Fans attending the first ever edition of Bludfest have criticised organisers after experiencing long queues, overheating and illness.
Taking place at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes yesterday (August 11), the event marked the first-ever edition of Yungblud’s new festival and saw him perform the biggest show of his career to date.
It also saw appearances from the likes of Lil Yachty, Soft Play, Nessa Barrett, The Damned, Lola Young, Jazmin Bean, Noahfinnce, Jesse Jo Stark, Landon Barker (the son of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker), Hannah Grae, Aziya and more.
However, some visitors have criticised the organisers of the event, outlining how there were reportedly long queues at the site and people had to wait for several hours in hot weather to be admitted.
Speaking to the BBC about the issue, one concertgoer told the outlet that she passed out due to the heat and was unable to make it into the venue. Others told the publication that the extensive queuing led to them missing various performances.
“Many people fainted; threw up. People went home and kids were overheating,” said a visitor called Jessica Hedges, who said she joined the queue 15minutes before the gates opened at 1pm.
Yungblud performs on stage in 2024. CREDIT: Didier Messens/Getty Images
“We had been begging for water and were told we’d get it once we were in the venue… I eventually passed out and never made it into the venue,” she added, saying that staff were “rude and showed no empathy”.
“Four hours later, after sitting with paramedics for an hour, I am now home with heatstroke and didn’t get in to see a single act.”
Similarly, a visitor called Justin Dack told the outlet that he, his wife, son and two friends were made to wait nearly three and a half hours due to the “massive queues”.
“[There was] lots of heat… people were overheating,” he said. “I do go to lots of concerts but have never had this experience. We expect some delays, but not like this. We wanted to see Nessa Barrett but missed her act and some more acts due to this delay, which is disappointing.”
NME has reached out to Bludfest organisers for comment.
Others on X/Twitter have outlined similar issues with the Milton Keynes event too. “Been stood in the bludfest queue for an hour and a half in 28-degree heat, no water, I genuinely feel faint and we’ve still got so far to go. Already missed jazmin bean, I’m so sad,” one user wrote, while another added that they had spent “over two hours queuing”.
Been stood in the bludfest queue for an hour and a half in 28 degree heat, no water, I genuinely feel faint and we’ve still got so far to go. Already missed jazmin bean, I’m so sad.
— Mazi (@pixiepunx1) August 11, 2024
Over 2 hours queuing and I think we're nearly there 😴 https://t.co/FrC9U5WQPe#BLUDFEST #sunny #hot pic.twitter.com/zDdNzyytP4
— FoxReviewsRock (@FoxReviewsRock) August 11, 2024
“Sorry but bludfest and brat wasn’t what I expected. queueing is very difficult and you had an hour of wait for EVERYTHING (even the fucking water???). not even mentioning the lack of security at barricades near the guest area,” a third wrote.
Someone else added: “Left bludfest now and let me tell you, it was organised so badly, people missed who they came to see, no water outside of the venue causing people to faint. it was just ???”
Find more fan responses below.
sorry but bludfest and brat wasnt what i expected. queeing is very difficult and you had an hour of wait for EVERYTHING (even the fucking water???). not even mentioning the lack of security at barricades near the guest area (people from there literally got IN FRONT of the barrica
— Dominic Harrison is my drug (@celiarstacy) August 12, 2024
left bludfest now and let me tell you, it was organised so badly, people missed who they came to see, no water outside of the venue causing people to faint. it was just ???
— IZZY SAW NESSA ☆ (@lovebombizzy) August 11, 2024
@NationalBowl @yungblud we’ve been out here for hours, it’s hot!! There’s no water, we’ve missed loads of acts! What is going on!! #BLUDFEST
— KittyWales (@catfox02) August 11, 2024
Took my hair extensions out it was THAT hot at bludfest – was walking about with a bag of hair pic.twitter.com/wFQZ4OarLC
— char (@charkellyalex) August 12, 2024
i never even got in
— jess (@arisbabyd0ll) August 11, 2024
2 hours and counting here, can’t even see the front of the queue. No water or shade, searing heat, it’s shameful @NationalBowl #bludfest
— Joanna Bailey (@OhJoBails) August 11, 2024
It’s ridiculous – can’t believe there is no health and safety considerations for the thousands waiting. I am reading people fainting as well!! It’s crazy and so poorly organised
— xLaineyx (@laineyjackx) August 11, 2024
#bludfest let's give water to people who have been queuing for 20mins when people have been queuing for 3 hours
— Olli (@S_C_A_R__B_O_Y) August 11, 2024
Earlier this year, Yungblud spoke to NME about his big plans for Bludfest shortly after the festival was announced.
“Bludfest is happening! I’m launching my own festival. I had the idea to do it last November. I just had fucking insomnia one night and thought, ‘What’s the next thing we can do that is really a staple and just pushes the boundaries?’” he said.
“This whole thing has been about fucking with people. When the press don’t write about us, when labels don’t want us, when festivals don’t take us seriously, when people don’t take my generation seriously, let’s just poke the bear every time and piss everyone off to see if we can get away with it.”
He also emphasised how the event was centred around the idea of building “a community”, and explained how he intentionally wanted to keep ticket prices low to make it more accessible for fans.
During his set at the event, the singer caught fans off guard by bringing out Lil Yachty as a surprise guest and performing their joint track ‘When We Die (Can We Still Get High?)’. The song marked Harrison’s first single of 2024, and had been in the works with the rapper since 2019.
Since announcing Bludfest, Yungblud has defended the event from critics who have questioned the intent behind it as well as its “overall authenticity”. “Music belongs to the people,” he said. “That’s the way it should be.”
English (US) · 