When We Were Young Fest has quickly become the Super Bowl of emo and pop-punk music, celebrating every generation of eyeliner-smeared nostalgia under the Las Vegas sun. With a stacked 2025 lineup featuring blink-182, Panic! At The Disco, and Avril Lavigne set to hit the stage this weekend, all eyes are already on next year. If the festival follows tradition, it’ll return on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, 2026—and the big question is: who could possibly top that next year? Here are 10 artists who could easily take the headlining slot in 2026.
Paramore/Hayley Williams
Paramore headlined the inaugural When We Were Young Fest in 2022 alongside My Chemical Romance, who have now headlined twice (2022 and 2024). That means it’s officially time for Hayley Williams to return to Vegas and reclaim her throne. With her solo music soaring on TikTok, Paramore’s influence is stronger than ever, and Williams assuring fans that the band is “never going away,” they remain one of the most powerful forces in modern alternative music—ready to take back their spotlight.
mgk
Love him or hate him, mgk has become one of the biggest names driving pop-punk’s mainstream revival. After headlining Warped Tour DC and dropping his latest album, lost americana, this summer, his high-energy performances feel tailor-made for a When We Were Young headlining slot. Beyond his own catalog, mgk has collaborated with a multitude of alternative and scene artists—and even paid homage to his peers by covering songs from acts like Paramore.
Pierce The Veil
Fresh off a globe-trotting run that could rival Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Pierce The Veil are at the height of their talent. With The Jaws Of Life cementing their resurgence in 2023, they’re LONG overdue for their first WWWY headliner slot after performing the fest in 2022, 2023, and 2024—and could easily anchor a future lineup with a new album cycle looming.
YUNGBLUD
Before his death in July 2025, Ozzy Osbourne all but passed the torch to YUNGBLUD, implying that the boundary-breaking artist represented the next generation of rock and metal. With his explosive stage presence and ability to bridge generations of fans, YUNGBLUD has become a global force—headlining his own festival in the UK each summer. His energy, influence, and cult following make him a natural fit for the future of rock and metal on the When We Were Young main stage.
The Killers
The Las Vegas legends behind the song literally called “When You Were Young” have yet to headline the festival that seems created for them. It’s surprising that The Killers haven’t topped the bill before—but 2026 could finally be the year the hometown heroes claim the When We Were Young stage as their own.
No Doubt
Following their long-awaited reunion at Coachella earlier this year and Las Vegas residency at The Sphere slated for spring 2026, No Doubt could bring a blend of punk, ska, and pop nostalgia to the desert. Their iconic catalog would easily carry a headlining set that spans generations.
Turnstile
With a new album just released earlier this year and their massive influence on hardcore’s mainstream revival, Turnstile are more than ready for top billing. Have you seen how rowdy their crowds get?! After sharing the stage with Paramore’s Hayley Williams in past performances to promote Never Enough, they’re already bridging eras of alternative in a way that fits WWWY perfectly.
Evanescence
It’s time for Amy Lee to bring Evanescence’s haunting power and gothic intensity to When We Were Young. Over their 20-year career, the band has held their own across the male-dominated rock and festival circuit—headlining major events and consistently commanding massive crowds. Their inclusion would fill a long-overdue gap in WWWY’s history, adding both experience and representation to the headlining lineup.
Black Veil Brides
Fueled by one of the most loyal fanbases in modern rock, Black Veil Brides have the presence and staying power fit for a When We Were Young headliner. Their blend of grit, melody, and conviction has carried them from Warped Tour stages to arenas—and if anyone can hold a crowd from the first note to “In the End,” it’s BVB and Andy Biersack.
Jimmy Eat World
Emo royalty who’ve soundtracked countless teenage years, Jimmy Eat World have already proved their draw at When We Were Young, including their standout set in 2024. With “The Middle” still echoing as a generational anthem, giving them a headlining slot would feel not just fitting, but long overdue.
