The Used: Live in NYC
Irving Plaza, New York - 4.19.2025
The Used brought their 25th anniversary tour to New York City this weekend. The month and a half long tour is showcasing the band’s first three albums - The Used (2002), In Love and Death (2004), and Lies for the Liars (2007). Each city stop on the tour will be three nights, with each night featuring one album performed in full.
The Photo Blur contributor Louie T. Galvez was on hand to capture and deliver these amazing photos from Night One of the show.
THE USED
Maybe Memories
The Taste of Ink
Bulimic
Say Days Ago
Poetic Tragedy
Buried Myself Alive
A Box Full of Sharp Objects
(With Smells Like Teen Spirit ending)
Blue and Yellow
Greener With the Scenery
Noise and Kisses
On My Own
Pieces Mended
Choke Me
It was pure nostalgia and chaos.
On April 19, 2025, The Used hit Irving Plaza in New York City with their self-titled album. The band performed three nights in each city, one album each night: “The Self-Titled,” “In Love and Death,” and “Lies for the Liars.” I got lucky and attended the first night. When that album came out, it was very special to me; it was my jam and the album that put them on the map. I remember the first time I heard “The Taste of Ink.” It was 2002. I was on my way to work, and the FM station in my car played it that day; I couldn’t get it off my mind. I was trying to explain to my brother how awesome this song was! From then on, I continued listening to The Used and other bands that fell into the same genre. Yet, despite my adoration, I hadn’t seen them live until this year, and photographing their iconic album and had been on my bucket list for 25 years
**Night 1 - Self-Titled Debut Album**
As I mentioned before, I had never experienced a live performance from them, which made this experience all the more thrilling for me. The setlist opened with “Maybe Memories,” featuring an intense blend of heavy bass and guitar, accompanied by a sound reminiscent of a police siren in the background that set the stage for the powerful, emotive vocals of Bert McCracken. The album’s second single, “The Taste of Ink,” is undoubtedly a fan favorite. I vividly recall driving, singing along to the lyrics, “So here I am / It’s in my hands / And I’ll savor every moment of this,” as if I had something truly worth savoring during those years.
After this track concluded, Bert exclaimed, “That was amazing! I can already tell this is going to be a good night.” As the band transitioned into the next song, “Bulimic,” I found myself singing along, only to become overwhelmed during the chorus: “Goodbye to you / You’re taking up my time.” Singing those lyrics provided a cathartic release, allowing me to let go of the negativity clouding my mind and reaffirming my identity. This concert was one of those occasions where I attempted to capture the moment through photography but struggled to focus, as the energy was so intoxicating!
When they performed “Buried Myself Alive” (another single from the album), it ignited a sense of euphoria in both me and the crowd of surfers, all were singing and screaming along with Bert. This song has become one of my enduring favorites from their debut album. The lyrics resonate deeply with the experience of grappling with overwhelming negative thoughts and feelings, often making one feel as if they are “burying themselves alive.” I have experienced this internal struggle many times, yet I always manage to dig myself out.
“Blue and Yellow” has consistently been the most poignant track for me on this album. Hearing it live, I felt an intense disconnection within myself, completely engulfed by the emotion and personal significance of the lyrics. At that moment, I retreated upstairs, perfectly timed for “On My Own,” and I lost it. Just weeks prior, I had ended a nearly two-year long-distance relationship, resonating with the lines, “I'm choking on nothing, it's clear in my head and I'm screaming for something,” “I want to hear your voice out loud,” and “I’m on my own.” Yes i F*cked up, i will admit that.
As the set approached its conclusion, Burt paused between two songs to express, “I’m stalling because I don’t want this night to end.” The palpable energy from the audience was unmistakable, with fans passionately singing along to every lyric throughout the entire album. We shared his sentiment; none of us wanted the night to conclude. Eventually, the band reached the final track, “Pieces Mended.” However, any devoted fan of The Used is aware of the hidden track that follows the album’s conclusion. While “Pieces Mended” would have made for a fitting and memorable finale, the audience anticipated one more song. After concluding their performance, the band returned to the stage with renewed vigor, launching into the intense and fast-paced “Choke Me.” The crowd erupted with enthusiasm, fists raised high and mosh pits forming in the lower section of the venue.
PHOTO GALLERY
Captured by: Louie T. Galvez
ABOUT: THE USED
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah, formed in 2000. The group consists of vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford. Former members include Quinn Allman, Branden Steineckert, and Justin Shekoski.
The band rose to fame in June 2002 after releasing their self-titled debut album. They followed up with their second album, In Love and Death, in September 2004 and their third album, Lies for the Liars, in May 2007. Shallow Believer, an EP that featured most of the band's B-sides, was released in February 2008. Their fourth studio album, Artwork, was released in August 2009. A fifth album, Vulnerable, was released in March 2012. In July 2013 they released another EP, titled The Ocean of the Sky. Their sixth album, Imaginary Enemy, released in April 2014. Their seventh studio album, The Canyon, was released in October 2017. Their eighth studio album, Heartwork, was released in April 2020 and a deluxe version with the B-sides from the recording sessions was released in September 2021. Their ninth studio album, Toxic Positivity was released in May 2023 and the B-sides from it were released on the album Medz in June 2024.
The Used have enjoyed commercial success with their albums achieving gold and platinum statuses in many countries worldwide. Alternative Press Magazine conferred the title of "kings of the 2000s emo scene" on the band.*
*Taken from Wikipedia