Lewis Capaldi has praised female pop stars for raising the bar when it comes to live performances – admitting that many male artists, himself included, don’t put in the same level of effort.
Speaking on the Creativo podcast, the Scottish singer-songwriter, 28, shared his admiration for women in pop, saying they’re “spearheading” the genre and delivering the most compelling music and stagecraft right now.
He said: “It’s really being spearheaded by women, I think.
“I think women are really smashing it in pop and making the most interesting music at the minute.”
He added: “Women seem to get up there and put everything into a performance, and it’s all really thought out. A lot of guys get up there, myself included, in a T-shirt and jeans and just sing.”
While he gave a nod to Harry Styles and rising star Benson Boone as exceptions to the rule, Capaldi suggested that many male artists could take a cue from their female counterparts when it comes to showmanship and presentation.
The comments come as female pop stars continue to dominate global charts and stages – from Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour to Beyoncé’s visually stunning Cowboy Carter shows. Acts like Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, and Doja Cat have also earned praise for their high-concept performances and bold aesthetics.
Meanwhile, Capaldi recently acknowledged that therapy has played a “massive part” in his musical comeback.
The Survive singer performed on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury, two years after he was forced to end his set early amid his struggles with Tourette syndrome, and Capaldi conceded that therapy has changed his life.
In a video chat with BetterHelp, he explained: “Therapy is the reason why I am able to be a musician again. I don’t think I’ll ever stop going to therapy after the impact it’s had on my life over the past two years.”