Yungblud delivered a rock-heavy performance as he celebrated his new album (Image: Getty)
It was a big weekend for Yungblud aka Dom Harrsion: just one day after releasing his fourth studio album Idols, the gates opened for his self-curated festival Bludfest which returned for a second year, and this time, the star was getting exactly what he wanted. The latest album marks a new chapter for the Doncaster star: it’s thoughtful, less chaotic, and noticeably more mature. But after a long campaign building up to its release, instead of giving fans an opportunity to digest it, performing it live almost immediately was the only way in Dom’s eyes to give it the recognition it deserves.
“There’s no better celebration,” he said ahead of his headline slot. “People will form a different connection with the songs they hear live, so it might change someone’s perception of their favourite on the album and I love that.” That trust in his fanbase is what’s made Bludfest possible in the first place. And this year, everything about the setup showed that lessons from the previous year had been learned.
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Gone were the long queues and delays that affected last year’s entry. By early afternoon, the arena was already filling out smoothly. Once inside, the scale of the event felt bigger and better thought out. Fans could head straight into the main stage area, check out the second stage, or explore the returning Yungblud Village.
The village itself had been expanded to include a skate ramp, fairground-style stalls like bingo and hook-a-duck, and a huge Idols truck stocked with new merch.The second stage in particular stood out as a real upgrade. It was positioned where fans could find it more easily and, more importantly, where the performances got the space and attention they deserved.
Nashville-based, up-and-comer, Reece Young opened the stage with his first ever UK performance, later calling it: “the best show he ever played,” explaining the short four day trip was: “a long way to come but worth it.”
The star is ready to take his festival to the next level (Image: Getty)
Throughout the day, Bludfest delivered a series of firsts. Luvcat made her main stage debut, drawing an enthusiastic crowd, while Blackbear returned to live music after a three-year hiatus, even live-streaming part of his set from on stage. Later, Rachel Chinouriri closed out the second stage with her first festival headline set.
Though her crowd wasn’t as large as she deserved – thanks to the relentless sun and a scheduling clash with Chase Atlantic on the main stage – she still delivered a joyous set with both ease and emotion. As a steady stream of crowds moved between the two stages all day long, it showcased just how playing at Bludfest can help elevate artists and their fanbase.
But there was no doubt who the day had been building toward. A sea of Yungblud merch stretched across the arena, some worn-in, others freshly bought by fans and families alike. And as the sun dipped behind the trees at Milton Keynes Bowl, the crowd erupted for the star of the show.
Dressed in a matching leather jacket and trousers, Yungblud swaggered onstage opening with the nine-minute ‘Hello Heaven, Hello’ and making it clear he was ready to take the spotlight.
The stage, which jutted out into the crowd in a long T, let him move between fans with ease as he launched into ‘Lovesick Lullaby’, fully kicking off the set with feverish energy. He tore through ‘The Funeral,’ ‘Strawberry Lipstick,’ and ‘Fleabag’ before vanishing, only to return with an orchestra for a dramatic live debut of ‘The Greatest Parade.’
He knew this was his stage and he loved every minute of it. But even so, he made sure to thank his fans throughout: “This is because of you,” he told the crowd, arms stretched wide. “I love you all.”
From there, he delivered a run of fan favourites: ‘Parents,’ ‘California,’ and ‘Cotton Candy’, while new tracks ‘Change’ and ‘Monday Murder’ slotted seamlessly into the set.
The highlight of the night soon followed. After all, an album titled Idols wouldn’t be complete without a real idol making an appearance. And with that, Yungblud introduced none other than Billy Idol to the stage.
The star was joined on stage by Billy Idol (Image: Getty)
Together, they launched into Billy’s 1982 hit, ‘White Wedding’; two generations of leather-clad rebels sharing the spotlight. Dom dropped to his knees, giving full praise to the star before him. It felt like a clear message: this was the status Dom aspired to in the future.
For the encore, he returned with the iconic ‘Loner’, anthemic newcomer ‘Ghosts’, and the heartful ‘Zombie’. The latter track, given even more weight by its striking music video starring Florence Pugh, hit just as hard live and closed the set with a sense of purpose.
Earlier in the day, I asked Dom what all this meant going forward.
Would Bludfest be sidelined as he focused on his growing stardom or would it start to evolve into something bigger? “I promise I will do one Bludfest a year, minimum,” he said.
Would that be in Milton Keynes or somewhere further afield I nudged? “It’s going international.”
So whether that’s in Prague, Paris, Latvia or South America, it’s clear that Bludfest is here to stay.