From Chaos to Connection: YUNGBLUD Shakes Salt Lake City on the Idols World Tour
Article written by and photos by Alec Moody
On August 26th, 2025, YUNGBLUD brought his explosive Idols Tour to The Union in Salt Lake City, UT, marking the third stop of the run. Before the headliner took the stage, rising artist Sawyer Hill opened the night with a set that perfectly warmed up the crowd. Hill, who first got his start as a 15-year-old playing DIY venues and bar shows in Fayetteville, AR, has since built a devoted fanbase through TikTok, and it showed. He kicked off his performance with his track “Firestarters” before quickly transitioning into “For The Hell Of It.” The highlight of his set came when he surprised the audience with a cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” His raspy, low vocal range gave the song an edge that immediately grabbed everyone’s attention and had the room buzzing.
Not long after Sawyer Hill wrapped up, the lights dimmed and the room filled with anticipation for YUNGBLUD. He stormed the stage with an energy so massive that my Apple Watch instantly gave me a decibel warning, reminding me just how loud the environment had become. Dressed in full leather—chaps, pants, vest, and dark sunglasses he looked every bit the rebellious rockstar his fans came to see. The set opened with “Hello Heaven, Hello,” a nine-minute whirlwind of crashing drums and fiery guitar. YUNGBLUD launched himself across the stage, bouncing high into the air as if gravity didn’t apply to him, feeding off the audience’s intensity with every movement.
After the explosive opening, the energy took a turn. As smoke rolled across the stage and the lights dimmed to a soft yellow glow, YUNGBLUD picked up an acoustic guitar and shifted into a more vulnerable, stripped-back song. The change in atmosphere was immediate, where moments before the crowd had been roaring and leaping, they now swayed quietly, or moved their arms back and forth at the direction of Dom. It was a raw and intimate interlude that showcased his ability to not only deliver chaos but also connection, serenading the room in a way that left the entire venue hushed and mesmerized.
From there, the night only escalated. He tore through fan-favorites like “Zombie” and “Idols Pt. I,” but the standout moment came when he invited a young woman from the audience to join him on stage for “Fleabag.” Dom greeted her on stage with a large embrace and then handed her a guitar. She nailed the intricate part with confidence, and the crowd erupted in cheers that nearly shook the walls of the venue. In classic YUNGBLUD fashion, he wasn’t afraid to push boundaries either, at one point playfully and tastefully pulling his leather pants down just enough to flash the top of his butt cheeks for a split second, quickly pulling them back up and diving right back into the music. It was the kind of chaotic, tongue-in-cheek moment that only YUNGBLUD could pull off.
By the time the show ended, the crowd was hoarse from screaming and drenched in sweat from jumping along to every song. Yet the night didn’t end when the lights came back on; fans who lingered outside The Union were treated to a surprise visit from Dom himself. He signed autographs, posed for photos, and spent time connecting with as many fans as possible, showing a level of gratitude and intimacy that matched the raw emotion of his set. If the Salt Lake City stop was any indication, the Idols World Tour is one you absolutely cannot miss. If YUNGBLUD is heading to a city near you, do not hesitate to get your tickets, because this is a show you’ll remember long after the final encore.
