The Used 25 Year Anniversary Tour Kicks Off at House of Blues Anaheim

The Used kicked off the second U.S. leg of their 25 Year Anniversary Tour with a three-night run at the House of Blues in Anaheim on October 11th, 12th, and 14th. Each night celebrated one of the band’s first three albums — The Used, In Love and Death, and Lies for the Liars — with full playthroughs that captured the band’s evolution and enduring impact. These shows took place just under a week before the band was set to light up both days of the When We Were Young Festival, proving that their energy is as unrelenting as ever. Having photographed The Used five times this year (and seen them six), I can confidently say their live show is completely unmissable. To put it simply, I love The Used, and I’ll always jump at the chance to catch them.

Night One: The Used

I actually covered this same night in Los Angeles back in May, so I knew what to expect to an extent, and was elated to be covering it again. Self-titled is my personal favorite, and a major staple in the band’s history — the album that solidified their place in the scene. This night was sold out and the venue was packed front to back, wall to wall. Getting around was no easy task, but for the best reason possible: all of these Used fans who’ve been here since the beginning getting the opportunity to enjoy a band who’s been so consistent in both their time and material.

The night began with a large screen projected onto the stage, displaying nostalgic footage from past shows, interviews, behind-the-scenes moments, and Warped Tour clips. It transitioned into shots of the CD case opening, flipping through the lyric booklet and artwork, before the build-up of the opening song began. Light poured from behind the screen, revealing the silhouettes of the band before the screen dropped and they crashed straight into “Maybe Memories.” It was the perfect spark to ignite the crowd for the rest of the night.

The setlist is, of course, self-explanatory, but the performance was anything but ordinary. One thing I love about Bert McCracken’s stage banter is how he explains songs in the most literal sense possible rather than their metaphorical meaning. Before “Bulimic,” he said, “This song is about throwing up my food.” It adds an element of humor that keeps the energy light even in moments of emotional weight. The entire playthrough was extraordinary — they nailed every note and every lyric with so much energy and genuine joy. The sheer happiness radiating from the band was impossible not to match; I caught myself smiling ear to ear alongside everyone around me. The backdrop for the night was the haunting mannequin-faced artwork of the album, a striking visual reminder of where it all began.

Night Two: In Love and Death

It’s safe to say that In Love and Death is the fan-favorite, and once again, the venue was sold out. The crowd, though featuring many familiar faces from the night before, carried a slightly different energy — more sentimental, but just as intense. I’d caught this album playthrough in LA earlier this year purely as a fan, so getting to cover it this time around had me eager to experience it from behind the lens. In Love and Death includes some of The Used’s most vulnerable songwriting, and hearing it live in full makes every lyric hit with even more weight.

The night began with the iconic screen setup featuring footage of the time, and the backdrop for the stage featured the infamous heart-in-a-noose from the In Love and Death album cover, immediately setting the tone for a deeply emotional and nostalgic experience.

At one point between songs, Bert asked if everyone was having a good time, which was met with a roar of cheers. He grinned and joked, “I’m having a good time. And that’s all that matters — is that I’m having a good time.” The crowd burst into laughter. But true to form, he shifted between humor and genuine emotion with ease. Before playing “Listening,” he said, “This song is called Free Palestine.” Later, before “Sound Effects and Overdramatics,” he cracked, “This song is about how I want to have sexual intercourse with every single one of you,” and we all about died laughing.

Bert’s crowd interaction is one of the defining aspects of a Used show — spontaneous, funny, and deeply human. At one point, he looked to the left side of the pit and said, “This guy’s showing me his titsssss. I love a good man tit.” The laughter and chaos were endless, but when the time came to pull the mood into something deeper, he did so effortlessly. Before “Hard to Say,” Bert said, “This next song saved my life and continues to save my life over and over. Hands down the most emo song on the planet.” Cellphone lights filled the venue, casting a white glow over the crowd in one of the most emotional and beautiful moments of the night.

Night Three: Lies for the Liars

I went into this night with no expectations, since I wasn’t able to attend it during the first leg of the tour. This time, though, I was excited for an entirely new reason. The crowd and overall vibe ended up being my favorite of the three — more intimate, yet more unhinged in the best way possible. While there were plenty of repeat fans, Bert summed it up perfectly when he said, “I think it’s the fans who come out for Lies for the Liars that are the true dedicated diehard fans.” He couldn’t have been more right. The energy was infectious; the crowd was rowdier than ever, moving nonstop and headbanging so hard that the barricade shook.

Though this album wasn’t one I had previously experienced as deeply as the first two that soundtracked my adolescence, it hit hard. The band was completely locked in, giving everything they had. Before starting “Paralyzed,” Bert hand-selected several fans from the crowd to come up on stage and dance, saying, “Best dancer gets a free t-shirt from the merch table.” The moment added an extra layer of fun and connection to an already wild night. When the song ended, Bert laughed and said, “Make some noise for the beautiful dancers — now get the fuck off my stage.”

Later, he shouted, “Holy shit Anaheim, you guys fucking rock! How many of you guys are having drinks tonight?” The crowd roared. He smiled and followed up with, “Happy to say that I haven’t had a drink in 13 years.” It was a small moment, but one that said everything about his growth and resilience. The band closed with “Smother Me,” and before starting, Bert told the crowd, “One more song for you — we’re gonna get through it together. Don’t judge me if I cry one more time. Make some noise for yourselves.”

As I said earlier, I will never miss an opportunity to experience The Used. These nights were some of my favorites ever. This band makes you feel at ease while simultaneously revving up your adrenaline for the best time imaginable. I catch myself smiling and laughing more at their shows than I do at any others. It’s truly an entirely enjoyable experience, and I’m so thankful to have had so many opportunities this year. Not to mention, these nights only made me more excited to cover them one last time for the year at When We Were Young. They truly are “the best band in the world.”

Side note — their merch quality is excellent, so definitely hit the table and spend way more than you responsibly should, just like I did.

We’d like to thank The Used for having us out all three nights for these incredible playthroughs. This was only the beginning, and you can still catch them across the U.S. on the remaining tour dates:

October 22, 2025: Dallas, TX – House of Blues (Self-Titled)
October 23, 2025: Dallas, TX – House of Blues (In Love and Death)
October 25, 2025: Dallas, TX – House of Blues (Lies for the Liars)
October 26, 2025: Austin, TX – Emo’s (Self-Titled)
October 28, 2025: Austin, TX – Emo’s (In Love and Death)
October 29, 2025: Austin, TX – Emo’s (Lies for the Liars)
November 1, 2025: Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre (Self-Titled)
November 2, 2025: Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre (In Love and Death)
November 4, 2025: Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre (Lies for the Liars)
November 5, 2025: Milwaukee, WI – The Rave (Self-Titled)
November 7, 2025: Milwaukee, WI – The Rave (In Love and Death)
November 8, 2025: Milwaukee, WI – The Rave (Lies for the Liars)
November 10, 2025: Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts (Self-Titled)
November 11, 2025: Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts (In Love and Death)
November 13, 2025: Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts (Lies for the Liars)