Words by Amar Gera //

It’s all about unity man…

It’s a special time of year for Aussie festival goers, and with countless festivals kicking off in the next couple of weeks (except Lost Paradise, rest in peace) come countless sideshows. Fall Festival is again coming through with the goods, with alternative rock megastar YUNGBLUD (real name Dominic Harrison) gracing the lineup, as well as playing his own all-age shows at the Forum and the Enmore.

Setting the internet on fire with his Death Cab For Cutie ‘Like A Version’ with Halsey earlier this year, YUNGBLUD will be back to show off new EP the underrated youth. The Yorkshire native will be playing the new tracks for his Aussie fans, bringing the archaic energy that he’s become renowned for across the world.

Characterised by thought provoking lyrics, intense guitar hooks and breakbeats, YUNGBLUD is the embodiment of raw energy and talent, truly leaving his mark wherever he goes. Lead single of the EP ‘hope for the underrated youth’ is as transformative as previous singles ‘I Love You, Will You Marry Me’ and ‘Polygraph Eyes’, with heart wrenching lyrics that have managed to resonate with fans all across the world.

Striking a balance between being creatively daring and emotionally grounded, the young 22 year old is without a doubt an extremely rare talent, and we should count our lucky stars he’s spending his reigning in the new year with us. We caught up with the Doncaster superstar over the phone, check it below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAYBCJGk07s

How does it feel to be coming back to Australia for Falls Festival and your headline shows?

I can’t wait to get back to Australia are you fucking shitting me. I’ve wanted to come back ever since I left if I’m honest. Every time I leave you guys I’m like ‘fuck let me get back to the sunshine with good people and good lager’. I’ve missed Australia so much man I hope you all haven’t forgotten me.

Last time you were in Sydney you played the Factory Theatre, now you’re playing the Enmore, how does it feel to be playing larger venues every time you come back?

It’s crazy man. That’s like a big boy venue, Lily Allen played there last time we were here and I remember seeing her name outside and everything. It’s so crazy we’re doing that now. I’m so ready.

Are there any other acts on the Falls lineup you’re excited to see?

I’m excited to spend a bit of time with my boy Lewis Capaldi. We’re all gonna spend New Year’s Eve together and tear Australia a new one. It’s gonna be dangerous man. I just can’t wait to get back in front of an Aussie crowd, y’all are energetic as fuck.

And your mate Halsey is also playing Falls, can fans expect a collab on stage at all? Perhaps ‘11 minutes’ or the Death Cab For Cutie cover you guys did for Triple J back in February?

We’ll see man. I know she’s headlining so we’ll see. If we cross paths I’ll be like ‘shall we whack the Cutie out? Shall we whack the Cutie out and jam for the kids?’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM1shsSRqB8

That Like A Version has racked up over 5 million views on Youtube which is crazy to think about, what was that whole process like?

It was sick man, we love that song. We’re emo kids so that song was such an important record for me and her. It’s kind of mental to see how many views it has. I used to watch Like A Version all the time so it’s crazy to have done that.

Do you have a favourite ‘Like A Version’?

Arctic Monkeys when they covered Tame Impala’s ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’. It was so sick, when Alex Turner went from just talking straight into the song being like ‘I’m Alex Turner. I’m gonna blow your minds’.

Now talking about your upcoming side shows, is there a particular song off the underrated youth you’re most excited to play live?

I’m buzzing to play ‘braindead!’. It just goes mental. I haven’t seen mosh pits like that since I was in a crowd myself. Playing it in Europe and the US, the pit just goes nuts. I can’t wait to play it at the side gigs and Falls.

What was the process behind writing ‘the underrated youth’?

It’s called ‘the underrated youth’ because the common denominator is the people I’ve met all over the world this year. People in Holland, Salt Lake City, Utah, Atlanta, Paris, Perth. The one common denominator between them all is their striving for equality and unity, and the intelligence that’s embedded inside our heads. We’re gonna fill the shoes of the way the worlds gonna walk one day, and it’s gonna be a better place because we all just wanna be accepted and loved for who we genuinely are.

Both of your shows at the Enmore and the Forum are all ages, what was the thought process behind that?

I never want to segregate anyone. There’s too much segregation in this world. Everyone’s welcome at a YUNGBLUD show. Fat, thin, whatever you identify as, whatever you wear, no matter what age you are. You’re always welcome at a YUNGBLUD show. I can’t wait to see everyone.

Is that strive for equality and unity something you’re really trying to bring throughout your music and your career?

Yeah dude, I just want people to feel like they can be who they are. When I was younger, I felt like it wasn’t alright to be who I was and it made me so down and depressed, and made me question myself. I want to be happy to be who I am, and I never want anyone else to feel how I felt.

What does it feel like to be playing on stage and having crowds singing those words you’ve written back to you

It’s insane man. It’s got so much bigger than any of us ever expected but it just feels like we’re getting started so it’s a weird juxtaposition. I just feel happy all the time and I’m so fucking excited to keep getting to know everyone and to keep going and pushing, and to keep rock and rolling down under.

What’s the difference playing festivals and headline shows? Do you prefer one over the other?

Absolutely not man, I love them both. The energy from every single one gets me buzzing. But I’d say the main difference between the festivals and sideshows is that festivals explode and side shows implode. With festivals the energy can fly away into the sky but side shows have a ceiling so the energy is trapped, so it implodes, and it just can’t leave.

Just switching gears for a second, you’ve said that Australia is like a second home to you and Aussies really got you early, why do you think that is?

I just think you’re real. Aussies tell the truth man and that’s what all I want to do with my music. The worlds been fed so much bullshit over the past couple years, but you can’t bullshit an Aussie. That’s one thing I know. You can’t bullshit a fucking Aussie, they’ll call you out on your shit. I wanted to just tell the truth with my music, and I think you guys got it first because you know when something’s true. I’m surrounded by Australians. My manager is Australian and some people on my team are Australians. They’re always the first ones to call me out on my bullshit.

And you’ve toured all over the world, how do Aussie crowds compare to everyone else?

You’re fucking mental as I said. I just love that everyone’s up for it. Truth is a big part of it. There’s no bullshit and everyone’s ready to go. You’re a very honest crowd and that means a lot. There’s no bullshit, everyone just wants to have a good time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOWBsmgjmPo

What would you say to your Aussie fans coming to see you at Falls and your side shows? What should they expect to see live?

Just mad energy. If you’ve already been you know what to expect. Crazy energy, the unity is mental and we’re gonna have a laugh and get a bit cheeky as always. Get ready to jump and down for two hours as well ‘cause I’ll be going absolutely mental as well. And if you’re coming to my show at Falls, it’ll be the most energetic you get during the whole festival.

And your music has taken you all across the world, do you have a favourite place to visit?

I love Australia and playing here, I’m not just saying that. I really wanna move out here one day. I also love Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, but I love Australia as well. As I said, every time I leave Australia I always wanna come back right away.

Do you have a favourite place to visit in Australia?

I love Melbourne and how rock and roll it is, but I love the Gold Coast as well. One of my managers was from there. She also took me to Newy, which was so sick. It’s literally in the middle of nowhere. I love Byron as well. I also love Tassie, Tasmanians are absolutely mental.

Lastly, what would you say to the people out there that haven’t been to a YUNGBLUD show, or who have no idea who YUNGBLUD is?

A YUNGBLUD show is extremely energetic and its based around unity. As for who YUNGBLUD is, I just wanna unite as many people as I can, and I want you to feel emotional as fuck. If you don’t know who I am, my name is YUNGBLUD. It’s nice to fucking meet you. I’ll see you soon.