AUGUST 16th 2025
CREED: END OF SUMMER 99 TOUR

Review by Richard Steven Hensey
Photos by Peter Ruttan

Photo Gallery http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/summer-of-99-tour/

Saturday night, was the night when in Vancouver at Rogers Arena was filled with nostalgia, anticipation, and electrifying post grunge rock—Creed's "Summer of ’99" tour stopped in and the sold-out 19,000 plus arena delivered the memories and the energy in 1999 fashion. As the doors opened and the fans entered the arena, there was a collective buzz which was in the air—this was not just another concert; it was a throwback to late-’90s post-grunge glory. The evening was a powerful journey through the heights of late-’90s and early-2000s rock, which delivered across three compelling acts. For fans young and old who’ve held onto those anthemic melodies for decades this was the night that would go down as a night to remember.

Mammoth started the night at 7:00pm sharp as lead founder Wolfgang Van Halen and band mates got Vancouver’s crowd into cheers erupted not just for the novelty of his lineage, but for the great guitar substance on display. Wolfgang led with a sense of purpose. While the name Van Halen carries an undeniable weight, Wolfgang has consistently shown that Mammoth is his project, his sound, and his vision. With solid songwriting and the infectious enthusiasm of a confident newcomer, Mammoth set a high bar to start the evening, proving that Wolf isn’t merely trading on legacy—he’s crafting his own path. Mammoth delivered a set brimming with great energy, slick guitar work, and a voice claimed plenty of admiration for the Vancouver fans.

Canadian rock veterans Big Wreck took the stage. Frontman Ian Thornley and his band brought a level of emotional depth and polished musicianship that stood in sharp, welcome contrast to the raw energy that preceded them. Immediately the band tapped into the well of memory that runs deep for longtime fans. Ian Thornley’s signature tremolo-drenched guitar tone cut through the arena, instantly recognizable and unmistakably Big Wreck. On tracks like “The Oaf” and “Albatross,” his delivery was haunting, bringing a reflective weight to lyrics that have aged alongside the audience. The crowd, many of whom both young and old have been following the band since the late ’90s, sang along with full-throated abandon. From that point forward, the tone was set: part communal singalong, part display of world-class musicianship from all musicians. Thornley easily shifted from soul-stirring falsettos to a full-throttle roar, demonstrating a dynamic range as Canada’s most distinctive rock voices.

For nearly two decades, Creed seemed destined to live in the past but tonight Creed proved that their blend of post-grunge power and spiritual intensity can still electrify an packed arena in the present tense. As the opening riff of “Bullets” tore through the arena, and pyrotechnics sore behind the kit the crowd erupted, arms raised in unison. Iconic frontman Scott Stapp, emerged ripped stepping into the spotlight in full command, his baritone instantly commanding. Beside Stapp, guitarist Mark Tremonti anchored the set with heavy riffs with his guitar tone gave songs like “What If” and “Are You Ready?” their grinding weight, while his melodic lines added texture and lift. Bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips locked in with precision, propelling the band with a tightness that belied their years apart. Creed reminded fans that their music was never just 90's radio filler—it was built for arenas of today, for moments of release and connection with them and the fans. Their return carried a sense of vindication, a proving ground for a band once dismissed as relics but now standing tall in front of sold-out crowds. For fans longing to reclaim the emotional heft of late-'90s rock, this show fully delivered.