Reviews

Yungblud live in Birmingham: punk rebellion and a lot of heart

Written by Aggie Anthimidou on October 20, 2021

Birmingham O2 Academy, 14^th October 2021

Things are happening for Dominic Harrison (aka Yungblud). Since lockdown restrictions have lifted, he has already taken over London’s Forum in Kentish Town for a five-night residency and is currently on a sold-out UK tour including his biggest show to date; a 10,000 strong, fan-filled evening at London’s Ally Pally.

Tonight’s show is no exception. Birmingham’s O2 Academy is packed to the rafters with his tight-knit community of fans (The Black Hearts Club) that found a safe space in Harrison’s music and all that Yungblud represents. He has a lot to say. With songs addressing topics like sexual assault, mental health, sexual identity; Yungblud has already built a cult, loyal following on both sides of the pond.

The show is exactly what Yungblud is. An eclectic mix of theatricality, rock star quality, rioting and music genre fluidity. Hopping from pop-punk rebellion, West Coast rock, ska, hip hop to softer balladry. After all, as he says to his fans just before ‘Anarchist’:

“You can be what the fuck you wanna be without judgement. You can look like what the fuck you wanna look like. You can love whoever the fuck you wanna love. And you can identify in any fuckin’ way you wanna identify.”

Behind his fiery red hair, black lipstick and eccentricity is an artist with a lot of heart, unique approachability and connection with his audience. Fans are following Harrison’s requests: to sing along, light up the venue with their phones, form mosh pits during ‘ice cream man’, tell him they love him. Having three generations present under one roof is no easy feat.

‘I think I’m OK’ is a crowd pleaser and one of the evening’s highlights. Yungblud seems overwhelmed and takes a moment to take it all in. ‘teresa’ – delivered with a Union Jack piano – offers for a pause before gradually elevating fans again during the encore.

But it is the show’s finale ‘Machine Gun (F**k the NRA)’ – from his first album ‘21^stCentury Liability’ – that leaves fans with that Yungblud quality that won them over in the first place; that of a trailblazing, outspoken punk with a creative soul and heaps of charisma.