When We Were Young is just around the corner, but the question that has been on so many fans’ minds since the lineup announcement in October 2024 is: Will Never Shout Never be reuniting to perform at the festival?
Included on the original admat, speculation about NSN mouthpiece Christofer Drew’s return was quickly met with reminders of his consistent stance on retirement. Weeks before the 2024 WWWY lineup was unveiled, Drew told fans on X, “I’m looking forward to painting and modeling full time in the future quitting music was the best decision for my happiness. Thank you all for the support :)”
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Just a few days later, he added, “I retired from music in 2018 and now everything is finalized and official. I finished up some demos and things and now I’m done long term. My life is now healthy and happy and im painting and focusing on being a good dad I love you all thank you for the support;)”
Following the festival lineup announcement on October 25, 2024, Drew reiterated on November 2, “I’m NOT returning to music…there is a final solo acoustic set planned for next year I’m focusing on painting and modeling long term moving forward.”
As the months wore on, and with no additional information from Drew or the festival, he wrote on X in early 2025, “I will not be returning to music or the music industry.”
Two months later, he shared, “I will NOT be returning to music at any point. My love for modeling and painting is my focus. I love you all thank you for supporting me throughout the years i love you.”
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He implored fans just a few days later, “Please don’t expect any new music from me from any of my musical projects .. THATS ALL folks. I may record a few acoustic songs for recycled youth volume two in like 10 years maybe but THATS IT PERIOD.”
Following up later that day, saying, “I’m officially retired and it stays that way.”
With the festival now just weeks away, fans have continued to speculate whether he would perform or not, but that speculation has finally been put to rest. Last week, on September 11, Drew tweeted two posts. The first read, “I am honored to be invited to When We Were Young fest in Las Vegas. Unfortunately I will not be able to play the concert. I have been suffering from a mouth infection and I will need to do severe dental work for the rest of the year and will not be able to make the appearance.”
He added, “Thank you everyone who was planning on seeing me at the fest. I love you all so much! This mouth infection has taken over my life and I’m going to be okay but it’s very serious. Thank you and I’ll be in touch on X.”
So, unfortunately, Never Shout Never will not be reuniting to perform at When We Were Young next month in Las Vegas. It sounds like—if ever—it’ll be a long time before we hear NSN live again.