Yungblud brings the mosh pits for Teenage Cancer Trust

This year, The Teenage Cancer Trust makes its triumphant return to the Royal Albert Hall. Having been postponed due to the Covid pandemic, this year marked their first shows in 2 years. Tonight’s crowd is certainly a change of pace for the Royal Albert Hall. With the majority of the crowd in their teens or early twenties and dressed head to foot in emo trappings, its about as far from a classic rock crowd as its possible to get.

Opening acts tonight are Daisy Brain (a Nirvana tribute act in everything but name) and the rather impressive funky hip-hop stylings of The Nova Twins. Fresh off the back of an 8 week tour of America, Emo/Pop Punk rapper Yungblud is certainly riding a wave of popularity at the moment. Bursting onto the stage in his schoolboy outfit, tongue firmly in cheek, he proceeds to skip and bounce around every corner of the stage for the next hour.

Tonight Yungblud is backed by a simple combo of just a drummer and a guitar player. He starts up the first mosh pit that I’ve ever seen at the Royal Albert Hall which is a sight to behold in itself. Whether it’s doing his best Angus Young impersonation or donning some rabbit ears and diving head first into the stalls, his energy never dips below frantic, Duracell bunny levels of movement. His adoring fans match his energy and then some, with people in all corners going into fits at his every call and command. His live show is built around audience participation, call and response, and the feeling of community among his fans seems to be the glue holding it all together.

If there is a criticism it could be that some of his songs are not particularly refined or complex. Songs like `Parants` or `I Think I’m OKAY` sound like a general cross between Nirvana and basic, Machine Gun Kelly rap/pop punk backing. In fact many sound like they could have been written by the very audience members they resonate with so much – therein lies a great deal of Yungblud’s appeal it seems.

While some of the songs aren’t particularly remarkable and certainly not revolutionary, it’s the give and take with his audience that brings the whole show to life. Getting everyone to jump feels more like a sweaty Camden club night has been magically transplanted into London’s most prestigious venue.

Yungblud brings out acoustic guitar and violinist for live debut of simple emo ballad ‘It’s Quiet In Beverly Hills’, before getting the whole Albert Hall to join together in wishing his Grandmother a happy 70th birthday. Tonight his encore is the politically charges anthem `Machine Gun (F**K the NRA)` and the circle pit is opened up again. Yungblud leads his fans chanting “wider” alongside screams in support of Ukraine. With a bang of confetti and a final bow Yungblud prances off stage and his adoring fans file into the crisp cold night.

For the full lineup of Teenager Cancer Trust gigs and tickets, follow the link below