Yungblud becomes first British artist with three Grammy rock nominations after No 1 album

In November, Dominic Harrison, known as Yungblud, received three Grammy nominations, making him the first British artist to be nominated that many times in the awards’ rock categories. This capped a year in which his fourth studio album, Idols, entered the UK charts at No 1 in June, outselling its nearest competitor by 50%.

His festival Bludfest drew 30,000 to The National Bowl in Milton Keynes, and in July he performed Black Sabbath’s 1972 ballad Changes at the Back to the Beginning farewell show, a rendition that won over a largely older crowd. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan said he was not surprised and praised Harrison’s voice, and Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler also expressed admiration; an Aerosmith–Yungblud EP, One More Time, topped the UK charts and became Harrison’s first US Top 10 hit.

Harrison has acknowledged a non‑traditional rise: his work has often attracted mixed reviews, he has not had a solo hit single and he built a grassroots following online and through fan engagement after leaving Doncaster for London. He said he started Bludfest because established festivals would not book him and noted the cheaper ticket price as part of his appeal.

Key Topics

Culture, Yungblud, Idols, Bludfest, Grammy Awards, Black Sabbath