On the 3rd weekend in October the Las Vegas Festival grounds flooded with people wearing converse and black eyeliner. The 4th When We Were Young festival was underway, and it came to play. Consisting of both Saturday and Sunday shows, on display were some of the most iconic bands from the early 2000s, and their goal was simple; Play their most iconic album in its entirety.
This festival was massive with some of my all-time favorite bands playing the best of the best of their work. The creators of the festival made sure to pull out all the stops for it as well. Hydration stations were on every corner of the venue, and food and beverage tented lined the festival grounds. I also thought there was a really great layout to the festival that, aside from crowds, was incredibly easy to navigate. There also were some additional tents that added some fun flair to the fest. There was a tent dedicated strictly to Tito’s vodka that always had something fun happening, and there was even a tent where festival goers could buy high quality earplugs for the oncoming shows. In terms of accommodations, When We We’re Young fest absolutely crushed it.
Band I Was Most Excited to See: Neck Deep
If there was one album that really got me through my senior year of high school, it would no doubt be Neck Deep’s album Life’s not out to get you. These guys brought energy to the festival grounds. Playing songs such as December, Rock Bottom, and Smooth Seas Don’t Make Good Sailers, it was an instant reminder why I continue to listen to these guys after all these years.
Most Nostalgic Band: Simple Plan
Entering the stage in a “I’m just an adult…and life is a nightmare shirt” Simple plan quickly showed everyone why they had a place in all our playlists. They played Fun, and energetic songs that brought you back to middle school. Simple Plan was also the first band I was at the fest that didn’t play their promised album in its entirety. Slated to play No pads, no helmet…just balls, instead the band opted for a more unique set, playing songs across multiple albums. They even pulled the lead singers from State Champs and We the Kings to play their song Where I belong, and yes…of course they played What’s New Scooby Doo!
Worst Set of the Day: Taking Back Sunday
The worst set of the day was without a doubt, Taking Back Sunday. There was one main problem with this set, and it was the lead singer. Very clearly, he had indulged in some substances, and he was on another planet during this set. He dropped his microphone at least 3 times, and often he was performing to the backdrop of the stage behind the drum kit as opposed to the audience. It’s absolutely worth saying, the rest of the band did really well u see the circumstances. Notably, their lead guitar player took over the clean and scream vocals while playing guitar and it was quite impressive. But unfortunately, the leading man’s behavior REALLY did a number on the set overall. They didn’t even play MAKEDAMNSURE before cutting the set and exiting the stage.
Best Set of the Day: Fall Out Boy
Easily the best and most performative set of the day went to Fall Out Boy. These guys CAME. TO. PLAY! They also did not stick to their slated “Infinity on High” album setlist, but rather they played a few songs from each album they have released. It felt like an eras tour for Fall Out Boy! All of these sets also consisted of multiple different costumes, and extravagant set pieces. During their songs The Pheonix and My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark, two of the biggest flame throwers that have ever seen on a stage ignited from the top of stage, and bassist Pete Wentz even had a mini flame thrower attached to his bass that ignited in increments throughout the night. This band lived up to all the hype and more, and it was easy to see why they were given one of the two headliner spots.
Most Memorable Band: My Chemical Romance
If you are an MCR fan, you truly cannot prepare yourself for that one piano key strike (you know the one). This was my first time seeing MCR and given Gerard Way’s increasing health issues I had wondered if I would ever get to see this band live. Yet in the LAs Vegas Fair grounds, 70,000 people collectively singing along to songs like Welcome to the Black Parade, and Teenagers, was magic. In addition to that, they were there to perform The Black Parade, and they delivered that and then some. Once the whole album was done the band exited the stage but not for long. Rushing back to their instruments they encored with NA NA NA, and Helena, and hearing the words “so long and good night” felt like a proper end to an overall great festival.