Words and photos by Lucy Fudge
Following his triumphant return last summer, Lewis Capaldi has continued to speak openly about his struggles with tourette syndrome and mental health, working with charities such as BetterHelp to offer support to others who need it. This time round, Capaldi partnered up with Carers Trust and ABLE2UK to throw an extra-special concert for primary caregivers at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, offering carers and their guests the chance to attend a concert that prioritised their needs.
Across the venue, security and staff are on hand to ensure the safety and comfort of every single audience member, with the front portion of the venue and an extended viewing platform set aside for wheelchair users. Of the ten or so photographers in the pit, over half are using a mobility aid of some variety, and though the pit has only been extended by around a meter, the difference it makes is striking.
The evening begins with a set from the phenomenal Dermot Henry, followed by a few words from the founder and CEO of Able2UK, Howard Thorpe, all accompanied by an incredible BSL interpreter.
When the time comes for Capaldi to take to the stage, the crowd erupts into cheers and the energy in the room turns electric as he opens his set with ‘Hollywood’. As Capaldi begins working his way through the setlist, the BSL interpreter alongside him continues to give an equally captivating performance, conveying every emotion behind Capaldi’s words with his movements.
It comes as no surprise that the show is an emotional one, but as Capaldi sings ‘Survive’ in a room full of people who know all too well how exhausting it can be to simply exist, the lyrics “I’ve still got something to give / though it hurts sometimes” have never felt so true.
It is impossible to describe the wave of emotions that washes over you as you look around the room and see the unrestrained joy radiating from each audience member. Although no two people in this room have had the same experience, tonight they have a shared understanding of the impact that disability has on everyday life; and that is magical. The concert shows that the result of an accessible and judgement-free space is a room overflowing with love and acceptance.
As the concert nears its end, Capaldi shares his gratitude with everyone who made the evening possible, before stating, “Hopefully we can do something like this again; I’d love to do more like this. I think it’s pretty cool.” Finishing the set with ‘Someone You Loved’, he lets the crowd take the lead in the final chorus, playing the guitar while taking in the chorus of voices beyond the stage.
As Howard Thorpe so perfectly put it in his speech, we all need care at some point in our lives, yet the hard work and dedication of the people who continue to support us is so often dismissed. From the constant threat of disability benefit cuts to the tedious remarks about how “everyone seems to be disabled these days”, living with a disability continues to be an anxiety-fuelled endeavour for many disabled people and their carers.
Accessibility is a right, not a privilege, and yet disabled people continue to be blocked out of so many aspects of life. While we continue to push and advocate for our right to equal experiences, it is groundbreaking to see artists like Lewis Capaldi using their career to host accessible events, offering disabled individuals the chance to comfortably experience live music, while also celebrating the incredible, hardworking carers who support them every day.
There is still a long way to go, but no matter how small the steps may be, at least we’re heading in the right direction, and hopefully we will be seeing more events like this one in the future.
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