Creed ended this leg of their “Are You Ready?” tour in Orlando, Florida at the Kia Center, home of the Orlando Magic, on December 5, 2024. It was a hometown show, with a house full of long-time fans in support and celebration of the highly successful return of one of the greatest rock and roll bands in history. Local radio station WJRR was on hand to promote the show. DJ Supa Dave was able to fulfill a vow he had made a quarter century earlier at an Earthday Birthday festival and introduce the band. 3 Doors Down was the direct support, as they had been for the “Summer of ’99” tour which hit amphitheaters across the country, performing over 50 shows together this year. Mammoth WVH featuring Wolfgang Van Halen opened the show.
Mammoth WVH is no stranger to the Creed family. Both Wolfgang Van Halen and drummer Garrett Whitlock were members of Mark Tremonti’s solo band Tremonti for a few years. They have also toured with Alter Bridge. It was a fantastic treat to have such a talented band as the opener for this run. With only 3o minutes to play, the band kept it tight and cruised through 3 songs from each of their first 2 albums. They are excellent performers and continue to grow as a live act. Wolfgang absolutely crushes as a vocalist and truly shines when he solos. Overall, they were some of the best openers you could ever hope to see, and they will surely one day be headlining arenas such as this.
Mammoth WVH:
Wolfgang Van Halen – Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Jonathan Jourdan – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Garrett Whitlock – Drums
Ronnie Ficarro – Bass
Mammoth WVH Setlist:
1. Like A Pastime
2. Another Celebration At The End Of The World
3. You’re To Blame
4. Distance
5. Take A Bow
6. Don’t Back Down
3 Doors Down is a headlining band on its own and they were given a full hour to fit in as many of their hit songs as they could in their slot. Vocalist Brad Arnold noted that Creed had been the first band to take them on a nationwide tour, and it was surreal to be back playing with them almost a quarter century later.
Their songs are emotional and powerful, and the crowd was singing along loudly throughout the set. Arnold took a few minutes in the middle of the set to share with the crowd. He observed that the apps on our phones are a constant reminder that we are not good enough and don’t have enough. He cautioned us to ignore those messages and to know that we are good enough, as we are. He said that Jesus loved us, just as he had loved his “buddies” back in the day. This led to “Away From The Sun”, which he noted as his favorite song. They later played a brand new song “Never Look Down”, which was outstanding, proving that they could still write inspirational music. The band was clearly appreciative of the opportunity to tour with Creed and to still be connecting with fans after all this time.
3 Doors Down:
Brad Arnold – Lead Vocals
Chris Henderson – Rhythm and Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Greg Upchurch – Drums
Chet Roberts – Lead and Rhythm guitar, Backing Vocals
Justin Biltonen – Bass
3 Doors Down Setlist:
1.Train
2. It’s Not My Time
3. Loser
4. Duck and Run
5. Here Without You
6. Let Me Go
7. Away From the Sun
8. The Road I’m On
9. Never Look Down
10. Landing in London
11. Kryptonite
12. When I’m Gone
After the stage was cleared of all of the opening acts gear, a massive setup was revealed, with 5 large video screens in the back and a swirling light display above. There were lights on the stage, facing in all directions throughout the night, and enough fire blasts to warm up the entire Kia Center on a chilly night in Orlando, Florida. Creed appeared out of the darkness to thunderous roars, which were repeated after every single song they played.
Vocalist Scott Stapp is at the top of his game. He looks great, he sounds perfect and he is having the time of his life delivering his positive messages through these timeless classics. He spoke often about the inspiration for many of the tunes, always encouraging the audience to keep their faith and look for the good in life and in each other. Drummer Scott “Flip” Phillips was set up high towards the back, and often resembled the Wizard of Oz, with green lighting and bursts of flame behind him. Bassist Brian Marshall roamed the stage, interacting with his bandmates and the crowd, often with a big smile on his face. Rhythm guitarist Eric Friedman (also a member of Tremonti band) was in full metal mode, head banging and swinging his long hair. Mark Tremonti continues to show why he is one of the most respected and admired guitarists and songwriters around. His easy transition from beautiful finger-picking melodies to crunchy riffs to soaring solos is a joy to experience. On this tour, he has been giving away a guitar to a fan after playing a song, and he spotted a young man and his friend up in the seats giving it their all and invited them down to the stage to receive their gift.
Tremonti was sporting a T-shirt promoting “SMILE with Stella – Tremonti Down Syndrome Clinic”, a venture inspired by his daughter Stella, in cooperation with AdventHealth for Children and National Down Syndrome Society. With the show happening on a weeknight and lasting four hours, some people were seen leaving after hearing “With Arms Wide Open” and “Higher”, which are megahits and could certainly be the final songs played. However, Creed was not done yet, as they returned to the stage for an encore, playing “One Last Breath” and “My Sacrifice”. Stapp had the crowd begin “My Sacrifice” as Tremonti gently strummed along, making for one last powerful moment of connection between fans and the band.
As the lights came on, the video board revealed that the “Summer of ’99” tour would be returning in 2025. With another Creed Cruise set for spring, an upcoming appearance at Stagecoach Festival, and two New Year’s Eve shows in Las Vegas, this proved to be not the end for Creed, but only another chapter in a story that will continue to unfold.
Creed:
Scott Stapp: Lead Vocals
Mark Tremonti: Lead Guitar, Backing and Occasional Lead Vocals
Scott Phillips: Drums, Percussion
Brian Marshall: Bass
Eric Friedman: Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Creed Setlist:
1.Bullets
2. Freedom Fighter
3. Torn
4. Are You Ready?
5. Never Die
6. My Own Prison
7. What If
8. Say I
9. Unforgiven
10. Inside Us All
11. One
12. What’s This Life For
13. With Arms Wide Open
14. Higher
Encore:
15. One Last Breath
16. My Sacrifice
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Johnnie Crow is a lifelong music lover. He has photographed artists from every genre at concerts, festivals and cruises all across North America.
