The Summer Of 99 tour is coming around and if you remember that summer, you remember that Creed was one of the biggest acts around. Riding a wave of popularity from their first album, My Own Prison (Blue Collar Records) and weeks away from the release of Human Clay (Wind-up Records), Creed could do no wrong. However, at some point, it became popular to hate Creed more than Nickelback. This was in part due to lead singer Scott Stapp’s substance abuse problems and a bit of the fame going to their heads. Ten years sober now, Stapp is back on top of his game and touring with friends Three Doors Down, and Finger Eleven. 

Recently the tour made a stop at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ one rainy evening. A large outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of 17,500, it was opened  in 1968 and regularly upgraded since. Getting there is easy as there is a dedicated exit off of the Garden State Parkway but leave extra time since traffic can back up, especially on a weeknight at rush hour. There is also shuttle service available from the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line from the Aberdeen–Matawan station. Concessions are just about everywhere you look and in particular a large array of alcoholic beverages are within easy reach.  Much of the seating is undercover, but there are some lawn seats subject to adverse weather conditions. Parking can be some distance from the venue itself, so wear comfortable shoes. 

If there was a theme for the night, it might have been efficiency. Finger Eleven started a minute or two before the posted start of seven and immediately launched into an all too short seven song set. “Above” was an expert introduction to the band’s style and had everyone present paying close attention. The new single released about a week before the show, “Adrenaline,” was very well received and should prove to be one of their best songs. The set closed out with an exceptional version of their biggest hit “Paralyzer” that included excerpts from “That’s All” by Genesis and “Back In Black” by AC/DC. This was a perfect opener and stylistically matched up with the other two bands.  

They’re getting closer, but we have Three Doors down first and their set starts with a countdown on a video screen before they come out and play “Train” with a heavy stomping beat. The only remaining original member of the band is Brad Arnold and as he sings his way through an energetic set it becomes apparent that his voice is almost completely unaffected by the time that has passed since their first single in 2000. He sounds great and doesn’t miss a single note. During a pause in the action, Arnold takes the time to address the crowd and the Mississippi twang is evident in his speaking voice. He explains that Creed was the band that first took Three Doors Down out on tour twenty five years ago. To save you the math that would be the summer of 99 and the origin of this tour’s name. 

A few songs in and after an exhausting performance of “Duck and Run,” things slow down a bit with “Here Without You.” Everyone comes to their feet and sings along with this beautiful rendition. A couple more songs, a heartfelt speech from Brad Arnold about his faith, and before you know it the set is closing out with the required “Kryptonite” and appropriately “When I’m Gone.”  

Are you ready?  It is time for Creed.

To address the Creed haters; clearly, you haven’t seen them playing at the top of their game and that is now. Everyone on stage is an original member and a somewhat humbled Scott Stapp sounds better than ever. Stapp, looking buff, is sporting a shorter haircut and could be a stunt double for Henry Rollins should the need arise. 

In contrast with the audio mix of Three Doors Down who had the vocals pushed forward, Creed has chosen to keep Stapp’s vocals as part of the music to reinforce that they are all part of the same band and no one stands above the others. Each of them sounds great alone, so making anyone stand out would be doing a disservice to the others who also deserve recognition. It becomes clear how Creed experienced such a meteoric rise to fame. These guys are damned good. “Bullets,” “Never Die” into “My Own Prison” (complete with an audience sing along), each song builds on the last and puts on display what the band is capable of. “Faceless Man” provides a highlight as it builds in intensity and has everyone once again standing. 

One fun moment comes when lead guitarist Mark Tremonti gives his stage played Paul Reed Smith guitar to the audience member who can scream the loudest. Not being stupid, he chooses an attractive woman who doesn’t have to walk very far to receive her prize. This gives everyone a chance to catch their breath before the biggest hits of “With Arms Wide Open” and “Higher” close out the set. An encore of “One Last Breath” and “My Sacrifice” ends the show before everyone leaves to Frank Sinatra. What else could you do in a NJ Venue?   

The tour will continue through the beginning of December and even Stapp told the audience to hold 11/29/2024 open as they will be playing Madison Square Garden. That show was officially announced a few days later. If you want to see a band that has matured and grown into one deserving of their success, these are your guys. If you like powerful clear vocals and screaming guitar, these are your guys. If your music comes from the late nineties and early 2000s, these are your guys.

Setlist:
Bullets
Torn
Are You Ready?
Never Die
My Own Prison
What If
Weathered
Overcome
Say I
Faceless Man
One
What’s This Life For
With Arms Wide Open
Higher

Encore:
One Last Breath
My Sacrifice

WRITTEN BY MATTHEW KOCHEK
PHOTOS BY KIM HANSEN @PHARMADIVER
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