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The Used Revives the Romance of Emo in Detroit
- Konstantina Buhalis
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
25 Years Later, “In Love and Death” Still Shreds—and Soothes
The Fillmore, Detroit – April 7–9, 2025
Article by Konstantina Buhalis, Contributor
Article Edited by LJ Portnoy, Editor-in-Chief
Photos by LJ Portnoy
From Basement Demos to Emo Royalty
At the height of emo’s golden age, a few bands rose to iconic status—and The Used was undeniably one of them. Emerging from the early 2000s post-hardcore wave, they blended raw poetry with arena-worthy hooks, capturing the hearts of eyeliner-clad teens and scene kids across the globe. With 2.8 million monthly Spotify listeners still tuning in, The Used’s influence hasn’t faded—it’s evolved.
The Utah-based band, formed in 2000, hustled through early setbacks before linking with producer John Feldmann (Goldfinger). Their self-titled debut (2002) set off an explosion, powered by anthems like “The Taste of Ink,” “Buried Myself Alive,” and “Blue and Yellow.” All three made the charts, and the record went platinum, kicking off what would become a defining era.
Three Albums, Three Nights, Three Different Vibes
This tour wasn’t just a concert—it was a retrospective. Three nights, three albums, three emotional journeys. While each show stood on its own, they also told a collective story of transformation.
Night two—In Love and Death—felt like a raw open wound. Konstantina captured the electricity of that sold-out crowd, the line snaking around the Fillmore, fans screaming every lyric like a lifeline.
“The energy was electric and exciting, with fans from Gen X all the way to Zoomers,” Konstantina wrote. “One yelled ‘The Used saved my life.’ Another shouted ‘I love you, Bert!’ It was undeniable—their music still matters.”
By contrast, night three (featuring Lies for the Liars) had a different flavor.
“It was actually the smallest crowd of the three,” shared LJ Portnoy, Editor-in-Chief of SoundCheck Mag, who asked a fan who had attended all three nights. “But the vibe tonight are super relaxed. The crowd is just soaking it all in.”
While the second night was pure nostalgia, the third night felt like the band—and the fans—settling into their skin.
The Crowd: Generations of Black Eyeliner and Healing
Both nights made one thing clear: this fanbase has grown—but never outgrown emo.
“It reminded me of Jonas Con,” LJ added. “There were multi-generational fans—dads with daughters, some lifting toddlers on their shoulders flashing tiny ‘rock on’ hands.”
It wasn’t just a concert. It was a passing of the torch.
Bert McCracken: The Heart of the Stage
Mid-set during night two, Bert McCracken took a moment to reflect, revealing he had just passed 13 years sober—a moment that brought cheers, tears, and toasts from the crowd.
“He was glowing,” LJ noted from of night three. “I loved seeing the smiles on his face. You could tell he was in his atmosphere—completely at peace and proud to be up there.”
Each night, Bert’s connection with the crowd felt intimate, like a conversation with old friends—loud, chaotic, and deeply comforting.
Final Thoughts: Emo Isn’t Dead—It Grew Up With Us
The Used isn’t a band frozen in time. They’re still here—louder, wiser, and just as vital. Whether you came for the screams, the sobs, or to introduce your kid to the music that saved you, this tour was a love letter to every fan who's ever felt too much.
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