Paolo Nutini buys Capaldi's Chewbacca mask and launches charity fundraiser

The money raised will go to a charity set up in memory of Frightened Rabbit frontman, Scott Hutchison

Author: Max SteelePublished 29th Jul 2019

Paolo Nutini has bought the infamous Chewbacca mask worn by Lewis Capaldi during his performance at the TRNSMT festival after the original top bidders pulled out.

The £10,000 price tag will be donated to the mental health charity, Tiny Changes which was set up by the family of Frightening Rabbit frontman, Scott Hutchison who took his own life in May, 2018.

Paolo has also set up a competition to win the mask and raise more money for the charity.

The original auction was set up by a TRNSMT festival staff member who lent Lewis his Chewbacca mask for his walk on stage at this year's show.

After Noel Gallagher said that Lewis should 'enjoy his 15 minutes' of fame, as well as likening him to Chewbacca, Capaldi changed his social media profile picture and name to 'Chewis Capaldi'.

Then, live on the TRNSMT Main Stage on Sunday 14th July, he walked on to a tongue-in-cheek video montage wearing the Chewbacca mask.

Lewis also gave a shout out to Noel by covering ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ – changed to ‘Don’t Chewback in Anger’.

Tiny Changes takes its name from a lyric from the Frightened Rabbit song “Head Rolls Off” (“While I’m alive, I’ll make tiny changes to Earth”).

Paolo Nutini said: "I really wanted to find a way to help out the Tiny Changes Charity.

"Not only am I a big fan of Frightened Rabbit but I was lucky enough to share the stage with them on various occasions - most memorably for me on Hogmanay in Edinburgh 2017.

“Scott was such a great and honest songwriter who was not afraid to convey what he was going through in such a beautiful and honest way.

"People could hear and read their troubles in his lyrics and be reminded that they were not alone in how they were feeling. That really is the power of music.

"When I found out what happened regarding the money raised for the kind donation from the team at DF Concerts and Lewis Capaldi, I felt like I could help.

"The idea is now to give people another chance to take it home and contribute to this very important cause. Big Love”

A message from Scott’s family: "Once again we’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who has gone above and beyond to make this happen.

"We’d like to thank DF concerts, Paolo Nutini and his team and of course Lewis Capaldi and his face.

"We hope you can all be a part of this wonderfully weird little story and get your name in the pot to win this mask. Many tiny changes can start the movement for massive changes"