The Frankfurt concert of Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi left a lasting impression on fans who attended the event in the German capital.
During the concert, Capaldi experienced a series of uncontrollable tics and strange movements due to his Tourette syndrome. This prevented him from continuing his famous song “Someone You Loved,” prompting the 15,000 fans in attendance to sing the song themselves in support.
Capaldi expressed his concerns that if his condition worsens, he may have to stop performing, as he doesn’t want his shows to be negatively affected.
He told The Times, “It’s only making music that does this to me; otherwise, I can be fine for months, so it’s a weird situation. Right now, the trade-off is worth it, but if it gets to a point where I’m doing irreparable damage to myself, I’ll quit. I hate hyperbole, but it is a real possibility that I will have to pack music in.”
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder that typically appears during childhood or adolescence, before age 18. It is characterized by numerous motor and phonic tics that persist for over a year. Initially, symptoms usually involve involuntary movements (tics) in the face, arms, limbs, or trunk. These tics are frequent, repetitive, and rapid, often beginning with a facial tic such as blinking, nose twitching, or grimacing. Over time, other tics involving the neck, trunk, and limbs may emerge.
These involuntary tics can become complex and involve the whole body, such as kicking and stomping. Many individuals with TS report experiencing premonitory urges to perform motor activities. Other symptoms may include repetitive thoughts, movements, and obsessive disturbances.
Vocal tics may also occur, typically alongside the movements. These vocalizations can range from grunting and throat clearing to screaming and barking. Sometimes, they manifest as coprolalia (involuntary use of obscene words or socially inappropriate phrases) or copropraxia (obscene gestures). Although widely publicized, coprolalia and copropraxia are relatively uncommon in tic disorders.
