By now you have all heard of the “When We Were Young” Festival. The One Day Only in Las Vegas, Emo Fest. …Well, here are some thoughts from this “Elder Emo.”

On the surface seeing the lineup brought back so many memories and made me want to go badly!

I never got to see Paramore or HorrorPops. Pretty sure they are the only two on this lineup that I haven’t seen that I had ever wanted to.

But, how fun to see ALL these emo bands again!

Funny thing is, I think back then I never actually labeled myself as “emo,” but looking at my pictures from the past for this post and reading all the bands in the lineup, I realized I so was. I’ve seen a vast majority of them one time or another, so ya, I was definitely emo.

It also cracks me up as the “Elder Emo, Put A Finger Down” challenges pop up on my Tiktok FYP, like every time I get all. Rarely do I miss one. I scream as these scene-looking kids sit there clueless as each track is played…and these are mainstream hits, wtf? …Ok, sounding like the gatekeeping old man about band shirts, lol….ignore me.

...Looking at the flyer ad for the Festival again, I start really thinking…

Deep diving into calculations and remembering what festivals are like, you realize that’s like 30 minutes a band. Some overlapping and having to pick and chose which band means more to you at points. Though, of course, headliners get longer. I do remember being heartbroken once by this, Placebo at Projekt Revolution. That set was so not long enough. Sigh. I think this might be why I took a step back from festivals over the years, that or getting old???

But still. Thinking about the time of your favorite bands on stage and the price tag over $224.95 + fees (if you didn’t get the presale pricing) to over $500+ (VIP)…definitely not old Warped Tour prices. Ha…am I sounding old? Just the cost versus set time seems tough. That’s not even including the typical, food and travel costs.

Oh and fun fact, apparently some of the bands in this festival didn’t even know they were playing till it was announced. Maybe that’s a bit of a red flag? Actually, think about it, Live Nation also organized Astroworld…soooo???

Now let’s discuss the unfortunate timing of it all. So many concerts are still getting canceled left and right for covid reasons. How many of these bands will actually make it to the big event?

The covid crap is really what is hitting me. We made it to one show, Mother Mother since this pandemic started, and of course, right after our show they even had to cancel some of their following shows as the opener and others have tested positive. It sucks. You just never know what is gonna happen or not these days.

Is it worth the gamble to you? Not just the covid gamble, but like money tied up in a possibility? I mean life is always uncertain, nothing is ever guaranteed, but this festival is not exactly cheap for sure. Tickets are “non-refundable” as well.

Don’t get me wrong, even with all these thoughts, I totally ran to the site and signed up for a pre-sale code, like as if a deposit on general admission would suddenly work for me. It really would be really freaking awesome, but yeah, gonna have to be realistic … I can’t.

Can they offer an online stream??? ‘Cause, I think that’s where I’m at during this point. I’m also pretty sure I’m not alone in that thought either. That would really be awesome and I would be so in!

No matter, seeing all those names again was totally a fun trip down memory lane. And I guess I’m finally okay calling myself an “Elder Emo.”

Now, let’s all just hope we get more shows out of them all in the future. (Please, pretty please…fingers crossed!)

What are your thoughts? Have you seen these bands before? Let’s reminisce in the comments below!