The 2025 season started with a bang for The Xfinity Theater in Hartford, Connecticut on Tuesday 25 July 2025. Creed headlined a stacked triple bill along with award-winning artist, Daughtry, and Mammoth featuring Wolfgang Van Halen.
The Summer Of ’99 Tour
Creed – Daughtry – Mammoth
The Xfinity Theater, Hartford, Connecticut – 25 July 2025.
Words And Photography: Jody Wilk
The return of The Summer of ’99 Tour brought almost 20,000 fans to the show on a sombre day, just hours after Ozzy Osbourne’s death had been announced. I was listening to a tribute to him on Ozzy’s Boneyard on the way to the show. All the bands gave tribute to Ozzy during their performance.
The crowd slowly made their way into the venue, and many migrated to the merch stand that was outside, along with food trucks and concession stands. Many people were enjoying frozen drinks along with a bite to eat while reuniting with friends.
On the venue’s social media pages, they were advising people to arrive early because they were expecting lots of congestion getting in and did not want anyone to miss the beginning of the show. I arrived around 4:15 pm and got right into the parking lot without any waiting. Doors opened at 5:00 and Mammoth kicked off the night at 7:00 pm.
Mammoth
Wolfgang Van Halen has been making a name for himself and has established a dedicated following. Just a few months ago, he changed the name of his band from Mammoth WVH to just Mammoth after finally acquiring the trademark to the name.
For those who don’t know, the name was his father’s and Alex Van Halen’s band name prior to forming Van Halen. Wolf’s touring lineup consists of Frank Sidoris on guitars and backing vocals, Jonathan Jourdan on guitars and backing vocals, Ronnie Ficarro on bass and backing vocals, and Garrett Whitlock on Drums and percussion. 
At 7:00 pm sharp, Mammoth hit the stage putting on a short but stellar set of songs mostly from Mammoth II, as well as a few from his latest release titled The End.
After Don’t Back Down, from his self-titled album, Wolfgang paid tribute to Ozzy.
He said that they had just found out about his death right before soundcheck and only had about three times to run through Mama, I’m Coming Home, before performing it live right here.
Wolfgang was emotionally having a rough time even talking about living in a world without Ozzy before starting the song. He asked the fans to bear with them and please sing along.
Mammoth ended their set with The End, from their forthcoming album, which is to be released on 25 October of this year.
Daughtry
Four-time Grammy Award nominee and American Idol finalist, Chris Daughtry, has come a long way since his debut on season five of American Idol.
His band, Daughtry, has released six albums and has won many awards including The Billboard Awards, American Music Awards and BMI. I cannot believe it has been 19 years since he was on Idol.
Daughtry hit the stage full of energy and passion, bringing an eleven-song set to a venue packed to the brims with fans on their feet singing along to nearly every song. The last time I remember this theater this full was at Kiss’ End Of The Road Tour a couple years ago.
Aside from playing a set of mostly originals, they also did a few covers. First was Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey, a song that Chris has recorded with Lzzy Hale of Halestorm.
I am always hoping that Lzzy will pop out from backstage at one of these shows and sing it with him. Next, Chris dedicated Home to “The Legend, Ozzy Osbourne.”
He asked the fans to get out their phones or lighters and light the place up, and they did just that. It looked as bright as day.
The current band members performing with Chris are Brian Craddock on guitar, Elvio Fernandes on keyboards, with recent additions, Marty O’Brien on bass, and new touring member Anthony Ghazel on drums.
After playing a few more of their fan favourites like Over You and Heavy Is The Crown, they ended the set with their hit Artificial, the fourth song of the night from current EP, Shock To The System (Part One).
Creed
Grammy Award-winning Creed are always one of my favourite bands to see live. Scott Stapp brings a passion to his singing and performance matched by only very few.
Although I had not followed them across the years, I certainly know their hits from hearing them on the radio, and after seeing them live a few years ago, I have become a big fan.
It is great that in a world full of negativity and hate, we have musicians like Scott pushing everyone to be positive and believe in themselves. 
Filling out this high-energy, attention-grabbing band are Mark Tremonti on guitar, Bill Marshall on Bass, Scott Philips on drums, and Eric Friedman on guitar.
Scott dedicated the fifth song of the night, Never Die, to Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down, who is fighting a battle with stage four cancer. Scott said that he never met a person who embodies what this next song is all about more than Brad.
According to an Instagram post, Brad said, “I’m doing great, fam. Almost every day, I feel a little better.”
As with almost every show, Mark Tremonti comes to the front of the stage to announce a guitar giveaway for the most enthusiastic fan during the song What If. Young future rocker, Henry, was brought up on stage and presented with the guitar for rocking out the entire show.
Creed played songs from their albums Human Clay, My Own Prison, and Weathered. It was nice to see a small setlist change from the last leg of the Summer of ’99 Tour. They added Ode and Weathered to the setlist from the last time they played Connecticut.
Their stage presentation is always amazing, adding to the ambience of the show. There was lots of pyro, much of the time dancing with the music, along with a huge circle of lights suspended above the centre of the stage, which always makes for great photos. 
Creed’s Summer of ’99 Tour continues throughout the United States until the end of August, with some dates including either Big Wreck or Sevendust in place of Daughtry.
A lot of dates are starting to sell out, so get your tickets soon.
