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

On Friday, May 16th, The Used returned to the House of Blues San Diego to cap off the final night of their three-show residency in honor of the 25th Anniversary of being the greatest band of all time (their words… and ours). After performing their first two albums — The Used (2002) and In Love and Death (2004) — earlier in the week, Friday’s set was dedicated to their 2007 full-length Lies for the Liars. The night also continued the celebration at the House of Blues, aka downtown San Diego’s most beloved live music venue celebrating 20 years in business all summer long!

Opening the night were Santa Monica’s punk rockers Speed of Light. The sibling trio, Riley (bass/vocals), Cameron (guitar), and Tyler (drums), unleashed a performance that matched the night’s energy from the very first note. Songs like “Kill the Vibe”, “Teeth”, and their newest single “Séance” hit with clarity and conviction, bringing fresh youth into a classic sound. With their debut album on the horizon, Speed of Light proved they’re a must-watch act with star power.

When The Used finally hit the stage, the sold-out crowd of 1,200 (that were mostly the same from the first two nights) erupted.

From the opening notes of “The Ripper”, the band launched into Lies for the Liars front-to-back, an album that blends a more produced sound with the band’s signature grit. Vocalist Bert McCracken poured himself into every lyric, shifting effortlessly between manic glee and tender vulnerability, while longtime bassist/scream guild Jeph Howard, guitarist Joey Bradford, and drummer Dan Whitesides held down the tightest of rhythms.

Moments of levity and connection peppered the night: a fan proposal onstage (she said yes!!), spontaneous sing-alongs, and even fans invited up to dance were all reminders that The Used’s bond with their audience runs deep. Bert thanked us for 25 years of support and promised to stay around for 25 more uninterrupted years. This show was a true reunion of diehard fans (quiet literally, as we all bonded over the three shows). 

Though their San Diego run has ended, The Used will bring their three-album tour to select cities across the country this fall, including Anaheim, Dallas, and Philadelphia. As both the band and venue continue to age like fine, mascara-streaked wine, this third and final Friday night proved that emo was never a phase — and the community is thriving. 

Photography by Franny Kovacs

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