Milton Keynes’ National Bowl feels like a small dish under the mid-June sun. While this might seem like an obvious statement, for the 20,000 goths entering the venue, it resembles a disaster. The one relief amidst the sweltering heat is that they are gathered for Yungblud’s BludFest – a gathering of alternative bands and artists from around the world, emphasizing affordability, individuality, and community.
The music program kicks off with Elìn Hall, the Icelandic singer-songwriter, who provides a rich backdrop as fans stream into the bowl. Her latest single, ‘Heaven To A Heathen,’ offers a lovely introduction, setting a positive tone for the day.
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Once Nxdia arrives on stage, the real party begins. Unfortunately, the speaker stacks struggle during the early songs with their frenetic ‘chaos-pop’, but by the time they perform ‘Feel Anything,’ the issues seem resolved. Alternatively, their energy may just rise above any technical difficulties, and the crowd vibes off it in delight. Their debut album, ‘I’ Promise No One’s Watching,’ has just been released, but tracks like ‘Jennifer’s Body,’ ‘She Likes A Boy,’ and ‘Body On Me’ inspire huge singalongs from the audience.
Meanwhile, on Stage Two, the Cork quartet Cliffords is also seizing the moment. Iona Lynch’s vocals are bold, emotional, and even more powerful live than on their recordings. “This song is about the worst man in Cork,” she announces before diving into the exuberantly fun ‘My Favourite Monster.’ They perform as if they belong on the main stage and should indeed be, yet they maximize their time slot and guarantee their performance stands out that day.
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Despite the eclectic lineup, Denzel Curry’s style of rage rap makes him the day’s standout and, whether he realizes it or not, he ensures he is unforgettable. The crowd hangs on his every drop and chorus throughout songs like ‘Walkin’ and ‘SUMO | ZUMO,’ and the atmosphere becomes electric by the time he reaches ‘Ultimate.’
The two-stage setup guarantees that there’s always music to enjoy, but for those who prefer to stay put, Yungblud has organized fan “villages” across the venue. A pop-up shop showcases Yungblud’s own clothing line, while a tattoo parlor offers attendees a chance to commemorate the day permanently. The Donny Fair features games and prizes and there’s a half-pipe showcasing various skaters throughout the day; however, the Yungblud Exhibition steals the spotlight, brimming with props and costumes from his music videos and live performances. The line-up is captivating in itself, making the wait worthwhile for dedicated fans.
As the sun begins to set, fans position themselves for the best view for the evening’s main acts. Regrettably, they first endure the tedious performance of Chase Atlantic. They go through the motions with ‘Die For Me’ and ‘Ricochet,’ and even when they introduce their new track ‘Face Down,’ it sounds indistinguishable from their usual alt-R&B sound. Without direction; lackluster stage banter; and mediocre pyrotechnics contribute to what emerges as the least favorable set of the day.
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Fortunately, their overlap with Rachel Chinouriri means the discomfort doesn’t last long. “This is the first time I’ve ever headlined at a festival!” she exclaims at the start of her set before performing tracks such as ‘It Is What It Is’ and ‘All I Ever Asked.’ Her infectious energy gets the entire Stage Two audience dancing together, and even when she slows it down for the touching ‘So My Darling,’ the crowd remains utterly captivated. A remarkable turn of events indeed.
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Finally, the moment arrives for the artist whose name is emblazoned above the stage. “I’ve missed you. My fucking clan. My fucking family!” Yungblud exclaims. He completely commands the stage and runway, covering every inch as he blasts through ‘Hello Heaven Hello’ and ‘Lovesick Lullaby.’ The audience eagerly engages with each spectacle, shouting back every lyric as if they themselves are the performers. Confetti cannons and flames enhance the celebratory ambiance, and even live debuts of ‘Change’ and ‘The Greatest Parade’ are received as if they were classics.
Yungblud hardly pauses for breath, pouring every bit of himself into each song on his expansive setlist and chatting with his fans like old friends. Later, he invites punk legend Billy Idol on stage for a duet of ‘White Wedding,’ followed by a high-energy finale filled with fireworks, flames, and fans passionately belting out ‘Ghosts,’ ‘I Think I’m Okay,’ and ‘Zombie.’
Whether you came to BludFest as Yungblud’s biggest admirer or simply a casual listener, it’s hard not to be impressed by the day and its spectacular
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Zeroz has released their brand new single 'Star Kill Lovers', which is inspired by anime. The duo fuses various alternative elements with a love for pop music, merging these styles.
Norwegian artist Jouska, whose real name is Marit Othilie Thorvik, has released her latest single 'Flower Moon,' available through Koke Plate. This marks her first new release since her second project.
Poet and musician Kae Tempest has released the third single, titled ‘Diagnoses’, from their upcoming album ‘Self Titled’, which is set to be released by Island Records on July 4th.
'28 Years Later (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)' by the Mercury Prize-winning Scottish group Young Fathers is now available through Milan Records. The soundtrack consists of 24 tracks.
Milton Keynes’ National Bowl resembles a ramekin basking in the mid-June sun. While this might seem like a statement of the obvious, it holds true for the 20,000 goths streaming into