The Used Play the Hits at When We Were Young Festival 2025
October 18th in Las Vegas was a pop-punk and emo fan’s dream, and The Used delivered one of the day’s most electrifying performances at the When We Were Young Festival. With a short but absolutely explosive set, the band proved that their music still resonates decades later, bringing all the hits and enough nostalgia to make the crowd erupt from the very first note.
From the moment they hit the stage, the energy was palpable. Fans sang every lyric in unison, fists pumping, voices carried across the festival grounds, while the band’s commanding stage presence made it clear they were in full control of the moment. Lead vocalist Bert McCracken’s signature intensity and emotional delivery cut through with precision, while the rest of the band matched his energy with tight, driving instrumentation that had the crowd going absolutely nuts.
Though the set was on the shorter side, every song landed with impact. The Used expertly balanced their catalog of fan favorites with seamless performance dynamics, creating a rollercoaster of emotion and sound. From the cathartic highs to the reflective lows, the set captured the essence of what has made the band a staple of emo and post-hardcore for years. Even after all this time, The Used still sound fresh, passionate, and unrelenting, proving their music has stood the test of time.
The festival itself provided the perfect backdrop: an incredible day filled with outstanding performances, diverse artists, and a palpable sense of community among fans. The Used fit perfectly into that atmosphere, delivering a performance that was both a celebration of their legacy and a reminder of why the emo and pop-punk scenes continue to thrive.
Watching the crowd’s reaction was a spectacle in itself. Every chorus was met with mass singalongs, every guitar riff elicited cheers, and the audience fed off the band’s energy as much as the band fed off theirs. It was an experience that reminded everyone why The Used became such a pivotal force in the early 2000s music scene — a band capable of connecting deeply with fans through sheer emotional honesty and unfiltered rock energy.
By the end of their set, it was clear: The Used had given one of the day’s defining performances. Short, sweet, and unforgettable, they brought all the nostalgia, intensity, and pure rock energy fans could hope for, solidifying their place as one of the standout acts of an already incredible festival.




Review by: Austin Sher, Photos by: Sean Jorg/When We Were Young