RAC Arena Perth Western Australia on the 17 December 2025
Review and Photography by Cassandra Edwards
Last night, Lewis Capaldi put on a show that was equal parts heart, humour and pure vocal magic at the curtain call of the Australian/New Zealand leg. The tour sparks a global comeback after stepping away at the peak of his career momentum in 2023.
Despite the Glastonbury alumnus was performing on one of Perth’s biggest stages to a sold-out crowd, it felt like a big night out with a friend who happens to sing like an angel.
Lewis Capaldi in Perth 2025. Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
The night opened with “Survive”. It was the perfect way to set the mood: strong, emotional, and right in the sweet spot between rock-tinged pop and something you could belt out at the top of your lungs. The crowd sang every line, hands in the air, phones out, vibes high.
The entire arena was still, with fans from every age swaying back and forwards to Capaldi’s stunning vocals. He didn’t rush through the setlist. He took his time between songs, chatting to the crowd, cracking jokes, and keeping things light. His casual humour which he’s known so well for is a massive part of what makes him so lovable to watch live.
The setlist mixed new songs from his latest album with older favourites, giving everyone something to sing along to. But what made it so good wasn’t just the songs, it was the way they were delivered. Capaldi lives in his lyrics, and he doesn’t hide that. It felt like he dragged every emotion out of them and laid it right on the floor for you to feel too.
Lewis Capaldi in Perth 2025. Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
One of the standout moments came mid-way through when he played “Bruises.” In the packed out RAC Arena, it wasn’t just him singing it. “There must be something in the water?” echoed back so loud and clear it filled the arena. The general standing area swayed back and forth. It felt like everyone there was having a shared moment, almost like we were part of the song ourselves.
During the set, a second microphone stand appeared which garnered whispers from the crowd. Capaldi then let us in on how much he loves Australia, and mentioned one of his favourite local bands Royel Otis. After a small story about a drunken agreement, he invited the indie pop duo onto stage to sing “Til The Morning.” The surprise came with a roar from the crowd and they both delivered the song.
Lewis Capaldi in Perth 2025. Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
But then came a quieter, even more emotional turn followed. Lewis sat on a stool, just him and his piano and launched into “The Day That I Die.” An introduction about how this song came from a darker period in his life, invited everyone to share the moment with him as he started playing. Phones went up and lit the arena like stars scattered across the sky, and for a solid few minutes, the whole place was silent except for his voice. It was raw, gentle, and the kind of performance that left people breathless. You could see it on faces and feel it in the room that moment cut through the stillness like nothing else that night.
As the gig wore on, he ran through more of his big songs, including “Before You Go.” He invited his support acts, Aaron Rowe and Fletcher Kent back onto the stage to sing with him. It made that song feel even bigger and more communal, like a celebration. The voices blending together, the crowd joining in, it was one of those moments where you just felt every lyric.
Capaldi then joked to the crowd that the gig was definitely over and that he definitely wasn’t coming back out, even though he still hadn’t played his biggest hit, “Someone You Loved.” People laughed, cheered, and stood around for a bit and then, after a couple of minutes of standing to the side, he walked back out.
Lewis Capaldi in Perth 2025. Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
He opened the encore with “Hold Me While You Wait,” belting it out like the arena was his living room. The energy was electric. Then came “Someone You Loved.” That’s the one people came to sing along to. The whole arena was in harmony, voices raised together, singing the chorus louder than the speakers. Quiet stillness filled the space, but everyone was there, united in the song.
This was one of those gigs where you walk out afterwards feeling full – full of emotion, full of sound, full of connection. It didn’t matter where you were sitting or how many times you’d seen him before, last night felt like something special. Lewis Capaldi didn’t just play his hits; he shared a piece of himself, joked with us, surprised us, and made us all feel like part of the night.
If you’re a fan and even if you weren’t a huge fan before, you left that arena feeling a little bit changed. That’s the kind of night that sticks with you.
Editor’s note: Congratulations to Lewis Capaldi on a sold‑out Australia & New Zealand tour – the first outside the UK and Ireland since his two‑year hiatus in 2023. We wish him continued success throughout 2026.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank revolutions per minute, Live Nation Australia, Secret Sounds and Lewis Capaldi for the photo and review accreditation.
Lewis Capaldi in Perth 2025. Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
Lewis Capaldi in Perth 2025. Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
Lewis Capaldi in Perth 2025. Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
Lewis Capaldi in Perth 2025. Photo by Cassandra Edwards/ Sheldon Ang Media
Setlist, Lewis Capaldi 17tth December 2025 – Perth 2025
Survive – Survive EP (2025)
Grace – Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (2019)
Heavenly Kind of State of Mind – Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent (2023)
Forever – Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (2019)
Wish You the Best – Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent (2023)
Love the Hell Out of You – Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent (2023)
Almost – Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (2019)
Bruises – Single / Bloom EP (2017)
Pointless – Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent (2023)
Something in the Heavens – Survive EP (2025)
Til the Morning (Royel Otis cover, with Otis Pavlovic) – Royel Otis original (2023)
Leave Me Slowly – Survive EP (2025)
Forget Me – Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent (2023)
The Pretender – Survive EP (2025)
The Day That I Die – Survive EP (2025)
Before You Go (with Aaron Rowe & Fletcher Kent) – Single / Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent (Deluxe)
Hold Me While You Wait – Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (2019)
Someone You Loved – Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (2019)
About the Photographer/Writer: Cass Edwards is a Gamilaraay woman and Perth-based photographer working across music, sport (AFL, NRL, Australian Ice Hockey League) and live events, with a strong focus on live music and artist storytelling. Cass has captured performances ranging from rising local talent to major international artists. She is known for her cinematic style, making every frame feel big, emotional, and poster-worthy.
About SAM: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to over 200 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth Melbourne), AC/DC, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP and P!NK with reviews shared by the likes of Suzi Quatro, Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, Christopher Cross and Leo Sayer on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N’ Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS), and over 100 other artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.