Yungblud paid fresh tribute to Ozzy Osbourne during his show in Birmingham last night (Thursday April 23). Check out the footage below.
- READ MORE: Yungblud – ‘Idols’ and ‘Idols II’ review: a king-sized statement from the crown prince of rock
The Doncaster artist (real name Dominic Harrison) played at the Utilita Arena in the late Prince Of Darkness’ hometown, as part of his current UK and Ireland ‘Idols’ tour, which kicked off in Sheffield last week.
Harrison treated the crowd in Birmingham to a particularly poignant rendition of his cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’. In the intro, the video screen showed some fans holding up a sign that read: “Ozzy would be proud.” The audience also chanted Osbourne’s name.
Taking in the emotional moment, the artist took a second to “dedicate this next song to a dear friend of mine in the sky”, adding: “This next song goes out to Mr. fucking Ozzy Osbourne!”
He continued: “I’ve been shitting myself for days to play this in Birmingham tonight.” Pointing to the sky, Yungblud said: “Because you fucking changed my life, man! Birmingham, are you fucking ready to sing this?”
The musician later told those in attendance: “I fucking love Birmingham, and I promise I will come back here every year until I’m fucking dead.”
Yungblud performed at Black Sabbath’s final-ever show, held in Birmingham last summer, where he gifted Osbourne a custom-made gold cross. He subsequently officially released his cover of ‘Changes’, and “vow[ed] to play this song every night for the rest of my life”. Tom Morello, who served as the musical director of Sabbath’s last gig, revealed this year that Yungblud “wasn’t gonna be the singer of that song” – just 48-hours before he took to the stage at Villa Park.
Harrison paid tribute to the icon at the MTV VMAs 2025 last September. Speaking to NME in the summer, Yungblud said: “Ozzy was always my north star […] Ozzy was a character in my life who was a reflection of everything I went through.”
The pair had struck up a friendship after both Osbourne and his wife and manager, Sharon, made cameo appearances in Yungblud’s video for ‘Funeral’. Yungblud appeared on a 2024 episode of The Osbournes Podcast with Sharon and Kelly, too.
Earlier this year, there was speculation over whether Yungblud could portray the Prince Of Darkness in the long-mooted biopic about the star. Piers Morgan had put Harrison’s name forward during an interview with Sharon late last year. Looking taken aback, she responded: “I’m not saying a word.”
Then, in January, Ozzy’s son Jack revealed that “a phenomenal, phenomenal actor” would be taking on the role. “We have a director attached, and we’re doing a rewrite right now,” he said at the time.
Meanwhile, Yungblud’s current tour continues tonight (Friday April 24) at The O2 in London, ahead of a stop at Manchester’s AO Arena tomorrow (Saturday April 25). Find any remaining tickets here.
The third edition of his BludFest, meanwhile, will be heading to Czechia in June, after being held in Milton Keynes for its first two years. The line-up includes Biffy Clyro, Primal Scream, Pale Waves and more.
In a four-star review of both halves of the ‘Idols’ double, NME wrote: “It bookmarks the latest chapter in the story of Dominic Harrison with a fairytale ending, now living with the freedom of thought that once eluded him. Sonically, the double album might not redefine the future of rock, but – as the soundtrack to his most successful era yet – it has helped guarantee the future of Yungblud. He had to ‘go to hell and back‘ to get there, but ‘Idols’ and ‘Idols II’ confirm that Dominic Harrison has taken ‘one step into heaven’.”
