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“CREED” reads white on black on the visuals screen, flashing on, then off. It builds in pace until the crowd catches on and starts chanting “CREED! CREED! CREED!” A pretty clever way of getting the crowd pumped.
Staying pumped? Leave that not just to singer Scott Stapp, but the entire band who looked excited throughout to be playing their first tour in 12 years. They’re back, with an arena-ready set, staging and attitude.
The band has “suffered” use of their material for years for somewhat disrespectful internet memes, but they’ve been resurrected with the Texas Rangers’ use of their songs pre-game last year, and, ultimately, they have a lot of really good songs that people like. And a new generation as well, as more than half the hands in the audience rose for those attending a Creed concert for the first time.
The setlist is included below, but Stapp stages them largely as a spiritual journey, struggling with adversity such as alcoholism, depression and suicide.
Rough quote: “When I crisis happens, I’ll bet that everyone of you in a crisis cry out to your maker, your creator. Oh my God! Oh God! Embrace it my friends. Not trying to press anything on ya just trying to make you think.”
Staff has said many times that the band is not a Christian band, but as of three months ago, he literally wears Jesus on his sleeve in the form of a tattoo. Maybe his thoughts have changed? Been hardened by experience? “Weathered” followed.
“We’re built as humans to need help. That’s what this life is about!” “One” followed. And so on.
The band rocked. The staging and lights rocked. The audience rocked and sang along often. The photos pretty well demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm of the band.
Miss them? They’ll be returning to State Farm Arena on Dec. 4th “with an entirely new show.”
Setlist:
Encore:
3 Doors Down performed a rather perfunctory opening set until mid-way through their show. Until then singer Brad Arnold was the only visual highlight, moving about the stage and regularly thanking the audience so much for the being fans and the life given to the band.
In keeping with the spiritual theme later maintained by Creed, Arnold was more direct, “Repeat after me: I am the one that Jesus loves. Amen, my friends. Thank you so much. While an acquaintance was bewildered, at best, about such a proclamation to an audience of unknown beliefs, it didn’t stop most from repeating the same. Jesus was never politically correct, and it’s satisfying that in an age are so vocally for this and against that, a rocker dared to upset the norm.
From “Never Look Down” through “Kryptonite” and “When I’m Gone,” the band came alive with the supporting members appearing more interested in at least showing they were having fun. Arnold remains in great voice, and the songs sounded great.
Setlist:
