If there could only be one word to describe Yungblud, it would be rockstar.
The English singer-songwriter released his fourth studio album “Idols” June 20, starting the tour off in North America in August and finishing the tour in October in Europe.
Since his first full album dropped in 2018, this would be his fourth headlining tour, and a particularly special one as he follows the advice of Ozzy Osbourne, late friend and idol, to conquer America. A video circled on social media sharing this special moment between the two before Black Sabbath’s farewell show titled “Back to the Beginning,” held at Villa Park in Birmingham early July.
During Yungblud’s performance, he sang a rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Changes,” which he vowed to sing at every performance of his for the rest of his career in honor of Osbourne, famously known as “The Prince of Darkness.”
So far he has stood by his word, playing it to the fans’ delight at every show on tour as well as in his VMA performance alongside Aerosmith Sept. 7.
Lead singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry of Aerosmith joined Yungblud in Ozzy’s dedication, singing “Changes,” as well as “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
A week later both artists announced an EP that will contain four new songs, dragging Aerosmith into the studio after nearly 13 years of silence.
The first song titled “My Only Angel,” was released Sept. 19 and debuted live by Yungblud at his Boston show. The other three tracks, “Problems,” “Wild Woman” and “Thousand Days,” are set to release Nov. 19 along with a 2025 remix of Aerosmith’s classic “Back in the Saddle.”
After abruptly cancelling his show in Philadelphia Sept. 18th due to illness, Yungblud rallied through his Boston performance with insane vocals, a stacked setlist and an insanely dedicated fan base to support the recovering singer going against his doctors orders. Opening with his album’s first track, “Hello Heaven, Hello,” he played half of “Idols” while featuring a handful of earlier songs from his discography like “Braindead” and “Loner.”
In an iconic tradition, a fan was pulled from the pit to play the chords to “Fleabag,” where Yungblud sang along long enough for her to become comfortable on stage before diving into the crowd.
He, of course, attributed his “Changes” cover to Osbourne, with an introductory chant of “Ozzy, Ozzy” over and over by the Roadrunner crowd. Though one other song snuck its way into the setlist, his newest release “My Only Angels,” which he sang solo without the help of Tyler Perry, unlike its studio recording.
Like most rock and roll shows, the crowd was loud with the famous pinky and pointer finger “sign of the horns” gesturing waving towards the stage the whole night. Voices were lost, tears were shed during ballads and the Brighton venue shook with energy.
Yungblud continuously encouraged pit attendees to get on each others’ shoulders, crowd surf, yell until their lungs gave out and embrace one another.
Around halfway through the set he had the crowd split to form a mosh pit in the center, making sure it was far enough back that no other concert goers were squished against the barricade.
The diverse crowd included people of all ages, and a vocal poll taking in the early parts of night revealed a mix of new and old Yungblud fans. One thing brought everyone together though, a love for rock and roll.
From dancing and jumping to belting and yelling, you would have never been able to tell the singer had been so sick to have had to cancel a show the night before, and with the help of Boston’s fans’ energy he rocked one hell of a night.
To end the concert, Yungblud sang “Zombies,” a single released to tease his June album. Lighters and camera flashes came out as band members removed themselves from their instruments to sit down and take in their singer’s voice for his final notes.
Guitar picks and drumsticks were thrown into the crowd and Yungblud promised to be back to Boston next summer, for what one can predict to be a bigger venue and a just as devoted crowd with his growing fame.
The singer is eight years into his career at 28 years old, and seems his story and claim to fame has only just begun.
