You should’ve been there on a Sunday evening banging your head…
Seriously, you should’ve been there! On Sunday, August 24, Creed played a sold-out show at Heritage Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, near the tail end of their Return of the Summer of ’99 Tour.
As soon as it was announced, I knew this was a must-see show for me—not only because of the stacked lineup but also because Creed’s last tour left a lasting impression. I was blown away by the production and the energy of the band. They looked and sounded phenomenal. This time was no different.
But first, let’s start from the beginning of the night…
Mammoth WVH, fronted by Wolfgang Van Halen, kicked things off. With only a six-song set, they still packed a punch, pulling tracks from each album—including songs from the upcoming album, The End, due October 24!
From his debut solo tour to opening for Creed, Wolfgang has grown into a remarkable performer. Now, we truly get to see more of his personality and talent shine through.
And he isn’t the only one. Each member—Frank Sidoris (lead guitar), Jon Jourdan (rhythm guitar), Garrett Whitlock (drums), and Ronnie Ficarro (bass)—brought their own energy to the stage. It was a true treat to watch, from one side of the stage to the other.
Daughtry followed with an emotionally charged 10-song set, showcasing his vocal clarity and dynamic delivery. The performance felt raw and heartfelt, and the audience was fully engaged—lights shining, fans swaying along to every note.
The band delivered a strong mix of fan favorites along with a memorable Journey cover. I’ve got to give credit to Daughtry for not only honoring music outside his own style but also putting his own spin on it.
With openers as strong as Mammoth and Daughtry, the bar was set high—and Creed delivered even higher.
The band walked out with the full original lineup—Scott Stapp (vocals), Mark Tremonti (lead guitar), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums)—plus Eric Friedman on touring rhythm guitar.
The excitement was palpable.
Even if you’re not a devoted Creed listener, you quickly realize how many of their songs you know. And even when you don’t, you’re still captivated—by their sheer musical talent and the impressive production. We’re talking massive visuals, dazzling lights, pyro—the works.
Though the tour was winding down, the band’s energy felt at an all-time high as they powered through an incredible setlist that took the crowd on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Scott Stapp’s vocals were crisp and commanding. Look to the side, and there’s a smiling Mark Tremonti absolutely shredding. A pair we’re glad to see reunited.
Then came one of the moments we had all been waiting for: Higher. The crowd echoed every word, and it felt like every single person in that arena was singing at the top of their lungs.
As the song ended, the roar was deafening.
“CREED! CREED! CREED!” the crowd chanted.
The band returned for an encore with My Sacrifice. But this time, instead of Scott leading, the crowd took the reins. Couples swayed together, arms wrapped around each other, and voices lifted as one. It was a beautiful moment to close out the night and a reminder of how music truly brings people together.
Crowd participation was at an all-time high from start to finish. Creed didn’t even need to ask for it. The people were glad Creed is back.
