Yungblud Energizes The Anthem with a Sold-Out Stop in Washington D.C.
- Emma Zoe Polyak
- 3d
- 3 min read
“How crazy are you D.C.?” YUNGBLUD shouted to the sold-out crowd at The Anthem. Judging by the deafening screams that echoed through the venue, Washington D.C. was more than ready to show him.
I’ve heard plenty of discussions about whether rock and roll is dead, and who, if anyone, is keeping it alive but YUNGBLUD seems far more interested in pushing the genre forward than participating in the debate. Throughout the night, he transformed The Anthem into a celebration of chaos, community, and unapologetic self-expression.
When the lights dimmed and YUNGBLUD’s intro music started playing – “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath – the crowd around me lost it. There were people screaming, getting on each other’s shoulders, and some enthusiastic barks could even be heard from the crowd. The massive screen behind the stage lit up with the word “Hello” written in dozens of different languages (too many for me to list, though I was pleased to spot the Māori greeting “Kia Ora” among them). As the opening chords of “Hello Heaven, Hello” rang out, a spotlight suddenly appeared in the balcony. To everyone’s delight, it revealed YUNGBLUD leaning over the railing with a grin stretched across his face. It was unexpected, cheeky, and a perfect indication that the night was only getting started.
Much of the set was made up from Idols, including “Lovesick Lullaby,” “War,” “Ghosts,” and “Zombie.” YUNGBLUD also sang a cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Changes,” which he has vowed to perform at every show in honor of the late legend. It was an emotional moment in the night, slowing things down amidst an energetic set.
The show was also packed with pyrotechnics, strobes, and bursts of confetti, but the elaborate production often felt secondary to YUNGBLUD’s undeniable stage presence. Even without all the fanfare, his charisma and relentless energy were more than enough to command the room. Racing across the stage, jumping with impressive airtime, encouraging the audience to “go insane,” and constantly feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm, he proved that captivating an audience doesn’t require much more than raw passion and authenticity.
The crowd matched his energy every step of the way. Fans got up on each other’s shoulders during “Lowlife,” while others screamed every lyric back at the stage. By the end of the night, Washington D.C. had made a compelling case for being one of the loudest and most energized stops of the tour – according to YUNGBLUD himself!
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during “Fleabag,” when countless fans held up signs asking for the chance to join him on stage. After taking a moment to scan the crowd, YUNGBLUD invited a young fan to play guitar with him. She played with an impressive confidence for her age, and offered some inspiring words to the rest of us: “Always believe in yourself and don’t let anyone tear you down”
These sentiments echoed much of what Yungblud said to the crowd in between songs. He spoke about community and belonging, which is what many people find in his music, and what Washington D.C. found at his show.
By the end of the night, The Anthem was buzzing. Between YUNGBLUD’s explosive energy and the energy of the crowd, Washington D.C. got exactly what it came for: a night of loud, unapologetic British rock and roll.
Although this leg of his US tour is over, YUNGBLUD will be returning to the States in July. As for European fans, BLUDFEST 2026 will take place in Czechia at the end of June. Find more upcoming shows here.
The Anthem, Washington D.C. Setlist:
Hello Heaven, Hello
The Funeral
Idols Pt. I
Lovesick Lullaby
My Only Angel
Fleabag
Lowlife
Changes (cover)
War
Fire
Loner
Encore
Ghosts
Zombie
