Creed takes Mountain View, CA back to Summer of ’99

Creed made a triumphant return to the bay on Saturday, August 9th, when they rolled through Mountain View, California’s Shoreline Amphitheater for the Summer of ’99 Tour with special guests Sevendust and Mammoth. Creed is one of those rock bands that, in my opinion, needs no introduction. Whether it’s at a sports game, a restaurant, in a television commercial, or while shopping at a grocery store, you’ve no doubt heard a Creed song playing in the background somewhere. Spanning years 1997 to 2008 with four studio albums, Creed continues to dominate airwaves and is easily one of the top American rock bands of our generation due to their numerous greatest hits that feel timeless. Songs such as “With Arms Wide Open” and “One” are just as easily relevant today as they were 20+ years ago when they were written.

Creed rallies people in hard rock solidarity, showing there is cohesion and positivity in our community. 

Hearing the roar of the 20,000 people chanting in unity with flashlights up in the air shows that even with our country divided, music holds us together. Before Creed took the stage, Wolfgang Van Halen — son of the legendary late Eddie Van Halen — opened the show with his band Mammoth. Hailed as a multi-instrumental musical prodigy and set to release his new album The End in October, Wolfie came out with confidence and style, just like his father, and demanded the attention of the audience who were starting to trickle in between 7pm and 730pm. 

Next up was Sevendust. Easily one of the most underrated bands of their time, Sevendust has been around just as long as Creed and is regarded as one of the most humble bands amongst their colleagues and fans. After witnessing their set at Shoreline, I now understand. Lead singer Lajon Witherspoon interacted with bandmates and audience members with a huge smile throughout, oozing charisma. In between songs, Witherspoon made comments about how much he loved Mountain View and how everyone was treating himself and each other with love and respect, calling it a “family reunion”, as well as stating that, “love sees no color”.  Sevendust also paid tribute to the late great Ozzy Osbourne before playing their hit song, “Waffle”. 

At 915pm, it was time to buckle up, because Creed exploded onto the stage with the opening song, “Bullets”.

The entrance featured an explosion of pyro every time lead singer Scott Stapp yelled, “Look at me!” Except for “Weathered” and “Don’t Stop Dancing”, Creed managed to play their entire Greatest Hits album — released in 2003. Growing up, my parents had that album on constant rotation, so needless to say, I was a happy camper. If you’re a Creed fan, I think you’d be more than pleased with their set, as well. Not only was the setlist superb, founding members Scott Stapp and lead guitarist Mark Tremonti were phenomenal, both in looks and sound. This summer’s tour was a continuation from last summer and I can’t express how grateful I am to Creed and their crew for bringing this stellar show to Mountain View since we missed out last year! If you’re a Creed fan and this tour is rolling through your town, don’t miss this nostalgic experience to take a trip back to the Summer of ’99. 

Photography by Katey Schoenberger

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