Review and photography: Nate Rose

It’s a rainy Wednesday afternoon your excitement levels are high, you’re mum is yelling at you to hurry up but you’re not finished putting on eyeliner yet, you jump in the car and pick up your mate Josh on the way to the Tivoli to see one of your favourite bands The Used, ‘Here’s some money for merch’ says mum as she drops you off at the venue, life’s good it’s the year 2025 and you’re 42 years old.

Brisbane’s The Tivoli was drenched in nostalgia tonight as The Used celebrated 25 years with a front-to-back performance of their self-titled debut album. For many in the sold-out crowd, this wasn’t just a gig – it was a time machine back to 2002, when that raw, chaotic, and heartbreakingly honest record first crashed into their lives. But before the main attraction we had Canberra’s own Hands Like Houses to kick off proceedings.

Hands Like Houses strode onto the stage with the quiet confidence of a band who know they can hold their own. Opening for The Used is no small task ,the crowd was primed for nostalgia-fueled chaos, but HLH didn’t flinch. Instead, they delivered a set that was tight, dynamic, and surprisingly intimate for a rock show of this size.

From the first punch of distorted guitars, their blend of soaring melodies and punchy riffs cut straight through the room. Tracks like The Water and I Am had fans swaying one moment and headbanging the next, while frontman Josh Raven’s voice was as commanding. Between songs, he spoke with warmth and humility, acknowledging the honour of sharing the stage with The Used and thanking long-time fans for sticking with them through the band’s evolution.

An epic rendition of Chris Isaacs Wicked Game showed off the band’s versatility and proving HLH’s set wasn’t just a warm-up, it was a statement. Their polished musicianship, layered soundscapes, and ability to connect with the audience, even if it is, in Raven’s own words ‘Scaring the shit out of them’ after he ventured out into the crowd during ‘Paradise’ and startled one lucky punter, they proved they can captivate any stage, whether it’s a headliner slot or a support role. By the time they’re set wrapped, they’d left the crowd buzzing.

The lights dimmed and a huge white sheet lit up the stage with projections of the early days of The Used, you couldn’t help but feel a little emotional with the nostalgia that was being shown on screen. The distinct intro of Maybe Memories engulfed the room as the white sheet fell and the band flew all over the stage.

From the moment Bert McCracken swaggered on stage, mic in one hand and grin plastered across his face, the energy was electric. ‘The taste of Ink’ ignited the pit instantly, with every lyric roared back like a communal confession. As the band tore through ‘Say Days ago’ it was impossible not to reflect on just how much that debut meant to a generation — a soundtrack for heartbreak, rebellion, and finding your place in the noise.

Their ever charismatic ringleader, was all heart and high energy, bouncing across the stage with a cheeky grin plastered across his face all night. “Brisbane, you are my best friends,” he beamed, eyes sparkling with joy. “Just a few months ago, I got my Australian citizenship. I’m one of you now, it feels good to be Aussie.” The room erupted in applause and cheers it felt like a genuine homecoming.

And while the screams were deafening during ‘Buried Myself Alive’ it was during “On My Own” that things truly slowed down. “I might cry on this next song,” Bert confessed, his voice cracking slightly — and he wasn’t the only one. The room swayed gently, as he delivered one of the night’s most raw and heartfelt performances. It was a beautiful reminder of how much this music still means to so many.

Backed by the ever-tight Jeph Howard, Dan Whitesides, and Joey Bradford, the band sounded as punchy and potent as ever, breathing new life into songs that defined a generation. Each track from The Used felt fresh but familiar — like catching up with an old friend who hasn’t changed a bit but somehow got even better.

By the time the final notes of “Pieces Mended” rang out, there wasn’t a dry shirt or unsmiling face in the house. The Used didn’t just play an album — they took us all back to a time that we all will never forget, those memories of growing up and finding ourselves.

In a world that’s changed so much since 2002, The Used proved that some things — like shouting every word to “Blue and Yellow” with a room full of strangers who feel like family — never go out of style.