"We contemplate life's greatest questions as lyrics from 'Take It Away' begin and the heart beats to the sound of the drum."
"Welcome to night two, Melbourne!" The Used frontman Bert McCracken yells out. The iconic In Love & Death album cover artwork is brought to life on stage with an illuminated red heart in a noose hanging from a tree. We contemplate life's greatest questions as lyrics from Take It Away begin and the heart beats to the sound of the drum.
McCracken asks that any hate we feel be dissolved into love as we throw our arms around the people next to us and share a moment that brings us all closer together. There's something special about being able to listen to a favourite album live in its entirety; not only does it conjure up a comforting nostalgia, but you also can connect with it on a deeper level. Each song serves as an important link to the next and makes us feel a certain way as we associate it with a significant time, place or moment.
There's a lot of sadness in this record - it's about death and healing - so McCracken asks that we smile through it together. McCracken reveals All That I've Got is a pivotal track that signifies a time in his life when he first encountered death (he lost his beloved teacup Chihuahua, David Bowie, and then, shortly after, his first love tragically died of an overdose in 2004). He says that without music's powerful therapeutic qualities, he wouldn't be standing on the stage before us tonight. Stand By Me is a fitting cover that's added into the set on a whim.
McCracken lets us know that his favourite thing about this anniversary tour is the band's ability to include the soft and mellow stuff they don't usually play. Yesterday's Feelings is one such song and McCracken says he enjoys hearing the audience singing along. He encourages us to take a step back in time for Listening with a good old-fashioned punk rock circle pit. "Defy authority!" he shouts.
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"There's something about tonight and last night that I'll never forget," McCracken shares. "It's a true testament to how powerful music can be." I'm A Fake commences with McCracken reciting a poem he wrote. The whole audience joins in, reciting it word for word.
"Here's to another beautiful 15 years to come," McCracken enthuses, promising some new music will be coming our way very soon and adding that he's really excited to get into the studio and start recording in the new year. Some technical difficulties spark a spontaneous rendition of Play School's theme song as a tribute to "Australian classics" that he tells us his daughter would've loved to hear. They tease us with Pretty Handsome Awkward, a song from their third album (Lies For The Liars) for the encore. We wish The Used would continue playing their remaining albums, one per night, but will just have to settle for a repeat dose of the band's back-to-back, album-in-full shows at this same venue in December after they tour the rest of the country. If you haven't already got your tickets, however, it's too late — both shows are sold out.