SUMMER OF ’99 AND BEYOND FESTIVAL

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Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival

Live at Glen Helen Amphitheater

September 11, 2024 Review by Matt Martinez

I have heard the statement “fads always repeat themselves every 20 years” for my entire life, but I’m only now getting to an age where I can actively see it happen right in front of my eyes. It’s especially noticeable in the music industry as we see the resurgence of nu metal. One band in particular that is getting a huge resurgence thanks to their reunion announcement is Creed. Though they may have been considered the butt of many jokes back in the day, over the last 20 years, more and more musical gatekeepers have come out with appreciation for the band.

Now that Creed is on their first tour in 12 years, they decided to make it extra special for Southern California by booking the 65,000 capacity Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, and turning it into an all-day festival featuring eight other bands.

It was 99 degrees, which may have not been comfortable, but complimented the tour titled the Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival.

Even though Glen Helen is located in the desert of San Bernardino, where the temperature can get blistering hot, with very little places to find shade, fans were getting into the parking lot before 10 a.m. The doors did not open until 1 p.m., yet fans were lining up to get in and mark their territory on the barricade.

The day’s openers were bands that could headline on their own – all mega stars of the ‘00s rock scene. The Verve Pipe – clad in white outfits – got people dancing to “The Freshman” and amped up for the music that was to come.

Vertical Horizon helped the fans rock through the blazing heat thanks to “You’re a God” and “Everything You Want.”

Dorothy’s blues rock and witchy vibes created a whole new atmosphere courtesy of “Rest in Peace” and “Gifts From the Holy Ghost.

Fuel should have had a longer set, but still had time to reignite the passion for the music with “Shimmer” and “Hemorrhage (in My Hands).”

Finger Eleven’s eclectic live show captivated more people than possibly any other band, and it included their mega hit, “Paralyzer.”

And Hinder – who has completely embraced the “Dad Rock” moniker – performed with heart, soul, and no shame with “Lips of an Angel” included.

As the sun started to fade and allow us to enjoy some much needed shade, Daughtry took the stage. I have always heard great things about this band, and I was looking forward to finally experiencing this band helmed by Chris Daughtry.

He has a beautifully-enchanting voice and as he sang, I could not help but be captivated by his vocal talents.

But it was the cover of Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” that had every person in the crowd singing along with the band. After this it was smooth sailing for Daughtry.

Fans were fully invested with the rest of their set, which included “The Reckoning,” “Changes Are Coming,” “It’s Not Over,” “Change (In the House of Flies),” “Pieces,” “Heavy is the Crown,” and “Artificial.”

The penultimate band has been the consistent touring friends on the Summer of ’99 tour with every stop: 3 Doors Down. The stage was lined with wall-to-wall LED screens that illuminated the area and projected imagery along with the songs, and the fans cheered loudly when the band opened with “Train.”

Vocalist Brad Arnold had his pinky finger bandaged after almost losing it two days prior to this show, but if he had any pain, he channeled into the performance.

The passion was evident in his face as he sang each song.

Though I have always known 3 Doors Down for “Kryptonite,” I never realized how many hits they are responsible for. Throughout their set, I found myself singing along and it gave me a whole new level of respect for the band.

For the fans that have followed 3 Doors Down better than I, this was a very cherished performance that featured “It’s Not My Time,” “Loser,” “Duck and Run,” “Here Without You,” “The Road I’m On,” “Landing in London,” and of course “When I’m Gone.”

Before our headliners could take the stage, Creed wanted to build suspense. Their name flashed on the LED screens for 10 minutes while wind noises bellowed across the venue.

This seemed to ramp the crowd up even more and they nearly exploded when the band took the stage, opening with “Bullets.”

Vocalist Scott Stapp was incredible! Having never seen him perform live before, I was in awe of his stage presence. From gyrating his hips all around the stage when vibing with the music, to how much love he showed in his performance.

Stapp appeared ecstatic to perform these songs again with his bandmates. He would constantly perform next to guitarist Mark Tremonti and bassist Brian Marshall, showing the audience the friendships have been rekindled.

Both Tremonti and Marshall happily leaned into those moments with Stapp. Drummer Scott Phillips, though stuck in the backline, was not left out as Stapp would also turn towards him as if to make sure he felt included in the performance.

Creed was not just the musical talent of the men in the band, but a theatrical show as well. There was pyro blasting 20 feet into the air, massive two-story tall LED screens projecting song visuals, and a circular lighting rig hung from the ceiling that created its own movements to the show. This was a spectacle of a musical return for the band, and the fans ate up every moment they could take in.

Creed played the hits fans have been dying to hear live again – “Are You Ready?,” “Never Die,” “My Own Prison,” “What If,” “What’s This Life For,” “With Arms Wide Open,” “Higher,” and came back for a two-song encore with “One Last Breath” and “ My Sacrifice.”

After a 12-year hiatus, you never truly know how a band is going to sound, perform, or even get along on stage. But this night proved Creed was back, and they haven’t lost a single step in knowing just how to entertain their dedicated fans.

Creed has already announced a second leg to this tour taking place in November and December, so I suggest you get to it!

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by Matt Martinez Photography

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