Summer got a surge of heat inside SNHU Arena as Mammoth WVH, Daughtry, and Creed brought the sold-out Summer of ’99 Tour to Manchester, NH.
For those of us who came of age in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Creed wasn’t just another band on the radio; they were everywhere. Their songs spun constantly on Top 40 stations, blared from Discmans, and etched themselves into the soundtrack of our teenage years. Hearing “My Own Prison,” “Higher,” and “With Arms Wide Open” again inside a packed arena brought that era rushing back, with thousands of voices proving those lyrics are still impossible to forget.
Mammoth WVH took the stage first. From the first notes, it was clear this wasn’t just another warm-up act; the sheer talent of each member was undeniable, locking into a sound that was both polished and raw with energy. The band came out swinging with “Another Celebration at the End of the World” from their 2023 album Mammoth II, instantly pulling the crowd to their feet with a driving drumbeat and soaring guitars. The build on this song with the solos and high-energy chorus is contagious. From there, they charged into their brand-new single “The Spell,” followed by “Epiphany” from their 2021 album Mammoth WVH.
Each track highlighted the band’s sharp musicianship and Wolfgang Van Halen’s commanding vocals. They closed with “The End,” the title track from their upcoming album, due out in October, leaving the arena buzzing. It was a short but electrifying set, proof that Mammoth WVH isn’t just carrying a legendary name, but actively defining their own path in modern rock.
Daughtry took the stage next, delivering a set that proved just how much staying power the band still holds, nearly two decades into their career. They opened with “The Reckoning” and “The Day I Die,” both from their 2021 album Dearly Beloved, setting a dark and powerful tone before surprising the crowd with a cover of Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).” Chris Daughtry’s vocals soared through the arena, carrying both grit and polish as the band leaned into the song’s anthemic punch.
The set then shifted into familiar territory with “Pieces” from Cage To Rattle (2018) and “It’s Not Over” from their 2006 debut Daughtry, both greeted with deafening sing-alongs. One of the most intimate moments came when Chris stepped out alone with an acoustic guitar for “Home,” bringing the energy down and filling the arena with cell phone lights that sparkled like stars.
When the band performed the hit “The Dam,” the stage was washed in rising blue lights, giving the effect of water rushing upward as the music swelled. “Over You” followed, with fans belting the chorus louder than the speakers themselves. Before launching into “Heavy Is The Crown,” Chris paused to explain the heart of the song: “This one is about the struggles we all face when we decide to break away from the path others expect of us. There’s always someone who thinks they know you better than you know yourself, but you have to find your own voice and your own identity.” The crowd erupted, and, as the band kicked in, the weight of the words matched the power of the performance.
Chris never let the energy dip for long, pulling the crowd deeper into the moment. At one point, he called out, “Not only do I want to see how loud you can get, I want to show Creed how loud Manchester can get.” The roar that followed carried through the rafters, setting up the finale. They closed with “Artificial,” a brooding, high-energy finish that cemented the band’s ability to balance emotion with arena-ready fire.
Daughtry’s performance was both nostalgic and forward-looking, reminding the crowd why their early hits became staples while proving their newer material carries just as much weight. Chris Daughtry’s presence was commanding, his words resonated, and Manchester matched him every step of the way.
Daughtry heads out on a co-headlining tour with Seether this fall, alongside the release of Shock To The System (Part 2) on September 12.
The crowd was already running hot after back-to-back sets from Mammoth WVH and Daughtry, the volume stuck at a ten, and the energy primed for Creed. With only two dates left on the Summer of ’99 Tour, you would never have guessed they were nearing the finish line. As the band tore into “Bullets” from their 2001 album Weathered, what stood out immediately was the sheer positivity radiating from the stage. Each member looked genuinely happy to be there, smiling and feeding off one another as they played, a chemistry that set the tone for the rest of the night.
From there, Creed dug deep into their catalog, rolling through “Ode” and “Torn” from their 1997 debut My Own Prison before cranking the energy higher with “Are You Ready?” from Human Clay (1999). The set moved seamlessly into “Never Die” and the title track, “My Own Prison.” Before launching into it, frontman Scott Stapp paused to reflect, telling the crowd that anyone can change where they are in life, that the beauty is in knowing we can always start fresh and begin again. For him, “My Own Prison” was a reminder of where he once was and how far he has come. The moment carried a weight that resonated through the arena, turning the song into more than nostalgia; it became a statement of growth and redemption.
“What If?” brought guitarist Mark Tremonti to the center of the stage, where he took the mic and told the crowd that whoever went the craziest during the next song would win his stage-played guitar. What followed was pure chaos in the best way: mosh pits opened, fans jumped in unison, and the arena shook as thousands shouted every lyric back at the band. It was a moment that pushed the energy into overdrive and pulled the entire crowd deeper into the show.
When the song ended, Tremonti slowed the pace to share a message about inspiration, speaking about how important it is to pass the torch to the next generation of musicians. He then made good on his promise, choosing a young teen girl from the crowd to receive the guitar. The gesture brought the arena to its feet again, a mix of cheers and awe at witnessing such a rare and generous moment.
The night was filled with massive sing-alongs, as fans embraced the past and carried it into the present. Songs like “One,” “What’s This Life For,” “With Arms Wide Open,” and “Higher” turned the arena into a choir, with Scott often stepping back to let the crowd’s voice take the lead.
The night ended beautifully with “My Sacrifice.” Scott sang the opening line and then let the crowd take over. It was an overpowering moment in the sold-out venue. As the guitars built and the band came crashing back in, fire shot up from the stage, sending the energy even higher. At the end, Stapp had the crowd sing the chorus one more time as sparklers rained down from the rafters and thousands of voices joined together in the culmination of the night. It was emotional, powerful, and for many, tear-inducing, a finale that perfectly captured what Creed’s return means to their fans.
The sky feels limitless as Creed builds on the foundation they laid more than 20 years ago. The band has acknowledged they’re working to find a balance between Creed and the other projects that kept them busy during their years apart, but for both the fans and the musicians, this reunion is the one we all needed. Whatever comes next, the future looks bright, and we’re ready to see where Creed goes from here.
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