When We Were Young Festival 2025: A Nostalgic Dream for Emo and Pop-Punk Fans
by Abhilasha Bhattarai | February 7th, 2025
The When We Were Young festival is set to return in 2025 with a lineup that will leave fans of early 2000s pop-punk and emo music buzzing with excitement. Slated for October 18, 2025, at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, the festival continues its tradition of delivering a star-studded roster of legendary bands, and this year’s edition is shaping up to be one of the most memorable yet.
Leading the charge are two massive names in the alternative scene: Panic! At the Disco and Blink-182. Their presence alone is enough to make the festival a must-attend event, but they’re joined by an impressive list of rock heavyweights, including Weezer, Avril Lavigne, The Offspring, and All Time Low. These artists helped define the pop-punk and alternative rock landscape of the 2000s and beyond, making them the perfect additions to a festival that thrives on nostalgia.
A Lineup Packed with Legends and Rare Performances
Beyond the headliners, When We Were Young 2025 boasts a stacked bill featuring some of the most influential and beloved bands in the scene. Fans can look forward to sets from The Used, Bad Religion, Knocked Loose, Simple Plan, and Taking Back Sunday—all acts that have been staples of the pop-punk, emo, and hardcore genres for decades.
Adding to the excitement, the festival will also feature rare performances from some bands that have been largely absent from the touring circuit. Among them are Never Shout Never, The Cab, The Rocket Summer, and Jack’s Mannequin, acts that played pivotal roles in shaping the softer, more melodic side of the alternative music world. These performances are particularly significant for fans who have waited years—if not over a decade—to see these artists live again.
Panic! At the Disco’s Special Performance of A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out
One of the biggest draws of this year’s festival is a special performance from Panic! At the Disco, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. The album, released in 2005, became an instant classic with hits like “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” and “Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off.”
According to the festival’s press release, this will be the only opportunity to see Panic! At the Disco perform the album in its entirety. However, one major question remains unanswered: Who will be performing under the Panic! At the Disco name?
Brendon Urie, the band’s sole remaining member, announced in early 2023 that he would be retiring the Panic! At the Disco name to focus on his family. This announcement came after years of the band operating as essentially a solo project, with Urie being the only original member still involved. Given that this performance is centered around A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, fans are left wondering whether Ryan Ross, the album’s primary songwriter who left the band in 2009, might make an appearance. If so, it would mark the first time in over 15 years that Ross has performed with Panic! At the Disco, making this a truly historic moment for fans.
The Evolution of When We Were Young Festival
Since its inception in 2022, When We Were Young has quickly become one of the most highly anticipated festivals for alternative and pop-punk fans. The event was initially met with skepticism, as its first lineup was almost too good to be true—featuring massive names like My Chemical Romance, Paramore, and Bring Me the Horizon. However, it proved to be a success, bringing together generations of emo and punk fans in a way that no other festival had before.
The festival has continued to build on its success each year, with Blink-182 and Green Day co-headlining in 2023 and My Chemical Romance performing their seminal album The Black Parade in its entirety in 2024. This focus on full-album performances has become a signature feature of When We Were Young, offering fans a rare chance to hear their favorite records from start to finish in a live setting.
With Panic! At the Disco taking on A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out in 2025, it’s clear that this trend is continuing—giving longtime fans the perfect excuse to revisit the albums that shaped their youth.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss When We Were Young 2025
For fans of emo, pop-punk, and alternative rock, this festival is shaping up to be one of the biggest events of the year. Not only does it bring together some of the most influential artists in the genre, but it also provides an opportunity to experience rare performances, potential reunions, and full-album sets that may never happen again.
Tickets for When We Were Young festivals tend to sell out quickly, so fans should keep an eye out for pre-sale and general ticket sale announcements to secure their spot. Whether you were a die-hard emo kid in the early 2000s or a newer fan discovering these iconic bands, this festival promises an unforgettable experience filled with nostalgia, energy, and live music at its best.
