To think it was only 4 months ago this 25 year old from Doncaster (UK) was bouncing around the smaller venue circuit shows just how far the winner of the 02 Silver Clef Best Live Act has come. The astrological rise of Yungblud shows as Birmingham’s resorts world Arena is packed to the rafters as the modern day fairy-tale of teenage angst, love and rock and roll goes hand in hand. With support from Wrexham punk rockers Neck Deep the show is off with a bang. From playing about to the adoring audience with cheeky quips to struggling to count how many songs they had left, these lovable rogues are lapping up the audience attention.
“It’s the 2nd time played this song it’s though we’ve released it in time for this tour… or maybe we’re business people.” The young crowd are signing along to ‘Lowlife’ and ‘Can’t Kick Up The Roots,’ bouncing about as frontman Ben asked them to jump about before departing with an invite to their shows for their new found audience.
“10 years feels good to be reaching new people and high energy, fun energy. If music can be there on the other side of the speaker when your going through tough times your welcome to join our shows no matter who you are, who you identify as, you’re welcome we are all here for the same reason and that’s to love live music.”
The crowd are pumping as a curtain fills the stage, as the visuals fill the arena chanting their idols name, bigger than his previous tours and mindful of his loyal followers he has ensured their welfare is at a priority tonight. Access points and help desks in case it gets to much for the younger generation, every thought has been put in to make it accessible for his day ones who may be nervous during the sold out show tonight.
“Uncle Kevin is a new member of family and has been brought in to make sure you are all safe and sound, leave all the shit outside those doors tonight and know you are safe at a Yungblud gig. You are safe here to be yourself no matter what, so are you ready to go f—-ing mental? Are you ready to jump? Are you ready to swear? Are you ready to scream? “
The enthusiasm of the crowd was matched onstage too, dressed in McDonald’s ham burglar pants Yungblud energetically whizzed from one side to the other with high energy as punk pop filled the air. Joking with the crowd about prior gigs he made them all take a pinkie promise promise about the night ahead. With a warehouse feel to the stage he jumped about, guitar riffs and spitting out beats bringing an audience member out of the crowd to play on ‘Fleabag‘ he knows how to give his fans what they want.
With a phenomenal 20 song set list, smashing through the likes of ‘Tissues,’ ‘Doctor Doctor’ and ‘Sweet Heroine,’ dedicating the latter to Brianna Ghey. “Next song goes to a girl called Brianna she was only 17 and had dreams.” Yungblud is in touch with the audience for this poignant moment as it all slows down as he takes to the piano, the arena lights up with camera phone flash and definitely a tear or two. It’s been a while since fans have got such value for their money even in the far seats, he takes to a b stage of a dirty bathroom so there wasn’t a bad view in the house. At one point clambered into the seats performing next to some young kids who looked barely ten years old brought along by their parents it shows age has no boundary here. The crowd were buzzing as he covered Machine Gun Kelly ‘I think I’m ok’ before ending on the anthemic ‘Loner.’
Crying for more the crowd refused to leave, chanting for one more song and giving chance for his anarchist side to come out to play one more time. Cheers and screams as he came on delivering words of wisdom about what’s going on today before bursting into Fan favourite ‘Machine Gun’ aptly changing the words to a certain UK prime minister as the arena erupted.
*Picture Gallery HERE*
