WithWOW What’s On WalesOnline

Lewis Capaldi Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff ★★★★I

WHAT a year Lewis Capaldi has had.

From a number one best selling album, to being nominated at the Grammy’s and winning Best New Artist and Song of the Year at the Brit Awards.

And now the Scottish singersongwriter is in Cardiff to headline his first gig at the Motorpoint Arena.

Starting the gig as he means to go on, the pop-star-of-themoment entered the stage to a video clip of Capaldi losing out to Billie Eilsh’s Bad Guy for Best Pop Song at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Opening the sell out show with his hit song Grace, he went on to perform tracks from his number one debut album – Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, singing favourites like Bruises, Hollywood, Hold Me While You Wait and Before You Go.

He told the crowd that he can’t remember the last night time he came to Wales and that he “wished he came more”, referencing the fact that the last time he was here it wasn’t to a crowd as big as this.

It’s not just his voice that wows the crowds, it’s also his hilarious on stage banter. His vocals during the night were outstanding – a voice you have to hear live.

Throughout the night, Lewis charmed the

UNDERTAKING a massive European and American tour Samantha Fish played to a sold out Globe, Cardiff, and left everyone asking the question “why is this lady not a household name”?

It will not be long before that happens judging her performance this evening as she is a rare talent, a combination of great guitar playing, superb singing, image and songs.

Playing nearly all the songs from her latest album ‘Kill or be Kind,’ ‘Bulletproof’ and the title track set the atmosphere for the evening, playing her Stogie Box Blues Cigar sonically screaming, with her slide playing something to watch and admire.

It’s Rock, but not as we know it, many blends of genres are presented in each song, the laid back soulful ‘Love Letter’ the country rock blues of ‘Watch It Die’ the funky groove of ‘Little Baby,’ ‘Rock Blues,’ ‘Bitch on the Run’ and the beautiful ‘Fairweather’

Fish sings and plays with great crowd in between performances with his wit and humour - often leaving the crowds in fits of laughter. A woman even threw their bra onto the stage which Capaldi picked up and put on. His sweary and jokey persona is what makes him so likeable and relatable to everyone. Capaldi ended the night with his smash hit Someone You Loved – which he performed on a stage towards the back of the arena. The crowd sang and shouted the words back to him.

The gig finished around 10.20pm and the 23-year-old left fans wanting more, but the short concert was expected as Capaldi only has one album.

It’s very rare you will go to a concert where one minute you feel like you are at a comedy gig and the next you are singing along to emotional power ballads.

The show overall proved to be one that got the crowds singing along and laughing throughout the night.

I’ve got a feeling that this guy will soon be selling out stadiums across the country. emotion and is indeed a brilliant guitarist, but what impressed most was the songs and stunning performance by herself and a great band of musicians. Special mention to Nicholas David a man with a great voice too, as heard on the duet with Samantha on‘Say Goodbye’

Samantha Fish is a rising star, she has been around a while with over six albums of music to her name the Monroe-like blonde from Kansas City has the look and talent to go far, with her latest album she seems more complete and her songwriting and melodies have grown in maturity.

She is certainly a lady to listen to and, even better live, and with her shows selling out pretty quickly, on this superb performance it is easy to see why.