For the 4th year in a row Las Vegas was transformed into a pop punk time machine as thousands of fans made trek to the desert on October 18. The When We Were Young Festival didn’t just live up to the hype – it delivered one of the most unforgettable days the genre has ever seen since its inception in 2022. From the first guitar riff of the Ghost and Allianz Side stages to the final firework above the main stages, the energy, the crowd, and the music came together in a perfect storm of nostalgia and joy. It may be 2025 but it felt a lot like 2005 in the desert sun of Las Vegas and fans were once again treated to a breezy 80 degree for their pop punk adventures back in time.
The lineup was stacked with legends and newcomers alike, and every performance hit just right. Panic! at the Disco brought a full-blown spectacle, playing A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out in its entirety to a roaring crowd. Blink-182 kept things wild and hilarious as always, while Avril Lavigne proved once again why she’s pop-punk royalty on the main stage. And bands like The Maine and Simple Plan kept the afternoon alive with singalongs and endless good vibes. Every set felt like a celebration of the scene – not just of the music, but of the culture and true community of “emo” around it. The hardcore scene turned up this year as well with massive sets from Beartooth, Motionless in White and Ice Nine Kills on the side stages that drew as large of crowds as a few of the main events did this year. The reduction from 5 stages down to floor allowed for an increased crowd flow that made it easier than ever to bounce between stages and kept the day moving at a rapid pace with back to back sets.
The festival itself was beautifully run. The desert setting gave everything a warm, cinematic glow, and the weather couldn’t have been better. Everywhere you turned, there was something to see or do – cool art installations, themed spaces, and plenty of great food for all tastes. There were probably more bars than were needed as alcohol consumption is trending down in the scene but the upside was those that wanted a beer never had to wait long. Everything felt carefully planned, and it showed: smooth transitions, friendly staff, and an atmosphere that made it easy to just enjoy the day.
But more than anything, the festival captured the heart of pop-punk — the mix of nostalgia, rebellion, and connection that makes the genre so special. Fans of all ages came together, shouting lyrics that meant something to them years ago and still do today. Every performance felt personal, and the sense of community in the crowd was electric.
As the 4th year of When We Were Young Festival came to a close fans filed out onto the Vegas strip once more wondering if Panic at the Disco would follow up this performance with a tour, when their favorite bands from the weekend were going to hit their home town and most importantly – will the festival return for a 5th year in 2026?? The scene has never been bigger and only time will tell, until then fans can quote Fall Out Boy and say ‘thanks for the memories’ until next time.
Photos: Matt Christine / Rock Documented – When We Were Young
