Yungblud slams current festival market: “I can’t play a festival that’s £800 a ticket”
In a recent BBC interview, 27-year-old musician Yungblud expressed frustration with the current festival market.
Yungblud began by agreeing “100 per cent” that festivals have “got out of hand.” He continued: “This is just dumb. Just stupid. It does not represent real people. I cannot play a festival where it’s like £800 a ticket. How can you stand on stage, and that’s okay?”
This comment is not unexpected from the ‘Parents’ singer, who last year pulled off his own festival called ‘Bludfest’. In 2024, the festival played host to a colossal 11-act lineup in Milton Keynes for the day, including Lil Yachty, Soft Play and punk icons The Damned.
He explained that this came about due to his exasperation with the current market: “We wanted to come back and do 20 bands for £65, because that’s the way it should be. In this world, there is nothing you can’t achieve if you are doing it from a place of truth, and for the right reason.”
He expanded: “I was tired of what the festival market was. I was tired that a lot of festival promoters didn’t take me seriously. So I was like: I’ll start my own. Why not?”
Bludfest will be the only UK show Yungblud will play this year.. The festival returns for the second year on 21st June in Milton Keynes and will feature performances by Milton Keynes, Chase Atlantic, Brit-nominee Rachel Chinouriri, and rapper Denzel Curry.
Looking back at the 2024 iteration of the festival, Yungblud said: “This wasn’t just a show, we built a fucking world. I truly want to thank all who came this year. You make each other shine, you emit such a light – a light that I believe is the answer to all the bullshit is going on in the world “We did it and we’re gonna do it all over again. BLUDFEST year two is upon us, a little bit bigger and a little bit better… get ready!”
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.