The Used 25th Anniversary Tour in San Diego: Night Two

Night Two of The Used’s three-night run at the House of Blues San Diego was a celebration of In Love and Death — the band’s beloved 2004 album. Performing it front-to-back, The Used made a whole lot of aging Millennials happy performing the bible of post-hardcore albums two decades later. 

The night kicked off with a heart-pounding set from Street Drum Corps, whose industrial-strength percussion and theatrical energy turned heads and rattled souls. With founding members Bobby Alt, Adam Alt, and Frank Zummo at the helm, the group delivered a visually intense, rhythm-driven spectacle. Theatrics were at a 10, accompanied by rhythmic percussion that got the room alive and ready for Love and Death night. 

From the moment Bert McCracken took the stage, the room became deafening.

His voice, equal parts anguish and grace, brought every lyric to life, while the band (made up of guitarist Joey Bradford, bassist Jeph Howard, and drummer Dan Whitesides) tightened around him like a coiled spring, bouncing around the stage like the chaos described in songs like “Take It Away” and “Let It Bleed”. The crowd responded with mosh pits; the only way to truly express the buildup of energy. “Lunacy Fringe” and “Hard to Say” pulled the room into quieter, aching moments of reflection… I even saw some people slow-dancing in the crowd. That’s the energy we need! 

By the time the final screams of “I’m A Fake” echoed through the venue, it was clear this was a powerful reawakening of an album that still hits like a punch to the chest to everyone in the venue, further solidifying the now-cliché “it was never a phase”.

As The Used continued their 25th Anniversary Tour with Lies for the Liars on Night Three, I was sure I’d be seeing everyone back the next day for the grand finale!

Photography by Franny Kovacs

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