Creed’s Summer of ’99 cruise boarded in Miami on Friday (April 18th), and the reunited band didn’t waste any time delivering their first concert in 12 years. Scott Stapp and company rocked a 16-song set for the thrilled passengers.
The band — featuring original members Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips, Brian Marshall, along with touring guitarist Eric Friedman — opened the set appropriately with the song “Are You Ready?” They proceeded to play favorites such as “Torn,” “My Own Prison,” “Weathered,” and “Faceless Man.”
The main set ended with the one-two punch of the sing-along anthems “With Arms Wide Open” and “Higher,” after which Stapp led the crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday” for Tremonti, who turned 50 years old today. The band then returned for an encore of “One Last Breath” and “My Sacrifice.”
When it was all said and done, the show proved to be a cathartic experience for both the fans and Creed themselves, especially Stapp. The crowd waited 12 years for this moment, and all of that energy was unleashed in every word that was sung back to the band.
The performance marked Creed’s first concert since December 2012, when they wrapped up a tour in support of their 2009 album Full Circle, which came after their first reunion following their breakup in 2004.
After setting sail from Miami, the Summer of ’99 cruise will visit Nassau, Bahamas, before returning to Miami on April 22nd. Among the other bands on the cruise are 3 Doors Down, Buckcherry, Tonic, Vertical Horizon, Fuel, and more.
Five days later (April 27th), Creed will embark on the Summer of ’99 and Beyond cruise from Orlando. That lineup will feature Daughtry along with several of the bands from the first cruise.
Fans who aren’t hitting the high seas with Creed can catch the band on their multi-leg North American reunion tour. A summer outing with support from 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven will be followed by a fall jaunt featuring 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH. Tickets for both legs are available here.
Heavy Consequence photojournalist Liz Ramanand is on the Summer of ’99 cruise, and captured photos and video of Creed’s first concert in 12 years. See the pics and clips below, followed by the setlist.
Photo Gallery: Creed play first concert in 12 years on Summer of ’99 Cruise (click to expand and scroll through):
.@Creed play first show in 12 years on Summer of ’99 cruise. pic.twitter.com/c5CPuTiXbR
— Heavy Consequence (@heavyconsequenc) April 19, 2024
More @Creed rocking their first show in 12 years on the Summer of ’99 cruise: pic.twitter.com/NHMLc9QlmY
— Heavy Consequence (@heavyconsequenc) April 19, 2024
Crowd serenades @MarkTTremonti on his 50th birthday during @Creed‘s first show in 12 years, on board the Summer of ’99 cruise: pic.twitter.com/4SLsLyG9Ue
— Heavy Consequence (@heavyconsequenc) April 19, 2024
Setlist:
Are You Ready?
Bullets
Torn
My Own Prison
What If
Never Die
Say I
Weathered (First time since 2002)
Overcome
Faceless Man
One
What’s This Life For
With Arms Wide Open
Higher (w/ Happy Birthday to Mark Tremonti afterward)
Encore:
One Last Breath
My Sacrifice