November’s packed concert at Van Andel Arena surprised many with what rolled out as of rock fans’ favorite shows of the year. Revisit the Local Spins review, photo gallery and set lists.
Emotion and Uplifting Messages: Scott Stapp of Creed on stage Tuesday night. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Every December, Local Spins counts down its top music stories of the year. Today, we’re at No 15, revisiting a jam-packed concert at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena starring Creed, Three Doors Down and Mammoth WVH. Scroll down for photos and set lists.
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Lead singer Scott Stapp described Creed’s nearly two-hour set on Nov. 19 — delivered to a packed house at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena — as “a journey of the human experience told through music.”
And as advertised, Stapp spent part of the night discussing topics such as suicide prevention, retaining one’s childlike spirit and overcoming life’s struggles.
Creed’s music serves as a message to keep fighting and pushing through difficult times, Stapp asserted at one point, just before the band launched into the sentimental track, “Don’t Stop Dancing,” a song the Florida-bred, post-grunge group hadn’t yet played on its “Are You Ready? Tour.”
The Spectacle: It includes plenty of pyro and rock accouterments. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
Both opening bands also carved out time in their sets to express meaningful tenets.
Singer Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down took a moment to affirm and encourage the crowd while describing “Away From the Sun,” a song about losing yourself during dark times.
“You are enough. You have always been enough,” he told concertgoers. “I identify with this song more than any of our other songs.”
The Mississippi rock band packed its hour-long set with hits that included “Here Without You” and “Kryptonite,” which garnered especially loud roars of approval from the crowd. The group also shared their gratitude toward Creed for being the first band to ever take them on tour 25 years ago.
Los Angeles rockers Mammoth WVH, led by guitarist and vocalist Wolfgang Van Halen, kicked the night off on a high note with heavy guitar riffs while also dedicating a song to those who have lost someone they love.
ROCK SHOW ANTICS, A GUITAR GIVEAWAY & PASSIONATE SING-ALONGS
It was a night of heartfelt sentiments and positive messages from all three bands, but the night didn’t lack for any of the rowdy rock show antics that were to be expected.
Pyrotechnics and flashing strobe lights were plentiful throughout Creed’s set, with Stapp’s seemingly endless supply of energy reflected back by the audience.
‘Away From the Sun’: 3 Doors Down singer Brad Arnold. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
At one point, guitarist Mark Tremonti announced he would be giving away a guitar to the fan who rocked out the hardest during the song, “What If?”
Fans wasted no time showing off their excitement, even attempting to crowd surf a trash can across the pit. With many fans up on friends’ shoulders, headbanging and finger pointing in unison, Tremonti eventually declared enthusiastic devotee Cynthia the winner of the guitar and promptly brought her up on stage to claim her prize and meet the band.
By the end of Creed’s set, the crowd only seemed to have gained more momentum — fired up and ready to sing along to the band’s biggest hits to date. Fans belted out “With Arms Wide Open” and “One Last Breath” with such passion that Stapp paused his singing to let the crowd’s voices fill the arena.
Even after taking their final bow, band members were reluctant to leave the stage, interacting with as many fans as they could and sending paper airplanes made from set lists into the crowd as a final goodbye.
PHOTO GALLERY: Creed, 3 Doors Down, Mammoth WVH at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Anthony Norkus
SET LIST: Creed at Van Andel Arena
Setlist.fm
SET LIST: 3 Doors Down at Van Andel Arena
Setlist.fm
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