Words courtesy of Ally Arens
Featured Photo: Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, photo courtesy of Sophia Juliette/When We Were Young
The now-annual alternative/scene/emo pilgrimage to Las Vegas for a nostalgia-filled weekend in the form of the When We Were Young music festival has come and gone once again. For the first time, our team had the opportunity to participate and witness the phenomenon firsthand, instead of simply dealing with FOMO through a phone screen. When the line-up was first announced, featuring My Chemical Romance performing their iconic album The Black Parade in full for the first time since the conclusion of The Black Parade World Tour in May 2008, we knew attending in person was non-negotiable. Despite the initial agony of seeing Saturday tickets sell out the same day they went up, we opted for Sunday VIP access via a waitlist, which was approved within a day. And over $700 later, it was official—a long year of waiting and anticipation began.
Having already planned to attend and stay in town before and after the festival, the opportunity to attend Saturday’s show alongside Sunday’s was a no-brainer. With so many bands on the bill, it was clear that difficult choices would have to be made once the schedule was released (e.g., Fall Out Boy vs. Hey Monday). Attending both days allowed for a more paced experience, enabling the attendee to see many more bands than originally anticipated. The result was one of the most exhausting yet euphoric weekends they had ever experienced. For those on the fence about attending and able to afford it without significant financial strain, the recommendation is clear: do it.
The festival’s organizers and staff received high praise for pulling off such a massive event with relative smoothness. While areas like ADA accommodations could use improvement (one attendee explained that ADA viewing areas felt too crowded/did not have enough space for those who needed them), the experience overall went extremely well. Attendees could remain on-site for both full days without needing re-entry, and even GA ticket holders benefitted from two full bathroom facilities that were consistently clean and efficient—a rarity for an event of this size. Shaded picnic areas with misting fans provided a welcome respite from the Vegas heat.
Food options, though pricey, as is typically the case at larger festivals (entrees averaged $20–$25), offered decent portions and quality. Standout dishes included chicken dumplings with spring rolls near the main stage, as well as loaded cheese fries with chicken and buffalo/ranch sauces near the Pink Stage VIP. Free hydration stations also earned positive feedback, making it easier to stay hydrated without continually purchasing drinks.
The lineup was a fever-dream mix of 2000s/2010s alternative and Warped Tour favorites, with many sets featuring rare or debut performances. Highlights included Pierce the Veil’s live debut of “One Hundred Sleepless Nights” and My Chemical Romance’s cathartic The Black Parade performance. The festival also marked the return of bands like Tonight Alive and We Are the In Crowd after years away from the U.S. stage.
Across two days, we were able to catch around 15 full sets, a mere quarter of the 61-band lineup. Day one highlights included Daisy Grenade, Tonight Alive, and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, special moments including Hey Monday’s set, which featured collaborations with Jenna McDougall, Tay Jardine, and other female artists, creating a powerful, emotional moment during “Homecoming.”
On day two, we focused on catching missed acts from day one. Sets from Millionaires, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (again), and We Are the In Crowd stood out in the Verizon tent, which fostered an intimate vibe despite occasional logistical challenges. The camaraderie and joy during We Are the In Crowd’s set, especially with the high volume of crowd-surfers, epitomized the unifying magic of the event.
Main stage performances included Cobra Starship’s reunion, Simple Plan’s nostalgic hits, and Fall Out Boy’s high-production retrospective. Fall Out Boy’s inclusion of surprise songs like “Cupid’s Chokehold” with Travie McCoy and an electrifying set filled with pyrotechnics left a lasting impression.
My Chemical Romance’s stripped-back production focused entirely on the emotional and musical power of The Black Parade. Songs like “Welcome to the Black Parade,” “Mama,” and “Cancer” elicited raw catharsis from the crowd, creating an unforgettable experience.
The festival provided a rare opportunity for fans to revisit the music that shaped their youth while creating new memories. Events like these allow them to connect with their younger selves and revel in the timeless impact of music and community.
