Surveying the sea of people at his first arena show, Yungblud considers what he’s lost. Pushing sweat-soaked hair from his face, the 25-year-old singer – real name Dominic Harrison – laments being further from his fans than he’s ever been. “I am Yungblud, you are Yungblud,” he says, jumping down to the outstretched arms at the barrier.
His sorrow rings true – as the head of a self-styled band of outcasts called the Black Hearts Club, he has attempted to build a fan community based on respect and acceptance. But it could also embolden detractors who view his musical style (Busted-style pop-punk meets emo-rap) and persona as cynical fakery aimed at commercial success.
