The Used wrapped their three-night 25th-anniversary run at Citizens House of Blues Boston, performing Lies for the Liars front to back.
We’ve been spending a lot of time on Lansdowne Street this year and with good reason. The venues surrounding Fenway Park have been absolutely knocking it out of the park with the artists they’ve brought through. This time, we headed back to Beantown for the final night of The Used’s three-day 25th anniversary run, with each night dedicated to one of their first three albums played in full.
The first band up, Actor Observer, is a local band from Boston. The band has steadily been gaining momentum since the mid-2000s. The first album, The Longer Now, was released in 2015, they have since gone on to release two other albums, 2018’s Pareidolia and 2022’s Songs For the Newly Reclusive.
Boston’s music scene is packed with talent, and it’s got that close-knit vibe where you’ll often see the same bands sharing stages. Rebuilder—who we caught opening for Dropkick Murphys a few weeks back—also opened for The Used on night two of their Boston run. During their set, Actor Observer reflected on how wild it is to go from playing tiny rooms together to hitting a bucket list venue like House of Blues. It’s incredible to get to see a lot of these local bands get the opportunity to play in larger venues.
Actor Observer was a perfect fit to be the opening act for The Used. Their high energy electrified the crowd. Starting the night with “Disappearance” from The Longer New. The song started mellow and building in intensity until Greg Marquis on vocals kicked in with ferocity, setting the tone for the night. The night continued with a healthy mix of songs of all their albums. From Cargo Cult from 2022’s Songs for The Newly Reclusive, to “Northern Skin” from their 2017 One Another single.
Their music is a perfect balance of post-hardcore rock. They take their fans on a journey of guttural screams and melodic courses, working in harmony together to create something magical. The band explores so many topics the resonate with people, from generational trauma, toxic masculinity and isolation to name a few.
Actor Observer is on track to have an incredible 2025, we got a taste of what is coming down the line for them with a brand new song, “Found Waiting,” due to be released in late spring/early summer. For all you post hardcore rock fans, you are in for a treat.
Next up was The Used. Many fans in the crowd had already been there for nights one and two. Night one featured their 2002 self-titled debut, night two spotlighted 2004’s In Love and Death—and next, night three was all about 2007’s Lies for the Liars. Each show gave one iconic album its moment, played in full from start to finish. For longtime fans, it was a rare and unforgettable experience.
As the crew set the stage, a massive curtain dropped to hide the setup – and for good reason. It doubled as a projection screen. A countdown suddenly appeared, signaling that night three was about to begin. When it hit zero, a video montage played, featuring the band reflecting on what Lies for the Liars meant to them. Lights flickered behind the curtain, building anticipation – until it finally dropped and The Used launched into “The Ripper.”
The energy only grew from there with “Pretty Handsome Awkward,” “The Bird and the Worm,” and “Earthquake.” Fans of all ages screamed every word, hands in the air, fully locked in with the moment. The connection between the band and the audience was electric – each song raising the intensity higher.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came during “Paralyzed” when Bert McCracken invited fans to join the band on stage. A wave of people flooded up—dancing, headbanging, filming—and completely soaking in the experience. It was the kind of moment that fans dream of: being a part of the music rather than just witnessing it.
The energy hit a fever pitch during “Liar Liar (Burn in Hell).” Red lights bathed the stage as the song’s gritty riffs rang out. Mosh pits broke open, crowd surfers soared overhead, and just before the final breakdown, the band held the tension. Then, McCracken let out a piercing scream, ripping into the song’s explosive finale and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
There were also moments when the chaos paused, giving way to something more reflective. McCracken looked out at the crowd, soaking in the moment, and shared a few heartfelt words. He spoke about the band’s 25-year journey – never taking a break, never breaking up—and how grateful they were to still be here, together, with their fans.
Before closing out the set with the emotional fan favorite “Smother Me,” the band surprised the crowd with “Pain,” a B-side from the Lies for the Liars era. It was a special treat—one more deep cut to round out a night that already felt unforgettable.
It’s no surprise to any of us that The Used has continued creating music for decades, resonating with fans of all ages. Their first three albums alone have all reached gold or platinum status, selling a combined 10 million copies worldwide—an incredible accomplishment that cements their place as a foundational part of the early 2000s alternative rock, post-hardcore, and emo scene. The Used isn’t going anywhere—they remain a powerful voice for anyone who turns to music to help navigate life.
The Used’s anniversary tour continues through mid-May, wrapping up in San Diego.
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