Boys Like Girls Light Up When We Were Young Festival With Nostalgic Perfection

Las Vegas was buzzing on October 18th as the When We Were Young Festival once again proved itself to be a paradise for pop-punk fans and emo revivalists. Among a stacked lineup of heavy-hitters, Boys Like Girls delivered one of the most memorable performances of the day — a short but sweet set that reignited teenage hearts and reminded everyone why their songs became anthems in the first place.

From the moment they took the stage, the crowd was electric. Thousands sang every word at the top of their lungs, fists pumping, tears welling, and smiles stretching ear to ear. There was an undeniable chemistry between the band and their audience — the kind of instant emotional connection that can only come from years of shared memories and melodies that defined an era.

Frontman Martin Johnson commanded the stage with effortless charisma, moving between soaring vocals and genuine gratitude. His voice, somehow untouched by time, carried every chorus with the same intensity that made Boys Like Girls a household name in the late 2000s. The band matched his energy beat for beat, delivering a tight, polished performance that never once felt phoned in. Instead, it was pure joy — a celebration of the music that shaped so many lives.

The setlist was packed with fan favorites, a nonstop rush of nostalgia that had the crowd jumping, crying, and laughing all at once. Each song hit like a memory — the soundtrack to summer nights, first heartbreaks, and car rides with friends who knew every lyric by heart. The audience sang so loud that at times, Johnson could barely be heard over the roar. It was a beautiful kind of chaos.

Though their set ran on the shorter side, Boys Like Girls made every second count. There was no filler, no fluff — just the hits, the heart, and the kind of energy that fills a festival field with pure euphoria. They might not be the newest act on the bill, but they proved they’re still one of the most beloved.

As the sun dipped behind the Las Vegas skyline and the next band took the stage, it was clear that Boys Like Girls had delivered one of the day’s defining moments. Their performance was proof that nostalgia doesn’t just live in the past — it thrives in the present, especially when the songs still sound this good. The festival itself was an incredible celebration of a scene that refuses to fade, and Boys Like Girls stood proudly at the center of it, reminding everyone exactly why we were all there in the first place.

Review by: Austin Sher, Photos by: Justin Agoncillo/When We Were Young