Yungblud Vows to Perform at Pukkelpop Despite Leg Injury
British singer Yungblud has assured fans he will still headline Pukkelpop festival in Belgium despite being seen on crutches with his leg heavily bandaged just days before his scheduled performance. The 29-year-old artist, real name Dominic Harrison, shared a photo on Instagram showing his left leg wrapped in bandages from top to bottom, accompanied by Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” playing in the background.
“Leg is gone, but I’m still performing,” he wrote, reassuring fans that his shows in both Portugal and Belgium would go ahead as planned. “I’m still standing (or roughly so). Portugal and Belgium: I’m coming and it will be insane.”
The Injury
According to VRT NWS, Yungblud shared the concerning image five days before his headlining slot at Pukkelpop, where he is scheduled to close the Main Stage on Friday, 21 August, from 23:45 to 01:00. Whether his leg is broken remains unclear, but the photo clearly shows crutches beside him.
While Yungblud has not disclosed the cause of the injury, AD reports that multiple sources suggest he injured his leg during a ride on his cross motorcycle. The singer has not confirmed this detail.
Two Festivals, Two Tests
The injury comes at a critical time in Yungblud’s festival season. Before Pukkelpop, he is scheduled to headline CA Vilar de Mouros, Portugal’s oldest festival, on Tuesday, 18 August. That performance will serve as an early test of his ability to perform with the injury, as Arte Sonora reports.
The artist, known for his notoriously high-energy performances featuring flamethrowers, confetti cannons, and constant crowd interaction, faces the challenge of adapting his intense stage show to his physical limitations. As VRT NWS noted, “How he will handle that on crutches at Pukkelpop remains to be seen.”
A History of Performing Through Pain
This is not the first time Yungblud has taken the stage while injured. In 2018, he broke his ankle during a concert in Houston while performing “California” — and performed the next day in a wheelchair with a bright pink cast. According to RTL Boulevard, he reportedly jumped out of the wheelchair mid-show to finish the performance limping.
His determination to perform despite setbacks is well documented. VRT NWS previously reported on his remarkable rise through Belgian festival ranks — from his debut at Rock Werchter in 2019 to headlining the festival in July 2025 as a last-minute replacement for Sam Fender and Kings of Leon. That performance cemented his status as a festival favorite in Belgium.
A Difficult Year
The injury adds another challenge to what has already been a demanding period for the Doncaster-born musician. In November 2025, he was forced to cancel the final shows of his tour due to inflamed tonsils, with doctors ordering him to rest until the end of the year. He later revealed plans to have his tonsils removed.
More recently, in June 2026, Yungblud opened up about experiencing a mental breakdown after performing at Bludfest Czechia, a festival he founded himself. “My career has gone so fast that I haven’t been able to process anything yet,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “I feel like I need to work on myself to find the strength to continue at this pace.”
What’s Next
Yungblud’s performance at Vilar de Mouros on Tuesday will be the first real test of his ability to deliver his signature high-energy show while recovering. If all goes well, he will close out Pukkelpop’s Main Stage on Friday night in Kiewit, Belgium.
“Until then. Let’s ride,” he signed off in his Instagram post — a promise that fans on both sides of Europe will be watching closely.
According to the Pukkelpop official website, Yungblud remains confirmed for his Friday night headlining slot. With his track record of performing through adversity, the show is expected to go on.