I’ve been hearing so many great rumours and news regarding this year’s Creed reunion tour that I had to check it out for myself. In the past, I have run into many disappointments chasing nostalgia, but this time around, the evidence out there outweighed my possible disappointment (and my general dislike for arena shows due to the sometimes awful sound quality they have).
I’m happy to report that, with the exception of the sound in the first couple of songs, the show was phenomenal. No wonder it has been a wild success all over North America. The music, the effects, the message, and the rapport with the people made it a very memorable experience—definitely among the top shows for me in 2024.
For people who grew up with their music, like me, who grew up with songs like Higher and With Arms Wide Open on constant rotation on their MP3 players (legally downloaded), this tour feels like reconnecting with an old friend.
Their music, packed with themes of faith, struggle, and redemption, has aged well, and so has the band. This is a group that has lived through ups and downs and come out on the other side with their passion and talent intact.
The night kicked off with two strong openers, Finger Eleven and Mammoth WVH.
Mammoth WVH, led by Wolfgang Van Halen, brought an energetic set that showcased his ability to craft his own identity apart from his father’s legacy.
Finger Eleven, Creed’s labelmate for more than two decades, delivered their signature hits, warming up the crowd perfectly for what was to come.
The venue was 80% full while the openers were playing, something I’m not used to seeing at huge shows and venues like this one.
By the time Creed took the stage, the energy in the venue was full of expectation and pumped up from the bands that came before.
They opened with Bullets, a choice that immediately set the tone for the night—bold, loud, and unapologetically powerful.
Stapp, already sweating by the end of the first song, promised the audience “a journey through the human experience…both physical and spiritual.”
And boy, did they deliver.
The setlist spanned the top three albums of the band’s career (Human Clay, My Own Prison, and Weathered), taking evenly from all of them, including songs from early favourites like My Own Prison to crowd-pleasers like Higher.
Fans sang every word of With Arms Wide Open, but some might have noticed a small change—Stapp’s pronunciation of “open” has shifted from the original “o-pon” to a more straightforward “o-pen.”
It’s a minor detail, but one that longtime listeners couldn’t miss. I found it disconcerting at first but got used to it by the end of the song.
One particularly touching moment came during What If, when the band handed a guitar to a young fan named James.
Watching his face light up as he realized he’d be taking it home was a reminder of the personal connections this band continues to foster with their audience.
Here’s the setlist for the night:
- Bullets
- Freedom Fighter
- Torn
- Are You Ready?
- Never Die
- My Own Prison
- What If
- Say I
- Unforgiven
- Don’t Stop Dancing
- One
- What’s This Life For
- With Arms Wide Open
- Higher
Encore:
- One Last Breath
- My Sacrifice
The production matched the intensity of the music. Pyrotechnics, towering screens, and perfectly timed lighting added a layer of spectacle without overshadowing the band’s performance.
Stapp’s vocals were strong, his energy infectious, and his moments of reflection between songs felt genuine.
As the night drew to a close, the crowd was taken “higher,” both literally and figuratively, during the encore.
The final song, My Sacrifice, left everyone buzzing with a mix of wistfulness, admiration, and joy.
Creed’s music has always been about connection between the band, their lyrics, and their fans.
This tour proves that the connection is as strong as ever.
Whether this is the start of a new chapter or a chance to relive the past, one thing is clear: Creed still has something to say, and their fans are more than ready to listen.
Review – Ricardo D. Flores
Photos – Eric Brisson
