JESS BECK | Go Venue Magazine
I’ve waited since 1999 for this exact moment that just occurred before my eyes, and my teenage self can honestly say that it was well worth the wait! On Saturday, August 17th at Treasure Island Amphitheater, headliners Creed, along with special guests 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven brought an air of nostalgia that’s been sorely missed in recent concerts here in Minnesota!
First off, this was my first time out at Treasure Island. This place is MASSIVE! It’s like Stir Cove on steroids – it’s incredible! But more on that later.
Finger Eleven was up first, and those motherfuckers absolutely stole the show with their um…with whatever the hell you’d call their guitar players. I am half convinced that they found these two guys in the deep woods somewhere in an exotic land and their natural powers led them to pick up stringed instruments. Or they’re gods of some sort. I have no idea, but to watch James Black and Rick Jackett throw those things around and catch them mid-note and not miss a beat was fuckin’ WILD! I’d never seen anything quite like that before, so if you get the chance to see Finger Eleven on tour at any point in your life – this is your sign to not miss ’em! They’re such nice dudes, and they put on one hell of a show!
Fan favorites included “Paralyzer,” “One Thing,” and “Above.”
Next up was 3 Doors Down, a band that I remember vividly from my childhood. I remember them being on the radio when I would be at the pool with my friends, or while we played basketball in my driveway. “Kryptonite” was one of my favorite songs of the early 2000s, so to hear it live was absolutely incredible. I have to be honest, I didn’t have Brad Arnold doing an alter call on my bingo card for 2024, but I will say that his voice doesn’t seem to have aged as time has gone on. Personally, I think they sounded great, and it was cool to see one of the bands that got me into rock music live for the first time.
Crowd favorites included “It’s Not My Time,” “Here Without You,” and “Kryptonite.”
And then, of course, Creed came out to quite the fanfare.
Que the lights!
Que the FIRE!
Scott Stapp and crew were received with…arms wide open…if you will (and also to thunderous applause)! If you’ve never heard 17 thousand humans screaming their lungs out at the same time, it’s certainly a unique experience! But they deserved every bit of it. Stapp sounded amazing (even if his mic was a little muted), and he looked like he had put in some work to keep up with the rigors of tour life again. I’ll just say it – the guy looked and sounded amazing! I’m glad he’s got the chance to redeem himself and is back with one of the most iconic bands of all time.
Fan favorites included “Are You Ready,” “Higher,” “My Own Prison,” “Arms Wide Open,” and “My Sacrifice.”
Between the pyro, the incredible lighting, the fan participation, and the guitar giveaway mid-show, this was probably one of the most entertaining shows I’ve been to in quite some time!
Creed put on a hell of a show, and hopefully we’ll get some new music from them here soon! I’m not even kidding when I say that this is probably the best lighting set up I’ve ever seen, and it was an absolute joy to work with something so fancy. As always, a huge thank you to the staff – you made this newcomer feel welcome right off the bat, so hopefully it’s not the last time we see each other!
Please continue to wear deodorant to your shows, tip your bartenders well, and wash your hands if you go to the bathroom! Love y’all – we’ll see ya at the next show!
Creed
3 Doors Down
Finger Eleven
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