Yungblud recently reflected on his performance at Black Sabbath’s farewell concert. He discussed how he won over skeptical metal fans in an interview with NME.
The artist shared details about his decision to perform “Changes.” He also addressed the audience’s initial skepticism about his presence at the metal event.
“I wanted to perform ‘Changes,'” Yungblud said. “Tom Morello put the whole thing together, and I said, ‘give me the ballad’. He wasn’t so sure, but I told him, ‘Trust me, I’ll bring the house down’.”
The performer acknowledged the challenging nature of the audience. He also discussed the eventual positive response he received.
“I knew it was going to be a tough audience for me because it was all metalheads and a lot of people did not think I had the right to be there,” he continued. “Brian May sent me a message after the gig that said ‘the silence from those people was deafening’. I think it’s finally clicking for a lot of non-believers.”
This performance took place during one of the most significant events in rock history. It marked a pivotal moment for both the artist and the metal community.
The show itself was a historic milestone in rock music. Combster reported that the “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5, 2025, was Ozzy Osbourne’s final live appearance with Black Sabbath. The event featured an all-star lineup of rock legends, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Pantera. The event drew massive attention from both live audiences and streaming viewers worldwide.
Yungblud’s performance was backed by an impressive lineup of musicians. Vinyl Me Please noted that his opening set featured a stripped-down, piano-led cover of “Changes” performed with a one-off supergroup. The supergroup included Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, and Sleep Token’s drummer. This collaboration resonated deeply with both the 40,000 attendees and over 5.8 million livestream viewers.
The critical reception of Yungblud’s performance was overwhelmingly positive. Louder Sound revealed that critics from Rolling Stone UK and The Guardian singled out the performance as a highlight of the evening. The performance sparked a full-stadium singalong and earned praise from fans online who called it one of the most memorable moments of the night. The performance successfully challenged genre boundaries and demonstrated music’s unifying power.
Beyond the musical achievement, the concert served a greater purpose. Entertainment Now confirmed that the massive charity effort raised £140 million for Parkinson’s and children’s causes. This added significant meaning to the farewell event and Yungblud’s contribution to this landmark moment in rock history.
