Yungblud stands for rebellion and freedom. How the British musician speaks for a new, young rock generation with IDOLS and his tour
His hair falling chaotically over his face, his tattoos as black shadows on his shirtless upper body – that’s Yungblud’s striking profile on the concert posters that have been adorning Germany’s streets for weeks. The British rock artist is playing four sold-out concerts in Germany in October. But Yungblud seems to have long since gotten used to such crowds. After all, he has been at the center of a new rock’n’roll movement for years. The 28-year-old Brit from Doncaster is considered a key figure in a new generation of rock – but what makes him so popular with young people around the world? We check.
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Who is Yungblud?
Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Harrison, was born in Doncaster, England in 1997 and has established himself as an alternative rock musician. His debut album 21ST CENTURY LIABILITY was released in 2018. Since then he has released three more studio albums: WEIRD! (2020), YUNGBLUD (2022) and IDOLS (2025).
His songs, which range in sound between rock’n’roll, punk and indie, are often socially critical. They see themselves as social commentary – often as a plea for inclusion, respect and tolerance.
His song “Mars,” for example, tells the story of a girl whose parents do not accept her transition and deny her transgender identity. “King Charles” in turn condemns tyrannical power relations and the oppression of youth with no prospects. Yungblud’s music addresses mental health, identity and social change – and the search for a community in which understanding and love become possible as a collective project.
What does Yungblud stand for?
In interviews, Yungblud emphasizes that he sees himself not only as a musician, but above all as a link between people. His goal is to use art to create a community in which everyone feels seen, understood and loved – free from social constraints, as he told the “Allgemeine Zeitung”. Yungblud represents the youthful feeling of being misunderstood, included and excluded.
The artist is the epitome of the otherness of a tormented generation in the face of a globalized, crisis-ridden world that is perceived by Generation Z as having no prospects. In his works he embodies a youthful borderline experience that finds room for rebellion as well as bottomless melancholy. Accordingly, his music moves in the area of tension between excessive, uncompromising love of life and desperation that is tired of life. It’s about identity and community and a passionate backlash against isolation, convention, establishment, forced cool, conformity and cultural assimilation.
Freedom and identity
For his fans, Yungblud embodies a radical idea of freedom – especially in sexual and identity terms. According to his fans, his concerts are intended to create spaces in which you can be yourself. The fact that the artist speaks openly about his own sexual identity – pansexual and polyamorous – is central.
Yungblud doesn’t just stand for freedom to development, but also from constraints. He promises his concertgoers safety – from judgment as well as from (sexual) harassment. Many of his loyal fans are convinced that he has changed or even saved their lives – because they feel understood in his music and they are not alone in their experiences of hopelessness – and maybe everything will get better in the end. Don’t give up is Yungblud’s message, which is as simple as it is understood by his fans as powerful.
What does the old rock’n’roll generation think of Yungblud?
Since his beginnings at the age of 16, Yungblud has developed from a teenage rebel to an established rock star – something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the old masters of the genre. Mick Jagger once said that Yungblud was one of those artists who kept rock music alive. He appreciates its “post-punk vibe” and energy, which shows that rock’n’roll is still alive. Both were on stage together at a benefit concert this year and played “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”.
Yungblud recently received a lot of attention through his friendship with the late Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne. Before his death, Osbourne took him under his wing and called him a “young brother.” According to People, Osbourne said he saw himself in Yungblud – full of energy and madness – and encouraged him to forge his own path and not compromise.
Finally, on July 5, Yungblud appeared at Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s farewell concert in Birmingham and performed her song “Changes”. “That was a great performance, young brother. I sat out there and watched about 80,000 pretty mature (!) people, most of whom didn’t know what to expect, rise up in awe and recognition and come to life,” Brian May said of the performance.
Many veterans of rock see Yungblud as the future of the genre. After a joint performance at the VMAs in honor of Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith also announced a joint EP with him – their first new music in over 13 years.
Quo vadis, Yungblud?
Yungblud is currently touring Europe, having just completed his first major stadium tour of North America. Another North American tour is scheduled to follow in 2026 after he previously visits Australia. The record ONE MORE TIME will be released on November 21, 2025 – with five songs together with Aerosmith, on which the greats of the old and new generation of rock’n’roll are united.
Yungblud live 2025: Germany dates at a glance
- October 7th – Düsseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Hall
- October 14, 2025 – Munich, Zenith
- October 20th – Berlin, Uber Eats Music Hall
- October 27th – Hamburg, sports hall