belongs on the greatest of all time lists, and now Max B is putting his own name beside some of New York’s biggest legends. Conversations about the GOATs of Hip Hop have been part of the culture for years, and during a recent sit down on Million Dollaz Worth of Game with Gillie and Wallo alongside French Montana, Max made it clear where he believes he stands among NYC rap icons.
“Look, after Big, Jay, and Nas, you can put me on that mothf*cker right after that,” Max said confidently. “That’s how I feel about it after that. I can prove it.” He continued by saying, “After them, you can’t really... put ’em up.” Wallo stepped in to make sure Max truly believed he deserved to be mentioned beside the heavyweights of Hip Hop.
“So, after Big, Jay, Nas, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane...” Wallo started to say before Max cut him off. Gillie then brought LL Cool J into the discussion as well. Max responded, “When it comes to creativity, or just consistent songwriting, I just don’t think anybody got the catalog to match me. Look at my catalog! Look at my tapes! Look at my domains!... Look at the Coke Wave!”
French Montana also jumped into the conversation, pointing out that some rappers only stay hot for a short moment before fading out. Wallo pushed back by mentioning that Big Daddy Kane has managed to remain respected for decades. Max quickly dismissed that argument. “Kane? I ain’t seen Kane? When’s the last time you seen Big Daddy Kane? N*gga, I just did 18 years, I ain’t seen Kane, he wasn’t even on the kiosk! Big Daddy Kane?!”
Do you think Max B’s legacy really puts him above some of the other legendary New York emcees? Watch the clip below and decide for yourself.
