Whether you wore your brightest pair of pink socks, fishnets with chunky boots, or beaded bracelets with red-and-black-striped gloves, there was no mistaking that you were here to see the unparalleled talent that is alt-rocker YUNGBLUD. The UK artist is always dressed to impress in his punk rock attire, inspiring fans to adopt the aesthetic in support, especially at his shows. For the first night of YUNGBLUD’s North American leg of The World Tour, the warm Florida weather did not prevent fans from dressing up in some heat-inducing threads, screaming at the top of their lungs, or dancing and moshing as hard as they could at the outdoor venue of Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida. And with this being the only Florida stop on the tour, the crowd was more than ready to make it a night to remember.
Fans may have recognized rising alt-pop artist Sophie Powers from a few weeks prior when she opened up for Waterparks at the same venue for The Property Tour. Returning as if she was an old friend, Sophie took the stage with total confidence, performing and interacting with the crowd as she belted out hits like “Nosebleed, “U Love It, and “See Me!!” In between the stomps, struts, and intense stare downs, she would smile or wave to the fans, portraying the fierce yet playful character that is represented in her songs. After closing with the sleek and edgy “Greed,” Sophie shouted, “I’m Sophie Powers, I love you!!” and made a half-heart gesture with her hand to the crowd. The crowd held up the other half of the heart back to her, acknowledging their love and respect for her. As Sophie left the stage, fans could be heard telling their friends how awesome she is, while those who did not know about her before could not stop gushing over their newfound interest in her.
Shortly after Sophie’s set, LA-based punk rock act The Regrettes came to have their fun on stage. They created a chill atmosphere with their relaxed demeanor and moody lighting, but lead vocalist Lydia Night also encouraged fans to let loose and have a good time. She spun and bounced her way around the stage, dancing with her bandmates and bringing their songs to life as she sang new and old favorites like “Dancing on My Own,” “Barely on My Mind,” “Pumpkin,” and “Seashore.” Every time Lydia went out into the audience or made reference to them by pointing or telling them to get their hands up in the air, you could tell she was glad to be there, and the fans mirrored her enthusiasm. The Regrettes just did their thing, showing off what they can do with ease while also preparing the crowd for the main event.
It was quite an anxiety-inducing situation in between The Regrettes and YUNGBLUD. The crowd kept breaking out into spontaneous chants, rhythmically screaming “YUNG-BLUD” together in hungry anticipation of him. All the while, the crew was testing the strobes, the smoke machines, the spotlights, and the gear, giving the audience a dramatic preview of what was to come. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, the band walked out, and everyone lost their minds. YUNGBLUD then raced out onto the stage, raring to go. It was hard to keep up with him, as he jumped and ran, a true flash of lightning. While he moved so much, he also sang his heart out, but the crowd definitely was louder than him. They outdid him on songs like “My Funeral,” “Tissues,” and “Sex Not Violence,” and YUNGBLUD could not stop showing his affection and appreciation. He filled the night with love, bringing fans up on stage, making speeches about belonging and unity, and encouraging everyone to turn to those on either side of them and tell them that they are loved. Highlights included his coming over to the side of the venue near the concessions only to stand on a table and sing “fleabag,” acoustically performing “casual sabotage,” and helping a fan “come out” to their peers. During “Loner” and “Lowlife,” it occurred to me how amazing it is that YUNGBLUD is bringing people together with these kinds of songs, comforting those who feel the same way and giving them a safe space to talk about what they’re going through or how they’re feeling. Overall, it was a dynamic night, and anyone who identifies with YUNGBLUD will not be disappointed if they turn up to a show on this tour.
YUNGBLUD
SOPHIE POWERS
THE REGRETTES
Photos + Review by Christine Sloman | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!