By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, Canada - In the second half of the 1990s, and well into the 2000s, my musical interests shifted from my grown adoration of thrash and heavy metal to a more alternative rock landscape. My favourite bands Slayer and Metallica were releasing albums like Diabolus in Musica and Load and Reload. While I stayed away from Metallica’s offerings, I didn’t hate Slayer’s brief transition into Nu-Metal, but it just wasn’t doing it for me. And the new bands on the scene like Korn and Slipknot were nothing I could sink my teeth into.
So I found myself listening to the Seattle scene more frequently, and that eventually morphed into bands like The Offspring, and Third Eye Blind. And even though they were (and are still to this day) one of the most hated bands in Pop Culture, I even grooved to the hits from Nickelback. Another band from this era was Florida’s Creed. Like Nickelback, Creed found themselves on a number of music fans’ most hated lists, despite selling millions and millions of records. But during this time in my life, I followed Creed fairly closely. I would never say I was their biggest fan by any means, but I enjoyed their music. The “chunky” guitar, and vocalist Scott Stapp’s deeper voice hooked me.
After a breakup in 2004, the band got back together again in 2009. They released their 4th studio album, and toured the world again. But this was short lived, as the band sadly broke up again in 2013. This time however, it seemed like the end. Of course, that was until 10 years later when the band announced their reunion along with the "Summer of '99 Tour". With various supporting acts throughout the tour, Creed, along with Canadian giants of this realm Big Wreck and Finger Eleven hit Toronto on July 30.
Finger Eleven
Finger Eleven is the pride of Burlington, Ontario. They first formed in 1990 and prior to the name they settled on, they were known as Rainbow Butt Monkeys. Under this name, the band won the 97.7 HTZ FM Rock Search Competition, and the rest as they say, is history!
There seemed to be a ton of anticipation at the start of this concert. Even before the doors opened, the lineup extended over the bridge that allows pedestrians to cross over the always busy Lakeshore Blvd. below. And once we were inside, there was a distinct buzz in the air. Finger Eleven got the show under way on this evening, opening with "Above" from their 1997 album Tip. And they smashed it! Guitarist Rick Jackett was crazy energized as he flung his guitar around, taking it off his shoulders, flipping it in the air, and spinning it around.
So far this summer in Toronto has been hotter than hell, and tonight was no different. The extreme humidity didn't prevent Finger Eleven from kicking some serious ass out of the gate, and even the crowd was commenting in amazement at the energy. Not only would you think they had eleven fingers, you would have swore they had 4 arms. Fantastic start to this one!
Big Wreck
We proudly (although incorrectly) hail Big Wreck as our own Canadian flesh and blood, but the reality is, the band formed in Boston in 1992. The band's front man, Ian Thornley is from right here in Toronto, however, so the Canadian moniker will stand in my eyes. I have had the distinct pleasure of catching these guys live on a few occasions, and most recently photographed a Hamilton, ON show of theirs in November 2023 for Corus Entertainment. It's always a great show, so to have them on this bill is a huge bonus for the fans.
There's a ton of chatter ahead of Big Wreck hitting the stage. A few fans in the front row hold a Canadian Flag, covered in black marker with the names of the bands on tonight's bill. They ask for a photo, which I fully oblige! They're completely gassed as everybody else seems to be.
Big Wreck hits the stage and starts their set with "Bombs Away" from their 2021 album 7.1. But things didn't seem quite right with the sound. It was actually overloaded with reverb and bass, and unfortunately, didn't sound great. During our allowed "first 3 songs" in the pit, the sound seemingly remained unchanged as the band played through "That Song" and "Locomotive". After checking my camera equipment (as a photographer, we are not allowed to bring our gear to our seats), and heading to my seat I was very happy to hear that the sound had changed quite significantly. It's the first time I ever noticed a difference like this, the further back I was. Likely, the soundman made the necessary adjustments, and the distance had nothing to do with it, but the band was loud, and they sounded great, as Ian Thornley shredded a guitar solo during their 6th track "Albatross" (one of my favs!!).
As the band closes their set, the crowd erupts at the crescendo of "Blown Wide Open", and fans are air-guitaring during "Come Again". It's a great finish after a challenging start, and they got the crowd more worked up for the headliners. Mission, accomplished!
Creed
Despite the buzz in the air, and the energy that the crowd was exuding all night, things were about to get even wilder. Ahead of the band making their appearance, their name and logo flashes up on the screen and the whole of Budweiser Stage erupted. High above the stage, a circular fixture bursts into light, and the band screams out with their opening track "Bullets". I'd say it's one of Creed's heaviest songs, and it's a killer way to start the set. Lead singer Scott Stapp is already sweating in the Toronto humidity, but he really looks cool as hell. His voice is superb, sounding nothing like a man who's been on a 10 year hiatus and the rest of the band looks and sounds just as awesome, as flames burst out of the back of the stage. The opening 3 songs, and the visual theatrics are as intense as anything I've seen. We even get crowd surfers... at a Creed show? I simply never knew... and never imagined. The crowd was on fire, the band was kicking ass, and we weren't even 15 minutes in.
Once I got back to my seat, I was happy to see that the whole venue was on their feet. By this time, the band is on their 5th track "My Own Prison" and everybody is singing. Into "What If", and the body surfers, pyrotechnics, and cryo FX continue. I rub my eyes. Am I really seeing what I think I'm seeing? I mean, shame on me I guess... but it's definitely not what I would have thought to be happening.
By about the midway point, there hasn't been a ton of interaction from Stapp, but ahead of their 11th song of the evening, he takes some time to ask the crowd if they're feeling the band. There's got to be a sly smile at this. He then shares the meaning of the next track, telling that it's about unity, and that we live in a very divided time, but that's how the powers that be want it. "When we're together, we can do anything! The only way that we can make it is to come together and have one voice!!" With this, the band starts into "One" from their debut album My Own Prison and it's a massive highlight of the night. The crowd claps. They dance. They sing. Arms in the air. Lights flash. The band comes together on stage and it's simply an amazing experience. "Oh, that was beautiful friends!" Stapp calls out. "Toronto knows how to rock!!"
Another big moment during Creed's show here was during the song "Arms Wide Open". About people wanting their kids to have better than they had, the song has always hit a string for me. Coming from a fatherless childhood, I always wanted to make sure I wasn't my father. As a father, I definitely wasn't perfect, but I also definitely wasn't my father. I'm so happy for that, but like the song states, I hope my kids can do even better. During the band's performance, the crowd again is completely right there in the moment, singing to the top of their lungs. At the end of the song, Stapp is a little speechless. "You guys gave me goosebumps during that one. I can't remember a crowd this good... ever!" While I know band's are always pumping the crowd's tires, but I stand with Creed's lead singer here. This crowd was special. I'm also not sure if I've ever seen anything quite like it.
Set List
Bullets
Torn
Are You Ready?
Never Die
My Own Prison
What If
Weathered
Overcome
Say I
Faceless Man
One
What's This Life For
With Arms Wide Open
Higher
Encore:
One Last Breath
My Sacrifice
Creed has a lot of gentler melodies, but this show was a fantastic mix of heavier moments and softer moments. Say what you will... this Toronto crowd absolutely loves these guys. As I stated off the top, I always enjoyed their music, but I have a vastly different level of respect for them after seeing this show. While it definitely will be towards the top of our "Best of 2024" list, it may possibly go down as one of the most memorable concerts I've ever seen.
If you missed this one, fear not! The band will be making their way back here in November for a show at Scotiabank Arena. I'll be there as a fan next time around. Just to soak it all in again. And I can't wait!!
Concert Photo Gallery
Creed Online
show date: July 30, 2024
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