SIX weeks ago, I joined Lewis Capaldi at his local pub in Glasgow to chat about his brilliant new album, which predictably topped the charts shortly afterwards.
So it was tough to watch one of the nicest blokes in the business so visibly struggling as he muddled through his set on the Pyramid Stage – apologising every couple of minutes as his voice began to fail him.
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But what Lewis needs to know is this – he was still brilliant.
The Scottish crooner rattled through an hour of crowd-pleasing bangers wihth perfect poise despite admitting he was struggling, and even hinted at taking the rest of the year off – and it feels like that might be a great move.
I’ve known Lewis for several years, since he began to find success a few years back, and he’s a genius.
His pop ballads are second to none, his voice is the best in the business, and his on-stage patter is as good as any comic you can go to see.
But clearly, as he admits, he’s drained by the pressures of being a superstar.
So here’s hoping he takes a few months of down time and comes back better and brighter than ever.
He deserves it – and we need him.
Dave is a great pretender
DAVE GROHL is officially the busiest man at Glastonbury.
After his surprise set with his band Foo Fighters on Friday night, he joined Guns n’ Roses for fan fave Paradise City and then came on with The Pretenders.
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Singer Chrissie Hynde welcomed Dave to the stage during their performance where he played drums for their 1979 song Tattooed Love Boys.
Speaking to the crowd, Chrissie said: “Apparently there’s a drummer kicking around backstage, we’ve asked security to get rid of him, but he’s a big guy and we don’t want any trouble.
“He insists on playing, so come on out Dave Grohl.”
The Smiths legend Johnny Marr helped out too for hits including Back On The Chain Gang.
And Sir Paul McCartney greeted Chrissie with a hug at the end.
It was an emotional set, with Chrissie telling the crowds: “Glastonbury. How many memories. How many past loves. How many past lives.”
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR celebrated her 18th wedding anniversary yesterday by opening the Pyramid Stage in this gold sequinned outfit.
The Murder On The Dancefloor singer was joined by her husband, The Feeling’s Richard Jones, who plays in her band.
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In between songs, she joked around with the crowd about her camp outfit.
Sophie said: “I did check and my boobs haven’t popped out so that’s alright. Can you apologise to other artists on the line-up like Cat Stevens and Elton about all the tinsel I’ve left on stage?”
Cara’s booze freebie
DRINKS at Glastonbury are extortionate – but it seems not everyone pays full price.
Cara Delevingne was given a free round at a backstage bar on Saturday.
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But punters queuing behind the multimillionaire model, who was at the festival with two pals, weren’t impressed.
One onlooker told me: “Cara got special treatment with her mates. They were told their drinks were on the house, much to the annoyance of one man who kicked up a stink.
“One of her mates even joked they would have ordered doubles if they’d have known.”
After paying £6.50 for warm pints in paper cups, I totally get what the fuss was about.
But if I was Cara, I’d be lapping up the free drinks.
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Jordan: Festival’s in-tents
JORDAN NORTH has spent three days broadcasting live from Worthy Farm with his Radio 1 co-host Vick Hope – but he has one wish for next time he comes to the festival.
In an exclusive chat backstage, he said: “I wanted to camp.
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“We are off site, everyone thinks we’re in fancy accommodation but we’re not. We’re in a hotel so we can go and shower.
“I don’t mind a bit of grub. It’s all part of the experience.”
After his work was done, Jordan said he was heading out to enjoy the festival with two of his closest pals from Burnley.
He said: “They have been going all day so I have a lot of catching up to do. I’ll be on my best behaviour.”
I don’t doubt it, Jordan. Cheers!
Rita is praising the roof
IT’S not a party unless Rita Ora is on the guest list.
The singer arrived at Glastonbury on Saturday for a surprise cameo during Fatboy Slim’s headline set on the Park Stage.
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She had jetted to Worthy Farm from Sydney, Australia, earlier that day.
Dressed in a corset dress, Rita rocked festival chic as she belted out their single Praising You.
The track is a reworking of the DJ’s Nineties hit Praise You.
Next month Rita will release her third album You And I, which is her most personal yet.
It sees her touch on everything from partying to finding The One in director Taika Waititi.
She may have curbed her wild ways but it’s good to see Rita still can’t resist the pull of a good festival.
Dominic first in line for dancing
NO one can accuse Dominic Cooper of not being up for a party.
The Mamma Mia! actor could not resist showing off his dance moves on Saturday night.
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Dressed in dark shades and straw hat, the actor was spotted line dancing with a pal in a deserted bar while bemused staff watched on.
He continued the night by checking out Fatboy Slim’s late-night headline set.
IT was her first UK show in four years but Lana Del Rey was still late.
That meant she had to have her hair and make-up done on stage while she performed – and then got cut off.
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The chaotic headline set on the festival’s Other Stage on Saturday kicked off at 11pm, which was 30 minutes later than planned.
She told the crowd: “I was so f***ing late that I’m about to rush through this set. My hair takes so long.”
At another point, she missed the chorus of her song Ride because she was fiddling with her shoe.
But the true confusion came when it hit midnight and her mic was switched off, before she could sing her hits Summertime Sadness and Video Games.
She tried to appeal to the crowd with gesticulations but then the big screens were also switched off.
Hopefully she is on better form – and gets to the salon earlier – when she headlines British Summertime Hyde Park in a fortnight.
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