Of course a singer as dramatic as YUNGBLUD, full of raw energy and flair, would choose a 42° day to make his return to Australia after a whopping 3 years.
This heat didn’t deter any of his superfans though, people queuing up from as early as 3pm the day before the show, with at least 40 people lined up by midnight. Absolute dedication. More fans queued throughout the burning heat that day. I myself delayed my arrival in favour of sitting in my car until it was time to head in. Upon approaching the venue, the aircon leaked out from the front gates, and all I could think was “Thank you Qudos”.
The energy was electric as people trickled into the venue, the pit slowly filling, just a sea of people waiting to see this rising rock star.
“Have you heard their new stuff?” the PA asked just before the opener’s set. Yes, I have, and it is excellent. As promised, Dune Rats certainly got the stage warmed up (if it wasn’t already, thanks again heat wave). The crowd was jumping and it was all around just an epic, sweaty time. Leaving the stage with a dramatic guitar throw (that thing went meters into the air, I swear), it was time for the countdown to the Idol himself to begin.
As we waited with extreme anticipation, Black Sabbath rang out over the arena, and just like that, we knew it was time.
To say that YUNGBLUD was anything other than absolute mayhem and electricity would simply be a lie. From the very moment he took to the stage, Dominic Harrison absolutely dominated.
From confetti to pyrotechnics, there was never a dull moment. In true YUNGBLUD fashion, Harrison invited a crowd member on stage to play “Fleabag” and we were honestly blown away, as this fan from Wollongong performed the song on a guitar that was upside down. Talk about a high-pressure performance. During this incredible display, the crowd seemed to brace themselves for what was coming next, and it did not disappoint.
Dom dove headfirst into a sea of adoring fans, only after standing tall with them, chanting the lyrics to a fan favourite.
But the moment that really stole the show was when Harrison paid tribute to his “friend in the sky”, the late great Ozzy Osbourne.
His cover of “Changes” has already received critical acclaim, earning him one of his first Grammy nominations for Best Rock Performance. It was an emotional moment for the crowd and for the singer himself, but no one in the building let him sing alone.
YUNGBLUD has been performing in Australia since he was 15, the singer saying that we were “the first country to believe in us”. It truly felt like such a special moment to share. Even in an arena of 20,000 people, it felt like he was talking to each of us personally.
Closing out the show with the lead single from the Idols record, “Zombie” was another emotional performance, but also one filled with energy from fans who screamed the lyrics back at him. With just a touch more confetti and a promise to meet fans outside by the merch stand, the rock show that stunned us all was over. YUNGBLUD is truly an incredible performer, and we can only hope it’s not another 3 years before we get to see this icon in his element again.
Photography: Jordan Munns
Words: Charlotte Najjar
