How Yungblud inspired queer fans to be their authentic selves: ‘I finally feel like I belong’
Yungblud fans have opened up about how he makes them feel seen. (Geffen Records/PinkNews)
“Yungblud makes me feel like I can take on the world,” non-binary fan Wolfie says.
Wolfie is far from alone. Ever since Dominic Richard Harrison burst onto the scene with his debut album 21st Century Liability as Yungblud in 2018, has become a symbol for those who feel cast aside by society.
Queer people have flocked to his punk-inspired music – many see themselves in Yungblud. He’s been open about his own pansexuality, which has helped his fans be just open about themselves.
As Yungblud releases his hotly-anticipated self-titled third album, PinkNews speaks to hardcore queer fans to find out how he’s inspired them to be their true, authentic selves.
Yungblud makes Wolfie feel like they’re not alone
Wolfie feels “valid” because of Yungblud’s music. (Supplied)
Wolfie, 23, first fell in love with Yungblud’s music in 2019 when they were working with big cats in South Africa.
“It was time to clean out the enclosures and deposit what we took onto the compost pile,” Wolfie says.
“We have a competition going on how fast we can empty the trailer full of muck onto the pile. I’m knee deep in animal crap with my friend’s speaker playing music. “Medication” by Yungblud came on and the rest is history.”
Three years on, Wolfie is firmly embedded in the Yungblud fan community, which affectionally calls itself the Black Hearts Club.
“I’ve always been a dirty little emo kid, I can’t lie, so I’m drawn to musicians with loud guitars and screaming about feelings, but to be honest I love most genres so the fact that Dom can’t really be put into a genre I just love.
“It’s guitars, drums, funky bass lines, and vibes. There is no fitting in or cookie-cutter type predictability. It’s harnessed chaos, there’s nothing like it.”
Wolfie, who is non-binary and pansexual, says listening to Yungblud’s music has helped them feel less alone.
Yungblud performs on stage at Fabrique Club on November 2, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty)
Wolfie loves that Yungblud preaches to dress how you want, identify how you want, and love who you want.
“There is no place on the earth I’ve been to that’s more empowering than a Yungblud show. He gives me the push I need to get out of bed on the dark days, throw on the loudest outfit I can find, and have a dance around.
“I don’t care what people think about me anymore, I’m happy in myself.”
He’s ‘created a community’ for queer people, says Niamh
Yungblud fan Niamh says his concerts are a safe, inclusive environment. (Supplied)
Niamh, 33, first came across Yungblud’s music in 2020. Since then, she’s become firmly embedded in the Black Hearts Club, and she’s even had the chance to meet him a couple of times.
“The community he’s created for the LGBTQ+ community is incredible. No matter what gig or event you go to your sexuality or gender is never an issue and is always respected.
“We have a hard and fast rule in the Black Hearts Club that even if you hate someone you respect their pronouns and never deadname. I have seen people come out to their parents at his shows both in the queue and on stage – it’s just the best.”
In one of her proudest moments, Niamh threw her bra on stage at a Yungblud show – which he then wore.
She was able to introduce herself as the bra owner, and thrower, when she met hi at a book signing.
“He called me a legend for it.”
Discovering Yungblud’s music gave Ilona the confidence to be herself
Ilona, a Yungblud fan, says his music is part of the reason she’s thriving. (Supplied)
Ilona, 19, first discovered Yungblud’s music in 2020 during what she describes as “a very dark time” in her life.
“I felt like a mistake, and seeing someone like me being so unapologetic, and being loved for it, helped me so much,” Ilona says.
‘A community filled with love’
Like her idol, Ilona is pansexual. Getting into Yungblud’s music, and becoming part of the Black Hearts Club, has helped her become a more authentic version of herself.
“I’ve started dressing more like how I want, talking more openly about my own queerness, and interacting more with the queer community and his fandom,” she says.
“He gave me a community filled with love to rely on.”
Yungblud performs on the Daytime Stage at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival at AREA15 on September 18, 2021. (Mat Hayward/Getty)
If Ilona had the chance to come face to face with Yungblud, she would tell him that he saved her life – that she is “here today thanks to him”.
“I would tell him that he is loved, because he has shared with us the fact that he struggles with mental health sometimes too, and since he helped us so much, it is only fair that we want to help him just as much.
“He is strong, a good person, and the fandom, the Black Hearts Club, will always be there for him, like he is for us.”
He has shown Lilly that she can love whoever she wants
Lilly feels like she belongs thanks to Yungblud’s music. (Supplied)
Lilly, 23, started listening to Yungblud in 2020 – she was instantly drawn to his music because he “sings about things that actually matter”.
“He wants to help people, especially his LGBTQ+ fans. He writes his songs from the heart and he’s so genuine.”
Lilly is pansexual – and says Yungblud has helped her figure out who she is and embrace her own queerness.
I finally feel like I belong somewhere.
“He’s helped me find who I am. I’m finally dressing how I’ve always wanted and listening to the kind of music I love. He’s made me not care what others think and to love whoever I want.”
She says the online fan community is “like a big family”, and she describes feeling “so safe” when she went to see him live.
“Everyone was so genuinely nice and accepting. I finally feel like I belong somewhere.”
Lilly has met Yungblud before, but she hopes she’ll get the chance to come face to face with him again in the future so she can explain the impact his music has had on her.
“I would say thank you for existing and for helping me find myself, you and your music’s like free therapy. You’re the absolute best.”
