Lewis Capaldi Says Female Artists ‘Get Picked Apart a Bit More Than Male Artists’

NEED TO KNOW

• Lewis Capaldi is noticing the higher bar set for female artists in the music industry

• He applauded Chapell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo for helping make the pop music genre “really cool now”

• Capaldi returned to the music industry in June after a two-year hiatus

Lewis Capaldi is calling out the higher bar set for female artists.

During an appearance on the Creativo podcast on Aug. 11, the Scottish singer-songwriter spoke about the differences female and male artists can face in the music industry.

When chatting with host Roberto Mtz about pop music having a resurgence right now, Capaldi, 28, agreed that the genre “is really cool now.”

He also shouted out artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. “It’s really being spearheaded by women, I think, as well just now. I think women are really smashing it in pop and making the most interesting music at the minute.”

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Capaldi also theorized why there are so many women in the pop music genre at the moment.

“Women seem to get up there and put everything into a performance, and it’s all really thought out,” he said, adding: “A lot of guys get up there, myself included, in a T-shirt and jeans and just sing.”

The “Someone You Loved” artist said that it’s a “very valid criticism,” but did point out some musicians play things up more than others.

“Obviously, you’ve got people like Harry [Styles] and I guess Benson Boone and stuff like that ,who are maybe pushing more the sort of theatrical side of things ,or you know, Conan Gray,” said Capaldi.

He continued, “I think there is more expected of [women] in the pop-sphere. A woman wouldn’t get away with getting up and singing a song in their T-shirt and jeans and sort of not caring.”

Capaldi said it was “not fair” and there was a “higher bar.” “I feel like they get picked apart a bit more than male artists when it comes to stuff like that,” he said.

Capaldi returned to the music world in 2025, surprising the crowd at Glastonbury after a two-year, self-imposed hiatus from the industry, which began after he struggled to finish his 2023 Glastonbury set. The musician has been open about his struggles with anxiety and Tourette’s syndrome.

“Glastonbury it’s so good to be back,” he told the crowd. “I’m not going to say much up here today because if I did I might start crying.”

Capaldi continued: “It’s just amazing to be here with you all and I can’t thank you all enough for coming out and coming and seeing me. Second time’s a charm on this one, everybody.”

“I just wanted to come and finish what I couldn’t finish the first time round on this stage. I want to thank everybody at Glastonbury for giving me the chance to do so,” he concluded.

Up next for Capaldi are tour dates throughout the U.K. this September, before heading to New Zealand and Australia for shows in November and December.

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