Yungblud: “I’ll remember this night forever”.
UK star Yungblud delivered a storming headline performance in the balmy heat at the second “Bludfest” at The National Bowl Milton Keynes last night.
The event, curated by Yungblud aka Dominic Harris, was co-headlined by Chase Atlantic and featured performances by the likes of blackbear, Denzel Curry and Rachel Chinouriri.
A very special moment came after “Tin Pan” and “Braindead” when Yungblud brought out onto the stage, legendary rocker Billy Idol for a cover of his classic “White Wedding”, with Yungblud telling the fans: “About the icons slot… every year I’ll bring an icon to this festival…”.
Fresh from the release of his fourth album this week, “Idols”, before his song “Greatest Parade” he said: “I was so fucking nervous to release this album. It’s been four years in the making, but to see the amount of love that you are giving it… I love you all so much.”
For Yungblud’s set, “Hello, Heaven Hello” was an explosive start, glitter cannons bringing screams from the crowd. The crowd knows every word already and his shirt comes off in the still-scorching heat. Before too long he’s off down the runway and out amongst the fans before strapping on the acoustic guitar. A roaring “Lovesick Lullaby” follows and then into “The Funeral”.
“Holy… I’ve missed you. My clan,” he said, before “Strawberry Lipstick” and then: “I’m just a fleabag nobody loves me…” intros “Fleabag”, perhaps the definitive anthem of teenage-hood. As if any boost was needed, a brass section raised the sky for “Parents”, “California”, “Lowlife” and “Cotton Candy”, and the lighters came out for the anthemic, string-laden “Change”.
Before “Monday Murder” a video was played describing the work of the charity Warchild, and Yungblud gave an impassioned speech: “Please, please look at that number if you can. I want everybody to take a picture of that number right now – Text ‘Hope’ to 70225 to donate £5.
“Get your phones in the air, and take a picture of that number right now. And if you can spare the cash on the way home, donate five pounds. The world at the minute is in turmoil and we have to protect the future.”
“Ghosts” is a song made for stadiums, including a stunning string section, and the final run continued with “11 Minutes”, “I Think I’m Okay” and “Zombie”. “I’ll remember this night forever,” he told the fans as he left the stage.
This was a festival for the people, from the mission to keep prices down to the ‘Make A Friend’ tent which built relationships set to last.
Before the closing act, co-headliners Chase Atlantic tore through an energised set of fan favourites. “I know it’s hot. You guys are troopers,” said singer Mitchel Cave. “Make some noise for yourselves and make some noise for the main man – Yungblud. We go way, way, way back. I’m talking like seven years.”
The band slammed through tracks including “What U Call That” and a huge ‘Into It”. They closed with the blockbuster pairing of “Swim” and “Friends”.
The main stage also saw sets from blackbear, Denzel Curry, Luvcat, Elin Hall and NXDIA, who described the festival as amazing. “The people have been so energetic,” she said. “I’ve been watching all the artists feel so comfortable, just enjoying that time and the space.
“It feels sacred, and I’m obsessed. I’m very grateful to be here. I love that crowd. I love the stage so much. And it feels like everyone’s energy is so high – I just want to dive right in.”
The second stage saw sets from Rachel Chinouriri, Peach PRC, Nieve Ella and Master Peace. The Cliffords singer Iona Lynch said: “We’ve had an unbelievable time great day. Everyone was lovely – a beautiful crowd of lovely, lovely people.”
Reece Young also played the second stage and said it was the best show of his life. “Not because of us, but because of the people,” he said. “And they treated us so well. They didn’t know who we were, and they came and saw us and loved it. So, shout out to Dom. I spoke to him a little bit earlier and said thank you, but that is not enough. I owe him a lot.”
The capacity 65,000 fans present do too, after such a sizzling headline main course and a feast of mouth-watering entrées.
Photo credits:
Fireworks main stage / Yungblud crowd surfing & flames by Ruby Boland
Yungblud on catwalk by Tom Pallant
Yungblud & Billy Idol / Yungblud with microphone in crowd by Alanna Georgette
