Marking 25 years as a band, The Used decided to celebrate in style with a unique set of shows, playing three separate nights in each city. Night one featured their Self-Titled album in its entirety, night two showcased In Love and Death, and night three was dedicated to Lies for the Liars. This special celebration of the band’s first three albums hit nine cities earlier this year and was so successful and beloved that they embarked on a second leg, hitting six more cities. The tour kicked off at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA, where fans packed the showroom for a chance to sing along with every song across three nights. I was fortunate to be in the room on night three for the deep cuts from Lies for the Liars.

Opening the night was emo heartthrobs Escape the Fate. Lead singer Craig Mabbitt performed with a huge smile on his face, clearly enjoying every second of being able to share the stage with The Used again. Guitarist Matti Hoffman carried the emo boy flag proudly with his swoopy hair and loose-fitting clothes, all while playing with incredible character and style.

Bassist Erik Jensen, stepping in as rhythm guitarist while TJ Bell takes a short hiatus, brought just as much attack to the guitar as TJ. Drummer Robert Ortiz held down the beat with his cool-guy style, rocking shades and frequently standing to slam on his drums while hyping up the crowd. Fans of The Used have likely been listening to Escape the Fate just as long, so the band had the entire crowd singing along to every song, including “Gorgeous Nightmare,” “H8 MY SELF,” “Low,” “The Flood,” “This War Is Ours (The Guillotine II),” “Broken Heart,” and “One for the Money.”

Having performed alongside The Used for much of their career, Escape the Fate’s set felt like a throwback to the late 2000s heyday of emo music, and the crowd loved every second of it.

Before The Used took the stage, a video package played, reminiscing about the band’s history and expressing gratitude to both old and new fans who have been along for the ride. As the curtain dropped, the band launched into the opening track, “The Ripper.” Diehard fans immediately went wild for this deep cut, as it was never a single. The mosh pit opened up, crowd surfers began pouring over the barricade, and the front row felt like it might tip over as fans reached out to connect with the band.

Vocalist Bert McCracken was visibly moved by the joy and energy of the fans, constantly smiling and giggling between songs in response to their reactions. Though the band doesn’t often perform many of these songs live, Bert gave his all, pouring his heart into the lyrics he wrote and holds close.

Bassist Jepha Howard, a founding member alongside Bert, was equally energized, dancing around the stage and roaring through the screamed lyrics. Guitarist Joey Bradford and drummer Dan Whitesides, though not part of the original lineup for Lies for the Liars, played with passion and precision, fully understanding how much this music means to the fans.

During “Paralyzed,” Bert invited a few fans on stage for a dance-off, creating a unique and memorable moment for those lucky enough to join the band.

The most emotional moment of the night came with the final song, “Smother Me.” A ballad about longing and the desire to be someone’s special person, the song filled the room with raw emotion as fans sang along. Many in the crowd were visibly moved to tears, reflecting on loved ones they wished were with them or those they had lost. For a band known for high-energy and screamo songs, ending the night—and the three-day run—with such a powerful ballad reinforced why The Used holds such a special place in their fans’ hearts.

This special run of shows was a gift to fans, and I feel lucky to have seen all three albums performed live earlier this year when the band came to Los Angeles. However, re-experiencing Lies for the Liars in Anaheim felt even more significant. Perhaps it was because I only got to see one night this time and wanted to savor every moment, or maybe it was the chance to truly appreciate the deep cuts. Either way, The Used made this a night to remember for everyone in attendance.

While I’d love to see even more of their albums performed in their entirety, that seems unlikely anytime soon. Regardless, I know I’ll be there the next time The Used, the greatest band in the world, comes through Southern California.