Creed Chicago Theatre Review
Thursday, April 19, 2012
By Aaron Keker
CHICAGO THEATRE, Chicago – When Creed entered the stage and performed “Are You Ready?”, the Chicago Theatre audience was ready the moment the doors opened at 7:00 p.m.
Prior to the show, individuals of all ages frolicked around in their Creed swag and continued to cheer profusely for the band the entire evening.
Creed sped through Human Clay within an hour. After “Inside Us All” concluded, Creed performed six additional songs before their evening ended.
Scott Stapp shared a few story quips from “My sister inspired this song,” which was “Wash Away Those Years” to “[Creed’s] Introduction to the World” with “My Own Prison.”
Creed’s introduction to the World has been a hell of a ride. My Own Prison and Human Clay have both reached multi-platinum status. Human Clay has even reached the coveted diamond status. On June 4, 2004, Creed disbanded and Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips formed Alter Bridge with Myles Kennedy. On November 22, 2005, Scott Stapp released his solo album, The Great Divide. On April 27, 2009, Creed announced on their web site that the band had reunited. Creed has gone full circle and has returned with a higher purpose, which is to re-introduce Creed to the World.
Although Creed’s Chicago comeback on August 15, 2010 in Tinley Park was good, their Human Clay performance at the Chicago Theatre was outstanding! Creed’s decision to tour on their early album successes of My Own Prison and Human Clay might actually be one of the smartest decisions since their reconciliation. Creed can appease their older fan base while developing the younger ones.
In fact, there was shock and awe in Creed’s performance. The shock was that Scott Stapp’s vocals were so good as he belted out every high note with authority. The awe came because this was Creed’s second show and they already sounded this good. Was there a guardian angel looking over their Chicago openers?
Mark Tremonti was his usual man of many faces. Whether it is Mark’s intense look or his smirk or his head shaking as he plays the guitar, his guitar playing is the backbone of Creed’s success.
As Creed performed hit after hit “What If,” “Say I,” and “Faceless Man,” the anticipation intensified for track eight, “With Arms Wide Open” and track nine, “Higher.”
During “Higher,” Scott Stapp joined the powwow of Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, Scott Phillips and Eric Friedman on the right side of the stage. When the song concluded, the audience erupted into one of the largest ovations of the evening.
Creed performed one of the best songs from Human Clay in “Inside Us All.” If this is the first time that Creed has ever performed this song live, they need to consider incorporating it permanently on future Creed tours. The Chicago audience adored it!
Creed returned from the Earth shattering encore and rocked the remainder of the evening with “One Last Breath” and “My Sacrifice.” Creed received a standing ovation, took their bow and the evening concluded.
Creed’s Human Clay performance was one of the most memorable and unforgettable performances ever at the Chicago Theatre! It is not surprising that Creed would circle back to their roots and perform separate evenings of My Own Prison and Human Clay in its entirety. AlthoughHuman Clay is a better album than My Own Prison, you cannot dismiss My Own Prison as inferior. The album introduced the World to Creed. If Creed’s tour continues to be a smashing success, their 2012 tour could become the Best Tour of 2012.
