NEWS
Bludfest returns: Yungblud delivers iconic headline set with surprise Billy Idol appearance
22 June 2025
Yungblud returned to The National Bowl Milton Keynes last night (June 21st, 2025) for the second annual BLUDFEST, fresh off the release of his new album, Idols. The event, personally curated by the genre-bending artist, saw him deliver an explosive headline performance that cemented his status as a formidable live act.
The festival, co-headlined by Chase Atlantic, featured an impressive lineup including blackbear, Denzel Curry, and Rachel Chinouriri. True to its mission, BLUDFEST maintained an accessible price point and fostered community spirit with initiatives like the 'Make A Friend' tent, emphasizing its "festival for the people" ethos.
Yungblud's set was a whirlwind of energy. Opening with "Hello, Heaven Hello," complete with glitter cannons, he quickly shed his shirt in the scorching heat, venturing into the crowd before an acoustic interlude. Hits like "Lovesick Lullaby," "The Funeral," and the anthemic "Fleabag" – which he introduced as "arguably the definitive anthem of teenagehood" – had the "clan" singing every word.
Mid-set, Yungblud spoke emotionally about his new album, Idols, a project four years in the making: "I was so f***ing nervous to release this album... but to see the amount of love that you are giving it… I love you all so much." The performance saw a brass section elevate tracks like "Parents" and "California," while lighters lit up the arena for "Change."
A powerful moment saw Yungblud champion the charity Warchild, urging fans to donate. The evening's biggest surprise arrived with the appearance of rock legend Billy Idol, who joined Yungblud for a blistering rendition of his classic "White Wedding." Yungblud declared his intention to bring an "icon" to the festival every year. The night concluded with stadium-ready anthems like "Ghosts" and "Zombie," leaving Yungblud to declare, "I’ll remember this night forever."
Co-headliners Chase Atlantic delivered an energized set, with singer Mitchel Cave acknowledging the heat and praising Yungblud. Earlier in the day, the main stage hosted electric performances from Luvcat, Elin Hall, and NXDIA, who described the crowd as "so energetic." The second stage saw acclaimed sets from Peach PRC, Nieve Ella, and Master Peace, with The Cliffords and Reece Young also celebrating unforgettable performances.
The festival, co-headlined by Chase Atlantic, featured an impressive lineup including blackbear, Denzel Curry, and Rachel Chinouriri. True to its mission, BLUDFEST maintained an accessible price point and fostered community spirit with initiatives like the 'Make A Friend' tent, emphasizing its "festival for the people" ethos.
Yungblud's set was a whirlwind of energy. Opening with "Hello, Heaven Hello," complete with glitter cannons, he quickly shed his shirt in the scorching heat, venturing into the crowd before an acoustic interlude. Hits like "Lovesick Lullaby," "The Funeral," and the anthemic "Fleabag" – which he introduced as "arguably the definitive anthem of teenagehood" – had the "clan" singing every word.
Mid-set, Yungblud spoke emotionally about his new album, Idols, a project four years in the making: "I was so f***ing nervous to release this album... but to see the amount of love that you are giving it… I love you all so much." The performance saw a brass section elevate tracks like "Parents" and "California," while lighters lit up the arena for "Change."
A powerful moment saw Yungblud champion the charity Warchild, urging fans to donate. The evening's biggest surprise arrived with the appearance of rock legend Billy Idol, who joined Yungblud for a blistering rendition of his classic "White Wedding." Yungblud declared his intention to bring an "icon" to the festival every year. The night concluded with stadium-ready anthems like "Ghosts" and "Zombie," leaving Yungblud to declare, "I’ll remember this night forever."
Co-headliners Chase Atlantic delivered an energized set, with singer Mitchel Cave acknowledging the heat and praising Yungblud. Earlier in the day, the main stage hosted electric performances from Luvcat, Elin Hall, and NXDIA, who described the crowd as "so energetic." The second stage saw acclaimed sets from Peach PRC, Nieve Ella, and Master Peace, with The Cliffords and Reece Young also celebrating unforgettable performances.
