Live Gig Review and Photos: DJ – Screaming Digital Productions
The Creed reunion tour has been an overwhelming success. Even frontman Scott Stapp recently said the guys had no idea it would be this successful. But if you think about bands’ success in the ’90s, hits that targeted the right demographic just right. I vividly remember when Human Clay came out, their songs were all over commercial rock radio and TV. I was still a kid in high school, looking for a harder style of music to listen to.
There’s only so much pop or boy band music a kid can take, especially if they grew up listening to the good old days of MTV when they actually played music videos. Rage Against the Machine and Creed, maybe Metallica, were still making waves in those days, so yeah, Creed will always be a nostalgia band for the target demographic nowadays, these are bands that you grew up listening to.
Throughout the last decade, it seems the guys had planned on and off to maybe continue as a band, but seemingly their busy touring cycles with Alter Bridge and Stapp’s own solo work kept getting in the way. You know what they say about bands that have it, they usually don’t ever lose the magic of making great music, and it seems many Creed fans feel that same vibe. Because judging by the numbers of sold-out shows on the “Are You Ready Tour,” you can clearly see the affinity for many fans. I had a suspicion that after the Summer ’99 cruise in April 2024 was announced, they’d try to tour again. Who knows, maybe a new record is in the works.
I have to preface by saying that I’ve always enjoyed Alter Bridge. To me, they’ve been consistently one of the best modern hard rock bands we’ve had going for many years. The chemistry between all members, which obviously includes 75% of what was Creed and the uber-talented Myles Kennedy, is fantastic. So I don’t see them taking time away permanently for a Creed permanent reunion, but who knows? If the demand is there… well…
Well, here we are. I did miss the first time the guys played in Nashville, but I wasn’t going to miss the second time. We got to the show early as Nashville traffic is always chaotic. Got passes sorted and ready for action at Bridgestone Arena. I haven’t yet seen Mammoth WVH live, even though the magazine has shot the guys many times before here and overseas at major festivals. Same for 3 Doors Down; we shot the guys for the magazine last year, and the band was equally fantastic.
Wolfie and Mammoth are tight. I really enjoyed his debut record and I’m not surprised at the least; Wolfgang is an uber-talented musician. Growing up with your father as the legendary Edward Van Halen isn’t a bad gig. But it’s good to see Wolfie clap back at his critics for not sounding like his father’s band. Let the man do his own thing and pave his own road. If you don’t like it, move on. The guys are all business, just hitting the stage running with the killer anthem “Another Celebration at the End of the World,” as they quickly shift tempo to “I’m Alright” and “Take a Bow.” I quite enjoyed their set, wanting a slightly longer setlist, but I’m sure there’s plenty of new music to be had in the future, hoping the Mammoth keeps evolving into their own thing.
3 Doors Down, another interesting and nostalgic band from my youth, one that I also enjoyed when I would listen to more commercial radio and TV. Good old Mississippi boys from a small town of 3,000 people, they’ve done pretty good for themselves, haven’t they? Still relevant today, on a major tour in the year 2024. Good for them. Songs most will remember are, of course, “Kryptonite,” but “Duck and Run” is also a great tune, with such a catchy chorus. “Here Without You” still plays well with the diverse crowd, and of course, the classic “When I’m Gone” is such a nice, kick-driven tune, I love that one. Vocalist Brad Arnold still sounds pretty strong live, and the rest of the band showcases their hits with a firm grip on their legacy.
Creed’s stage time comes quickly… I’ve been noticing plenty of pyro in their set, not sure how that would play out with the photographer pit tonight which coincidently is a tough shoot with a crowded pit, videographers and security crammed up with production amps, super limited on movement (as it goes often times when you are shooting bands), sometimes at the arena they restrict photographers when there’s pyro happening in the production, but this one was pit all the way through.
Turns out the guys curiously start with “Bullets,” a tune that always had a bit of a metal vibe, and they come out firing on all cylinders. The same can be said for “Freedom Fighter” (First time since December 31st, 2002, first time with Brian Marshall). The fire keeps brewing loud with “Are You Ready” and the heavy bottom guitars of “What If,” this song just rips so loud live, a killer groove and one of my absolute favorites. The more laid-back rocker “What’s This Life For” calms things down a bit, Stapp’s signature deep voice was always a staple of the band’s sound, and he still maintains his voice in pretty good shape even after all the trials and tribulations he has been through in his life, good for him. He sounds fantastic on this night and his energy levels are through the roof. I really enjoyed “Rain,” a track with some very deep lyrical introspection. The tune sounds freaking great live, its simple riff package sounds great in 2024, super catchy. Speaking of lyrics…
Scott Stapp shared a powerful message during Creed’s Nashville show on Friday, saying, “We need to focus on what unites us, not what divides us, and work towards getting along.” I couldn’t agree more—well said.
After being shaken with “With Arms Wide Open,” we get taken “Higher” and the Nashville crowd feels it in their core, the whole arena is rocking with conviction. We always talk about the song, is always about the song, man, when the song is right, people relate, they remember the choruses, the groove, the way it makes you feel, even after all these years, these songs still resonate with folks. The encore ends with “My Sacrifice” and in all too soon an ending, the crowd is left wanting more…
I can say with conviction, Creed still has something to say, they still sound great, which I’m not at all surprised given the trajectory of all the band members. More wise, better musicians, and more mature, you would think, hopefully enough to continue their legacy with new music? Who knows what the future will tell, but it’s safe to say that the fans wanted this to happen, and they have received massive positive reactions from all the cities they have played.
Enjoyed every minute of this one, these songs and this band have always been very relatable to many, and the longtime fanbase has no issues being taken higher in the year 2024!!!
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CREED: “ARE YOU READY?” TOUR DATES:
Supporting Acts: * 3 Doors Down/Mammoth WVH | ^ Mammoth WVH/Finger Eleven
November 02 | Oklahoma City, OK | Paycom Center *
November 03 | Little Rock, AR | Simmons Bank Arena *
November 06 | Kansas City, MO | T-Mobile Center *
November 08 | Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena *
November 09 | Biloxi, MS | Mississippi Coast Coliseum * (Sold Out)
November 12 | Corpus Christi, TX | American Bank Center Arena *
November 13 | Fort Worth, TX | Dickies Arena *
November 15 | Austin, TX | Moody Center ATX *
November 16 | Bossier City, LA | Brookshire Grocery Arena * (Sold Out)
November 19 | Grand Rapids, MI | Van Andel Arena *
November 20 | Detroit, MI | Little Caesars Arena *
November 22 | Cleveland, OH | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse *
November 23 | Baltimore, MD | CFG Bank Arena *
November 25 | Montreal, QC | Bell Centre ^
November 27 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena ^
November 29 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden *
November 30 | Bangor, ME | Cross Insurance Center *
December 02 | Allentown, PA | PPL Center *
December 04 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena *
December 05 | Orlando, FL | Kia Center *
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