Last year, Creed announced an unprecedented return to playing after a decade-plus-long hiatus in the form of the Summer of ‘99 Cruise. That inevitably sparked rumors of a full-fledged reunion and tour and fans started clamoring, never to end.
Fast forward to the summer of 2024 and the band is out on their first full tour- the Summer of ‘99 Tour and they’ve brought out a slew of big names for support, split between different legs. The recent Noblesville date got 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven as opening acts and the show drew over 24,000 fans for a night of nostalgia.
Finger Eleven started the night off with a high-energy set that saw the band jumping around, throwing their instruments in the air and really doing their best to get the party going early and wrapped things up with “Paralyzer,” which saw them sampling “Back in Black” to go along with the lyrics to close the set.
3 Doors Down was up next and played a set perfectly balanced between heavy-hitters and classic ballads and the band made a point to prove they can still throw down and are more than just a soft-rock band like a lot of people assume.
Songs like “Train,” “Time of My Life,” “Loser” and “Kryptonite” were scattered throughout the set, accompanying classics like “Here Without You,” “Landing in London” and “Let Me Go.”
Singer Brad Arnold is in the best shape of his life and has grown his hair out. He was also in a glowingly great mood, thanking the crowd after every single song, calling them his friends and wore a smile he couldn’t wipe off. He also took time to tell the crowd how much Jesus Christ loves them.
Creed took the stage last, with a stage set up that was awe-inspiring and a production that included some of the most stunning and beautiful imagery you’ll ever see. They opened with “Bullets,” as Scott Stapp lurked around the stage like a possessed animal on the prowl as pyro launched behind the band.
To see Brian Marshall, Scott Phillips, Mark Tremonti and Scott Stapp on stage together and happy was moving and amazing. Their chemistry felt like no time had passed, let alone 12 years and the sold out crowd didn’t take that lightly, singing at the top of their lungs for every note of every song.
Their setlist was a perfect encapsulation of their first three albums, showcasing the biggest hits off of each one and the crowd knew every word. The band even gave away a stage-played guitar from Mark Tremonti- which Tremonti made Stapp decide which fan would get.
In the end, this wasn’t just a reunion concert, it was a celebration of Creed’s career. The crowd was a mix of longtime fans who have been there since the beginning, fans who became fans during middle school and high school when Weathered came out and the WWF was playing the band on Monday Night Raw and people who became fans after the last breakup and never got to see them live.
Everyone in the crowd was wearing a smile, had their arms around each other and were singing like there was no tomorrow- often drowning out the band. From the opening notes of “Bullets” through the screams of “What If” to the heavenly prophecies of “Higher” to the encore of “One Last Breath” and “My Sacrifice,” this show was a party, a celebration and an experience fans will never forget.
-Reggie Edwards