BLUDFEST 2025 // THE NATIONAL BOWL, MILTON KEYNES
YUNGBLUD’S BLUDFEST RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR AT MILTON KEYNES NATIONAL BOWL
★★★★★ (5/5)
YUNGBLUD HEADLINING BLUDFEST 2025 AT MILTON KEYNE’S NATIONAL BOWL
PHOTOCREDIT: ALANNA GEORGETTE
If Bludfest Year 1 was a glorious mess—small-scale, chaotic in a charming way—then Year 2 was the moment it fully levelled up. Without losing its identity, it somehow went bigger in all directions: a stage twice the size, an access platform three times as big, and a crowd that felt both more diverse and more emotionally locked-in. This wasn’t just a local festival anymore.
The second you stepped through the gate, it hit differently. The site has expanded—not just in space, but in energy. There were pubs, a skate halfpipe blasting music while teenagers launched themselves into the air, and a queue for Spud man that looked like a pilgrimage. The sun was out (mostly), the eyeliner was on, and the vibe was loud, slightly feral, and full of heart.
Masterpiece opened like he was born for it. His set was cool, stylish, and low-key cinematic. The field started to fill as people tuned into what was happening: slow-building vocals, clean production, pure control. One of those artists you stop and listen to properly, even if you only meant to pass by on the way to the loos.
Then came Luvcat, and the vibe flipped. It was synth-pop, heartbreak, glitter bombs, and a proper online-generation pop show. She came out swinging with full drama and humor—dancing like a music video and screaming like your group chat after a breakup. People were singing back lyrics word-for-word, which caused a full emotional meltdown in the crowd. Camp, chaotic, cathartic—Luvcat was born for festivals.
Nieve Ella followed, and her set felt like a deep breath. Proper indie sad-girl stuff, but with this loud energy behind it. Her voice has that slightly raspy edge that makes everything sound urgent and nostalgic at once.
Rachel Chinouriri was emotional gut-punching. She’s the kind of artist who walks on stage and instantly shifts the temperature in the field. He was magnetic—vulnerable without being soft; strong without overperforming it. Her hits hit so hard live it was like the whole crowd got slapped in the heart at once. She’s got that power—unshakeable and gentle, like she’s telling your story on stage.
Then Denzel Curry came on and blew the roof off the whole thing. His set was pure fire. No breaks, no filler, just absolute chaos. From the first drop, the mosh pits exploded. You could feel the bass in your chest. He made the ground shake nearly causing a riot, and it was glorious. People were climbing on each other’s shoulders, shirts flying, stewards high-fiving fans—a properly controlled apocalypse. That’s what Denzel does best.
YUNGBLUD HEADLINING BLUDFEST 2025 AT MILTON KEYNE’S NATIONAL BOWL
PHOTOCREDIT: ALANNA GEORGETTE
By the time Yungblud hit the stage, the crowd was sweaty, sunburnt, a little unhinged—and so was he. If there’s one artist who matches Bludfest’s chaotic soul, it’s Dom. He ran across the stage like it owed him money, jumped into the crowd twice, screamed about how much he loves this generation, and did about four impromptu speeches about “being weird and proud.” Classic.
Then he brought out Billy Idol.
Yes. Billy. Idol.
People actually screamed like it was a jump scare. There he was, bleach-blond and iconic, just casually strolling onstage to duet with Yungblud on “Rebel Yell.” The field lost its mind. Kids who didn’t even know who he was climbed over the barriers just to get closer. It was surreal, chaotic, brilliant—and it somehow worked.
There’s something about Bludfest that still feels intimate, even as it grows. The bigger stage gave every act the space they deserved, but the crowd stayed grounded sharing sun cream, rolling cigarettes, starting chants, and helping each other up in the pit. The access platform expansion meant more people could actually see and be part of it all. It’s still got that scruffy, homemade feeling, but the infrastructure this year actually matched my ambition.
The halfpipe kept going all day, and every time someone landed a trick, the crowd cheered like it was a headliner. You could grab a pint from the pub, sit on an old crate, and chat with strangers about the last act or how badly you need chips. It’s that kind of place—where strangers feel like friends, and the chaos feels safe.
Bludfest Year 2 was the kind of day that sticks to me. Not because everything was perfect—but because everything meant something. Every artist gave it their all. Every part of the festival was bigger, but not fake. It’s still full of soul—loud, warm, weird, honest.
YUNGBLUD HEADLINING BLUDFEST 2025 AT MILTON KEYNE’S NATIONAL BOWL WITH SPECIAL GUEST… BILLY IDOL
PHOTOCREDIT: ALANNA GEORGETTE