Creed's SCOTT STAPP On Viral Revival: 'It Started Online Before We Even Noticed'

Summary

• Scott Stapp says Creed’s viral comeback began online, before the band even realized it was happening.
• Old hits like Higher gained new life through TikTok, sports events, and meme culture.
• Over 80% of 2024 tour tickets were bought by fans under 35, sparking talk of new music.

Scott Stapp says the Creed reunion didn’t start with a grand plan or a flashy PR campaign. It began with the internet doing its thing.

In a recent interview (via Meltdown), the singer explained that the band started to see signs of renewed interest around 2020, when clips, memes, and jokes about Creed started to go viral.

At first, it was a background hum. Then it became something louder.

“We began having conversations in 2020 when we started to notice this kind of viral thing happening organically online,” Stapp said. “I just felt at the time, I didn’t wanna rush it. I wanted it to be real.”

That online buzz eventually led to real-life momentum. Creed officially reunited in 2023, announcing a pair of themed cruises and launching a full-scale tour in 2024. Stapp credits the online wave with opening the door to all of it.

TikTok jokes, sports anthems, and a new fanbase

Creed’s music didn’t just show up in nostalgic playlists. Their songs became part of trending TikToks and viral videos. The band’s 1999 hit “Higher” found new life as a rallying anthem for the Texas Rangers, who used it throughout their 2023 World Series run. The song also appeared in a Paramount+ Super Bowl ad and a NASCAR Daytona 500 campaign.

Rather than laugh it off or dismiss the memes, the band leaned in. And it paid off. According to Stapp, more than 80% of tickets sold for Creed’s 2024 shows went to people under the age of 35.

“We have a whole new generation of fans,” he said. “Most of them weren’t even born when we broke up.”

Not a reunion for nostalgia’s sake

Stapp made it clear that the decision to come back wasn’t about cashing in. For him, the timing had to feel right. The band’s internal conversations were cautious, with everyone wanting to make sure hearts and minds were in the right place.

“I didn’t want to just throw something together,” he said. “I wanted it to be authentic.”

Once they got into a room again, something clicked. Stapp described the vibe during rehearsals as filled with support and positivity. After years of solo projects, personal struggles, and ups and downs, the reunion felt different, more grounded.

Still early days, but the spark is real

Creed has not released new music yet. But Stapp says the band is discussing it. Touring together has rekindled the connection, and there’s interest in keeping the momentum going.

“When that day comes, I think it’ll be better than anything we’ve ever done,” he said.

For now, the band is enjoying their second wind, one built not by industry execs or radio hits, but by fans with smartphones and a sense of humor. It’s a revival that snuck up on everyone, including the band itself.

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