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Creed – Summer of ’99 Tour Lands In Halifax
What better way to close out August than with a rock show under the Halifax sky? On Saturday night, roughly 10,000 fans packed the Garrison Grounds for a nostalgia-fueled evening, ready to host Creed in Halifax the final stop of their Summer of ’99 Tour. With Daughtry and Mammoth opening the bill, the night was stacked from the very first chord.
Mammoth
Wolfgang Van Halen and his bandmates in Mammoth wasted no time setting the pace. Their set was a surge of slick guitar riffs and thunderous basslines, keeping the crowd buzzing from the moment they hit the stage. With their new album The End dropping in October, Halifax got a taste of what’s to come, capped off with the title track to close their debut in the city.
Daughtry
Next up was Daughtry, and for me, it was a full-circle moment. I still remember my mom showing me “the rocker guy” on American Idol years ago, where I first heard his cover of Fuel’s Hemorrhage. Seeing him return to the East Coast, this time from the photo pit, was surreal. His powerhouse vocals filled the Hill as he tore through a career-spanning setlist. A highlight came midway when he stripped things back for an acoustic version of Home, written after his Idol elimination and touching on themes of depression and grief. With thousands of lighters and phone flashlights glowing across the crowd, the moment was nothing short of magical.
Creed
By the time Creed took the stage, anticipation had reached its peak. For me, their music holds a special place — I first discovered them at age 12 on a road trip through the Colorado desert, Human Clay blasting through the car speakers. Hearing Bullets live in Halifax instantly transported me back to that moment.
The setlist was stacked with fan favourites, living up to the tour’s nostalgic promise. Scott Stapp’s dedication of Never Die to Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down — who’s currently facing stage 4 cancer — was heartfelt, while the giveaway of a PRS guitar during What If made for an unforgettable surprise for one lucky fan at her very first concert. From my vantage point near the top of the Hill, I could take in the sea of people — even spotting folks rocking out from their condo balconies. One fan in particular was nailing a perfect windmill headbang.
“I want to see ten thousand lights out there tonight,” Stapp called out before With Arms Wide Open, and the audience delivered, turning the Grounds into a glowing field of stars. After teasing the end with Higher, the band returned for a powerhouse encore of One Last Breath and My Sacrifice. The crowd sang so loud during One Last Breath that their voices rose above the band itself.
Final Thoughts
From start to finish, the night was a reminder of just how powerful live music can be. Mammoth, Daughtry, and Creed each brought something special, fueling a night of riffs, memories, and voices raised in unison. A massive thanks to Evenko for pulling off another unforgettable Garrison Grounds concert with Creed in Halifax.
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