BLUDFEST Year 3 officially went international this year, bringing a stellar lineup to Hradec Králové’s Park360 just 2 weeks after Rock for People. On Saturday, June 27, Czech, British, and global music acts took to 3 stages across the festival grounds: the Main Stage, Stage 2, and the Gibson Stage.
When the gates opened at noon, fans flooded in, heading straight for the merch tent to grab souvenirs. Also occurring during a record-breaking heat wave with temperatures in the high 90s, BLUDFEST set up plenty of water and mist stations alongside shaded areas and activities inside the grounds’ hangars. People flocked to the shade as much as possible between sets, trying to conserve their energy for their favorite bands’ sets.
Despite the heat, BLUDFEST Year 3 was truly the perfect festival. From the musical lineup to the experiences YUNGBLUD had curated for fans, it made for a day festivalgoers will never forget. YUNGBLUD prioritizes forging a community through his music, and that was evident in everything and everyone that was present at Park360 on Saturday.
The Music
Up-and-coming Czech singer Pam Rabbit kicked off the day at 12:55 on the Main Stage, welcoming local fans in their own language. Her set was complete with background dancers, graphics, and of course, her powerhouse vocals. She clearly was having the time of her life, performing with a huge smile on her face despite the heat.
British singer Nieve Ella was next on the Main Stage, bringing a more dramatic vibe. Dressed all in black with her long, dark hair and bright blue eye shadow, she opened with “Drive” before modifying her outfit due to the heat. She moved with emotion, as did her bandmates, creating space for fans to dance along and feel every lyric along with her.
During the heat of the day, the fan at the front of the stage was a main fixture of the performances on the Main Stage, with the artists turning to it for either respite from the heat or dramatic, hair-blowing effects (or both) throughout their sets.
Stage 2 and the Gibson Stage were both covered, offering fans and artists some protection from the sun even if it got a little stuffy under those tents at times. The lineup was perfectly spaced out so that Stage 2 and the Main Stage rarely overlapped, while up-and-coming acts performed on the smaller Gibson Stage, which was decorated with Gibson guitar decor.
Jesse Jo Stark, Pale Waves, and Leap were highlights of Stage 2, with Pale Waves especially putting on an incredible show that included a cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie.” Seb Torgus and Precious Pepala lit up the Gibson Stage in the afternoon, while Destroy Lonely kept hip-hop fans happy on the Main Stage.
As the heat of the day finally broke around 6pm, renowned art rock band Palaye Royale kicked off the evening festivities, attracting a huge crowd to the Main Stage. Lead singer Remington Leith bounded across the stage at every opportunity, while guitarist Sebastian Danzig approached the barricade, leaning back into fans as he played. As their set went on, Leith sprayed the front of the crowd with water guns, a signature move that was more welcome than ever in the extreme heat.
Czech band RUWORR!ED closed things out on the Gibson Stage for the day, with fans packed into the stage’s benches, before Scottish icons Biffy Clyro lit up the grounds for their anthemic brand of rock. Primal Scream then closed things out on Stage 2 shortly before YUNGBLUD’s headlining set.
Virtually the entire festival packed into the crowd at the Main Stage in anticipation of the rock legend’s show, including members of the other bands that had played throughout the day. YUNGBLUD finally burst onto the stage in sunglasses and a black leather jacket and pants, immediately getting fans riled up with “Hello Heaven, Hello” and a burst of confetti.
Before the first song was even over, he’d removed his jacket and fans were going even crazier. His energy on stage was unmatched, with his expressions saying it all. The first part of his set moved so fast it was almost a blur, with the heat, his energy, and fans’ emotion blending together to form an atmosphere like no other.
His vocals were immaculate for “My Only Angel,” a collaboration with the legendary Aerosmith, before he pulled up a young boy named Alex to play “fleabag” on the guitar as he sang. At the end of Alex’s stint on stage, YUNGBLUD hoisted him onto his shoulders. “You got anything to say, Alex?”, he asked in his charming Northern accent before lifting the mic to Alex, who simply replied, “I don’t speak English.” It was a cute and funny moment as YUNGBLUD told him he could say it in Czech, and the boy simply repeated “I don’t speak English.”
“Lowlife” kept the energy going before things got emotional, with YUNGBLUD paying tribute to his late friend Ozzy Osbourne with a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” He kept the emotion going with a moving speech about how he’s been struggling lately, but told fans that “every time I find your faces, every time I find your eyes, I feel like I belong somewhere” as he wiped tears from his eyes. This is exactly what the community he’s building is about: sharing emotion, lifting each other up, and finding hope during times of darkness.
The rest of his set was a party, and he returned to the stage for an epic 3-song encore consisting of “Ghosts,” “Zombie,” and “Suburban Requiem.” Fans left the stage in a daze, smiles stuck on their faces and some with unfallen tears glittering in their eyes.
Whether they were set to continue the night with the Madface Afterparty, headed back to their tents, or going home, one thing was sure: YUNGBLUD, a true rock star in every sense of the word, curated the perfect day from start to finish, and he was certainly the highlight of it all.
The Experience
BLUDFEST wasn’t just about the music. It was clear through the activities that YUNGBLUD had curated for fans that he also wanted to emphasize community and positivity, and his vision was an absolute success.
Near Stage 2, a tent was set up for YUNGBLUD HQ where members of the club could enjoy a special bar, access to trinkets, and even secret performances on a tiny stage. While this was closed for part of the day due to the heat, the line to get in never shortened.
Next door was a pop-up B.R.A.T. (Beautifully Romanticised Accidentally Traumatised) store that was church-themed, complete with an organ and a “confession booth.” Inside, you could find signature B.R.A.T. items along with an exclusive BLUDFEST bomber jacket with both the Czech and British flags embroidered on it.
What had been the Budvar beer hangar at Rock for People became the YUNGBLUD Exhibition as well as the Make A Friend tent. The YUNGBLUD Exhibition included artifacts and photos from the IDOLS era, from Florence Pugh’s wings from the “Zombie” music video to leather pants that YUNGBLUD has worn on stage during iconic performances.
What both we and YUNGBLUD think sets this festival apart, though, is the Make A Friend tent. In a video posted to Instagram before the event, the musician acknowledged that some people are anxious about going to concerts alone and struggle to make friends, so he created this space specifically for them to go and meet like-minded people. The Make A Friend tent included a photo wall with a professional photographer, different stations to craft bracelets and other items, and more. The hangar was filled with people all day, whether they were getting to know someone new while chilling on beanbag chairs or talking to someone while making custom jewelry.
Just outside, you could find several clothing shops as well as a Greenpeace tent alongside a small War Child exhibition. BLUDFEST Year 3 supported the UK-based War Child charity, which provides aid for children affected by war.
The grounds also featured a skate ramp, a BLUDFEST Train with a tarot reader, a Playstation Zone, and a Chill Out Zone where fans could go to escape the heat. Several photo points were also set up across the festival.
The Food & Bev
And, of course, fans have got to eat! The Festival Shop offered festivalgoers homemade pastries and premade sandwiches as well as cold drinks, while Coca-Cola tents were set up across the premises. A single coffee tent also kept fans caffeinated for the long day to come.
Those looking to indulge in alcohol could choose from Strongbow Cider, Jack Daniels whiskey, Finlandia Vodka. The highlight of the drinks, however, was YUNGBLUD’s own Bludbeer.
For BLUDFEST Year 3, YUNGBLUD collaborated with the Czech CLOCK brewery to make a Blueberry Berliner Weisse. Bludbeer had a hangar all to itself, and the line stretched back behind the main stage all day long as fans clamored for a chance to try it (and grab one of the nifty Bludbeer cups).
Food-wise, fans could enjoy a variety of meals ranging from Indian street food and Mongolian mixes to dumplings, baguettes, and vegan poke bowls. While there weren’t as many vegan and vegetarian options as we’d have liked (and many sold out early in the day), the variety was good and the lines were never long. Ice cream and slushies also served to keep us cool throughout the day.
Overall, BLUDFEST Year 3 was an absolute success. The festival had everything a fan could have wanted and more: great music, customized refreshments, and unique experiences set up to foster community, friendship, and hope. YUNGBLUD continues to set himself apart by genuinely prioritizing these values not only through his music, but through his actions. With BLUDFEST, he has truly created something great, and we can’t wait to see where he’ll take it for Year 4.
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