Words: Joy McKay. Photos: Rhona Murphy.
Last night Southampton was treated to a very special ‘Up Close and Personal’ gig from Yungblud (15/7/25).
An artist more commonly seen selling out arenas worldwide, or recently alongside Ozzy Osbourne at the Black Sabbath farewell concert. he has chosen Southampton as one of five UK cities, (alongside London, Dundee, Liverpool and Bristol) to perform more intimate record store out shows (this one in association with Vinilo) as part of the launch of his latest 12 track album ‘Idols’, which was released last month. Recorded in Leeds, close to his hometown, this forms the first part of a double LP, (the release date of the second half yet to be announced). The style of this album is a slight departure from his earlier work, more melancholy, more mature perhaps? But influences from Bowie, My Chemical Romance, Freddie Mercury and The Cure are clear.
This show was only a short, stripped down, set of seven songs, all from Idols, but each one sung beautifully and with passion. We were told not to expect “the full Yungblud experience”. Still the crowd was enthusiastic, and the performance did not disappoint; his energy not at all turned down to match the venue size.
We didn’t need the bells and whistles of a large-scale tour. Yungblud’s stage presence was mesmerising. We jumped and screamed and sang on demand but listened quietly and intently between songs. He spoke about how much of himself he had poured into the songwriting, how very personal each track was, and it was really moving. You could tell that this music was created not to sell records or sell out concert venues, but because he needs to create, to explore himself and to be alive.
Idols has already reached number 1 in the album charts, a worldwide area tour is already on sale. So why was Yungblud here, in our sleepy little city on a Tuesday evening? As soon as he walked on stage you could understand why. He was more excited to be there even than his fans; all smiles and thank-you’s. This is a guy who loves his craft and loves watching the reception when he’s performing. He asked for the house lights to be switched on multiple times so he could see our faces as we listened. This intimacy, really engaging with the audience, is something he clearly misses at arena shows.
Buy the album, go see the Idols tour, but if you get the opportunity to see Yungblud in a small venue then definitely jump on it; you’ll make him smile.
Idols is available to stream in the usual places, but you can also purchase physical copies on vinyl or CD at Viniloinilo.co.uk
Tickets for Yungblud’s Idol World Tour are now on sale
