Creed in Mansfield, MA – August 21, 2024

Last year, a day that many people thought would never come, finally came. Creed announced that they were reuniting, for a performance on the “Summer of ’99 Cruise.” After the success of the cruise, the band announced the “Summer of ’99 tour.” For the first time in 15 years, Creed descended upon Xfinity center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Joining them were fellow bands of the era, 3 Doors Down, and Finger Eleven.

Finger Eleven

First up was Finger Eleven, who played a rockin’ half hour set. The band is soon releasing their eighth studio album, Adrenaline, off of which we heard the title track, and “Together Right.” Finger Eleven is full of energy, but especially guitar players James Black and Rick Jackett, the latter of whom rarely kept his guitar strap around his person while playing… It is quite a sight to see.

I’ve enjoyed a handful of Finger Eleven songs over the years, and while I would have loved to see them play “Slow Chemical,” they delighted fans with their 2004 ballad, “One Thing,” before finishing up the set with “Paralyzer.” Coming out of the breakdown in the middle of Paralyzer, the band jammed on AC/DC‘s “Back in Black,” eventually bringing the Paralyzer lyrics back in over that riff, for a fun mashup.

3 Doors Down

Next up was the Mississippi rock band, 3 Doors Down. They’ve had many huge hits over the years, most of which made it into the set, though some were disappointed to not hear them play “Be Like That.” Songs like “Here Without You” and “Kryptonite” had the audience roaring. 

The band started off with “Train,” and singer Brad Arnold was having technical difficulties with his microphone. From where I was standing at the front of the stage, even though his microphone was not working, I could hear the voice coming out of his mouth over the sound of the band in PA. I was very impressed by the power he showed with his voice. After the song, Brad conversed with techs back stage, and picked up a spare microphone that was sitting at the front of the stage. As they started “It’s Not My Time,” he confirmed that second microphone was working, and the audience exploded with excitement.

Creed

As the stage was prepared for Creed’s return, you could feel the excitement in the air. Many fans in the sold out crowd had never had a chance to see the band perform, and many felt they never would. The lights went dark, and the band’s logo started flashing on the giant screens at the rear of the stage. The reunited Scott Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, Scott Phillips, as well as touring guitarist Eric Friedman, started playing the quiet intro of their song, Bullets. As Scott finished the spoken word intro to the song, and belted out the line “I think they shoot ’cause they want it, “ the band came crashing in, with pyro exploding from all around the stage.

Stapp addressed the audience, and said “I don’t even need to ask you this question, because I know you are,” and the band kicked into “Are You Ready?” From top to bottom, their set had the audience engaged. Songs like “What If?” and “One” had the audience singing along to every word. The band has always been well-known for their religious views, and at many points during the night Stapp would address the audience between songs, attempting to inspire people to set aside differences.

As the night drew near the end, the energy felt during the one-two combination of “With Arms Wide Open” and “Higher” was unmatched. While after these two huge songs, many people were seen leaving before the encore to beat traffic, those who did stick around where rewarded with “One Last Breath” and “My Sacrifice.” 

No one knows what will come next for Creed. Guitars Mark Tremonti has said an interviews that he has thousands of ideas and riffs for Creed songs in his library, so it’s certainly possible the band releases new music in the future. If they do not, and the band parts way again, then audiences were delighted to have this opportunity to relive the Summer of 99.