Creed, enthusiastic fans soar in Washington show

The Washington Times September 02 2002

The audience at Nissan Pavilion embraced Creed with arms wide open Friday night, roaring over the noise of fireworks as the band emerged on stage between bursts of flame.

The soul-searching, Christian-leaning rock band from Florida opened with "Bullets" and "Freedom Fighter," both from from its latest hit album, "Weathered."

Lead singer and Pentacostal preacher's kid Scott Stapp proved to have far more than one last breath, belying the title of another selection culled from among the band's huge hits on rock radio. Mr. Stapp's rich, passionate voice rang out through the crowd, many of whom lifted their hands as if at a praise and worship meeting.

The energy flowing from the stage had fans shouting such exhortations as "Don't stop now" during the few brief breaks as Creed plowed through 16 songs from "Weathered" and its two predecessors, "My Own Prison" and "Human Clay," in an hour and a half.

The band performed against an elaborate backdrop of three-dimensional columns while three large video screens intercut shots of the musicians with such images as outer space and police arrests.

Mr. Stapp did not hog the spotlight, instead encouraging and urging on guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brett Hestla during some spectacular solos.

For an encore, the singer introduced a rousing "Don't Stop Dancing" by telling his loudly approving listeners that the song was being recorded on tour dates before the band picks a version for release Oct. 1 as a live single to benefit charities. As an appropriate finale, Creed then soared through "Higher" and the recent hit single "My Sacrifice" before leaving behind a mesmerized, fulfilled audience.

.Kaitlin McIntyre