There are many monumental moments in a band's life worth celebrating: the release of their first album, their first major headlining tour, or the 10-year anniversary of being a band. The Used just hit another incredible milestone in their career, celebrating 25 years as a band. To give back to the fans who have supported them for so long, they embarked on a tour celebrating their first three albums: Self-Titled, In Love and Death, and Lies for the Liars.

This wasn’t just a setlist of their best songs from these albums. Instead, each city hosted The Used for three nights, with the band performing one album in its entirety each night. Each evening also featured a different opening band, showcasing some of the best up-and-coming talent from the area. Fans sold out all three nights at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA, ready to hear both the hits and the deep cuts they knew intimately.

Night 1 opened with melodic hardcore band Bite the Hand from Phoenix, AZ. They stormed the stage, ready to amp up the crowd. Vocalist Echo Breen delivered a mighty roar, screaming passionate lyrics while blending in softer melodic vocals that let the audience groove. Guitarists Conner Williams and Daniel Rancourt attacked the crowd with precision riffs, accentuating Echo’s vocal lines. Meanwhile, bassist Justynn Willingham danced around the stage, holding down the low end alongside drummer Forest Walldorf. Bite the Hand rocked the crowd with songs like “Roswel,” “TVs On,” “Razorblade,” “Smile Baby,” “Pageant Queen,” “Bent Knees,” “Stay Mad,” and “Bad Matches.” Their energy and Echo’s red-and-black hair gave them a vibe reminiscent of a heavier version of the fictional band The Clash at Demonhead from Scott Pilgrim.

Night 2 featured LA locals rosecoloredworld. Though I had heard of them before, this was my first time experiencing them live, and they won me over instantly. Vocalist Rae captivated the stage with her enticing voice, dancing and grooving with an aura that pulled the audience in. Guitarist Addison, dressed in a pinstripe suit with no shirt and sporting an afro, oozed charisma while shredding on a Les Paul guitar. His energy was reminiscent of Slash from Guns N’ Roses, and he even backed up Rae on vocals, harmonizing or trading lines to create a dynamic performance. rosecoloredworld had the audience hooked with songs like “cold day in hell,” “SPIT ME OUT,” “No One’s Home,” “hanging on (by a thread),” “Creep,” “all we had,” and “bl00dbath.” They announced an upcoming tour, and I highly recommend catching them live.

Night 3 brought a unique opener: Street Drum Corps, a percussion-based band. My first introduction to them was on The Used’s 2007 live album Berth, so I was excited to see them again. They opened with “Somehow,” as three masked members pounded on oil drums and buckets to create a banging groove. Bobby Alt then joined the stage, adding vocals to the percussive beats. Fellow percussionists Adam Alt, Jared Hren, and Nick Mason showcased their exceptional artistry, creating grooving, danceable music with makeshift drums. Fans rocked out to songs like “6th St. Bridge,” “Sdc X,” “Come Alive,” “Crazy,” “Rabbit,” “We are Machines,” “Little Ones,” and “Knock Me Out.” During one song, Street Drum Corps brought their kids on stage, making the show a family affair and a memorable experience.

When it was finally time for The Used to take the stage, they began each night with a unique video package. A large image of that night’s album artwork was projected onto a white curtain, followed by a heartfelt message from the band and footage of their journey over the years. As the curtain dropped, the crowd erupted, and the band launched into the first song of the night. For Self-Titled, they opened with “Maybe Memories,” the first song they ever wrote, making it a special moment to kick off the three-night event.

Every night, The Used were in top form. Vocalist Bert McCracken was as charismatic as ever, with fans hanging on his every word. Between songs, his smiles showed how much he still loves performing. Bassist Jeph Howard, an underrated talent, played a 5-string, 24-fret bass guitar—overkill for their music, but he made it fit perfectly. Guitarist Joey Bradford and drummer Dan Whitesides, though not part of the original lineup for these albums, played with passion and respect, delivering the true The Used experience.

Each night featured slight stage design changes, reflecting the iconic album artwork: the woman’s face from Self-Titled, the hanging heart from In Love and Death, and the surreal melting face from Lies for the Liars. On Night 2, Bert brought a young fan named Deegan on stage for “Hard to Say” and again the next night for “Liar Liar (Burn in Hell),” creating unforgettable memories. The band also introduced a couple who got engaged on stage, and Street Drum Corps returned for a few songs during Lies for the Liars, adding a nostalgic touch.

Some might think seeing the same band three nights in a row would feel repetitive, but the variation and growth across these albums made each night feel like a completely different show. For those who attended all three nights, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Used has added a second leg to this tour in the fall, and if you’re near one of the stops, don’t miss the chance to see them—even for just one night.