Photos By: Lori Hynes
Written By Lori Hynes and Kerri Nelson
The third annual Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival transported fans back to the ’90s in an instant, with Limp Bizkit closing out the first day of an epic weekend celebrating nu-metal, alternative rock and hard rock.
Held over two days at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois, the festival gave longtime rock fans an opportunity not only to reminisce, but also to experience how the music has evolved since the late ’90s. Nu metal, alternative rock, and hard rock dominated the weekend, while elements of rap, hip-hop, and even some pop highlighted the genre-blending sound that helped define the era.
The nu-metal explosion defined the music scene of the late ’90s and early 2000s. The bands from that era never fit neatly into one box, often blending metal and hard rock with rap and hip-hop while also pulling influences from grunge, rock and roll, and spiritual or deeply personal themes. The style brought together the music Generation X grew up with, including hair metal and early hip-hop and grunge, with the heavier metal, alternative, mid 90s grunge, and rap sounds embraced by millennials. It was a melting pot of musical genius all coming together to bring music and generations together.
The music of the late ’90s and early 2000s has experienced a massive resurgence over the past few years. So many of us are once again getting the chance to see the bands that defined the days of our youth, with artists like Sevendust, The Verve Pipe, Bush, Creed, and Limp Bizkit touring extensively recently and drawing massive crowds. It is not only the old heads filling these venues, either. Younger generations are showing up, singing every word, and discovering the songs that shaped the rock scene decades before them. That resurgence continues to carry this music forward, influencing a new generation of artists and proving that nu metal, alternative rock, and post-grunge remain cornerstones of the modern rock industry.
Summer of ’99 began at sea in April 2024, when Creed reunited to perform together for the first time in 12 years aboard the Norwegian Pearl, sailing from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas. The cruise became a massive celebration of Creed’s return after more than a decade away. Its success helped spark the launch of the Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival on land in August 2024. Both at sea and land has saw massive success with Creed bringing along bands such as Nickleback, Three Doors Down, Daughtry, Fuel, Our Lady Peace, Lit and Live, just to name a few of the bands that have joined in previous years that shaped the 90s and 2000’s.
The third annual Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival delivered another massively packed weekend filled with bands that helped define the ’90s, including Sevendust, Cypress Hill, Limp Bizkit, The Verve Pipe, Candlebox, Bush, and Creed. The festival also continued its tradition of showcasing the newest generation of artists carrying that same energy forward, introducing fans to bands such as Slay Squad, The Pretty Wild, Magnolia Park, Ashes of Billy, and Sleep Theory.
Saturday afternoon kicked off with fans filling the parking lots of the venue only to hear that thunderstorms would delay the start of the festival. After a short delay, fans were notified it was safe to enter.
The day started off on the second stage with Slay Squad not wasting any time getting the crowd excited about the kick off of the festival. Slay Squad is everything that nu-metal is about. Merging together different music sounds to create something new and fresh. The California based band does a great job at that with being a pioneer band in the ‘ghetto metal ‘ infusing the live metal band aspect with gritty breakdowns and epic rap versus.
@slaysquad111 We just made a new genre Ghetto Metal Were on tour rite now Colorado Springs tomorrow night! #slaysquad111 #ghettometal #slipknot #knockedloose #xtreamtrap #nascaraloe #hardcore #mosh #lahardcore #fyp #black
Video from Slay Squad
Images By Lori Hynes
The Pretty Wild were up next on the second stage. Las Vegas Sisters Jyl and Jules Wylde share the job of front women and their band has been gaining a ton of momentum this year. Their sound is nu-metal core meets dark pop. Their debut album zero. point. genesis has steadily been gaining popularity with the metal community with “Paradox” being the newest single to pave the way for the album.
VIDEO FROM THE PRETTY WILD
The Pretty Wild has performed at numerous rock and metal festivals in the United States as well as internationally including Graspop Metal, Download Fest, Sonic Temple, Resurrection Fest and they still have Louder Than Life and Aftershock rock festivals coming up this year. They are a must see band to catch.
Summer of 99′ and Beyond Festival Setlist-The Pretty Wild-07/18/2026
1. Paradox
2. bLAcK oPs (m@n!a)
3. button eyes
4. living ded
5. OMENS
6. sLeepwALkeR
Images By Lori Hynes
Last up on the second stage was Magnolia Park. Magnolia Park has been extremely busy this year out on tour supporting From Ashes to New and they recently wrapped up a headlining tour with Silly Goose. They did not hold back when expressing their viewpoints of what is happening in the political climate. At one point they had everyone put their middle fingers in the air and started an “F*** Trump” chant that went on for some time. Magnolia Park played a nice mix of their songs from 2025s album, VAMP, as well as new tracks off of 2026 LP NIGHTS AFTER VAMP, but ended their set with their biggest hit, “SHALLOW.”
VIDEO FROM THE PIT AND THE PLAYLIST
Images By Lori Hynes
A major highlight of the festival was the festival did not have a single overlapping band or artist the entire weekend. Bands like Slay Squad, The Pretty Wild and Magnoila Park got fans full attention who chose to show up early for them, and fans didn’t have to make any dreaded decisions about which bands they would have to sadly miss while sprinting from one stage to the next like they have most likely had to do at other festivals.
Puddle of Mudd kicked off Saturday’s main-stage lineup, with vocalist Wes Scantlin looking like he had not aged a day since 1999. Fittingly, that was the year he reportedly snuck backstage using a fake pass and handed his demo tape to Fred Durst’s security guard. A few weeks later, Durst called Scantlin and signed Puddle of Mudd to his record label. Who could have predicted that 27 years later, Puddle of Mudd and Limp Bizkit would be sharing the same bill at a sold-out festival?
VIDEO FROM In The Loop Magazine
Puddle of Mudd formed in the early 90s but truly broke out onto the rock scene in the early 2000s with thier hit album Come Clean. The album, , reached No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and went triple platinum, while “Blurry” climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band also earned five No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart with “Blurry,” “Drift & Die,” “She Hates Me,” “Away from Me” and “Psycho.”
Video From Puddle of Mudd
Puddle of Mudd has continued creating music steadily throughout the years. In 2025, the band released its ninth studio album, Kiss the Machine, followed by the new single “Rain” in February 2026. While the band has remained busy creating new music, its festival set leaned all the way into the early 2000s. Kicking things off with “Control” from Come Clean, Puddle of Mudd powered through hit after hit before eventually closing with “She Hates Me” from the same album. It was a full-on throwback to the band’s early days.
Video From Puddle of Mudd
Summer of 99′ and Beyond Festival Setlist-Puddle Of Mud-07/18/2026
1. Control
2. Psycho
3. Famous
4. Away From Me
5. Blurry
6. She Hates Me
Images By Lori Hynes
Next up on the main stage was the all-female Canadian metal band Kittie. The band exploded onto the scene at the end of the ’90s and beginning of the 2000s, during an era dominated by the Spice Girls, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Kittie was the anti-Spice/Spears group of teenage girls. Even their name was intentionally cute and feminine, but the music and the girls persona contradicted all of that.
They were not pop stars with blonde extensions and butterfly clips in their hair, nor were they dressed in pink and covered in glitter. Instead, they took the stage in black leather, spiked collars and heavy boots. They were the complete opposite of what the music industry expected teenage girls to be. Purchasing a copy of their 2000 debut album, Spit, did not get you the polished, high-octave pop melodies of the Spears and Aguileras of the world. It gave you heavy guitars, gritty growls and piercing screams. The nu-metal scene loved it, with the breakout single “Brackish” helping push Spit to gold-certified status.
VIDEO FROM KITTIE
The band found massive success early in their career but struggled heavily throughout the 2000s. They were constantly compared to pop icons, criticized for what they wore and forced to deal with inappropriate comments from people within the industry. From members leaving the band and court battles with record labels to the death of their bassist, it has been an uphill climb back to success.
With nu-metal experiencing a major resurgence and festivals such as Summer of ’99 and Beyond introducing the era’s bands to a new generation, Kittie found themselves welcomed back by fans both old and new. In 2022, they performed their first show in five years at Virginia’s Blue Ridge Rock Festival before appearing at When We Were Young Festival later that year. It was the momentum the band needed, eventually leading to a deal with Sumerian Records and the release of Fire in 2024, their first new album in 13 years.
VIDEO FROM KITTIE
Summer of 99′ and Beyond Festival Setlist-Kittie-07/18/2026
1. Fire
2. I’ve Failed You
3. Cut Throat
4. Oracle
5. Spit
6. We Are the Lamb
7. Suck
8. Mouthful of Poison
9. Brackish
10.Eyes Wide Open
Images By Lori Hynes
Next up on the main stage was Sevendust, a fan favorite not only for their songs but for the energy they bring to every single live performance. The band is consistently out on the road, building a connection with their audience that goes far beyond the usual relationship between artists and fans. To Sevendust, their fans are family, and that sense of community has only grown stronger throughout the years. They are a band that truly needs to be experienced live.
VIDEO FROM THE PIT AND THE PLAYLIST
Their set delivered all the fan favorites while also touching on their newest album, One, with the single “Is This the Real You?” Just before launching into “Denial,” Sevendust received a surprise visit from Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, who snuck up behind lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and gave him a bit of a scare before the two frontmen embraced. It was a moment fans absolutely adored. Seeing two such iconic frontmen sharing the stage had the crowd chattering about how amazing it would be if they went out on tour together.
VIDEO FROM lizard6king6
Sevendust is gearing up for its next tour cycle, officially heading back out on the road with Theory of a Deadman and special guest Return to Dust. The Dead / Seven Tour kicks off on August 7th in Duluth, Minnesota, and continues through October 1st at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California. Throughout the co-headlining run, Sevendust and Theory of a Deadman will alternate closing duties each night.
The iconic Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, will host the tour for two consecutive nights. Theory of a Deadman will close the August 27 show, while Sevendust will take over the closing spot on August 28. Tickets are still available for the first night, while the Sevendust-closing show is officially sold out.
Sevendust and the Casino Ballroom share a very special history, making the legendary venue one of the best places to experience the band live. Fans will also have another unique opportunity to catch Sevendust when they set sail aboard the Summer of ’99 and Beyond Cruise from April 17–21, 2027, traveling from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas alongside Creed, Breaking Benjamin, Hoobastank and more.
Summer of 99′ and Beyond Festival Setlist-Sevendust-07/18/2026
1. Home
2. Denial
3. Is This the Real You
4. Crucified
5. Pieces
6. Praise
7. Rumble Fish
8. Face to Face
Images By Lori Hynes
Cypress Hill took the main stage next, shifting the festival’s heavy-rock energy toward their signature blend of funk, rock and hip-hop. Their sound created the perfect bridge into Limp Bizkit’s rap-rock style later that night. The band kicked off thier set with “How I Could Just Kill a Man” off their 1991 self titled album.
The band kept the momentum going with classics like the “Hand on the Pump” and “Shoot ’Em Up” mash-up, along with “Real Estate” from its 1991 self-titled debut album and “When the Shit Goes Down” from 1993’s Black Sunday. After all these years, Cypress Hill has stayed true to its roots, blowing up a gigantic, marijuana-smoking skeleton before launching into the Black Sunday favorite “I Wanna Get High.”
VIDEO FROM THE PIT AND THE PLAYLIST
The entire setlist stayed rooted in the ’90s and early 2000s, rolling through hit after hit while also paying tribute to fellow ’90s legends Rage Against the Machine with a cover of “Bombtrack.” Cypress Hill ultimately closed out the set with House of Pain’s “Jump Around.”
Video From Alexi Rodriguez
Cypress Hill also touched on new music with “Wacha Trucha,” featuring Hispanic rapper Alemán, from their recently released 2026 album, Dios Bendiga. Performed entirely in Spanish and infused with Latin rhythms, the album features collaborations with artists from across the Latin American rap community, celebrating both the culture and the talent shaping the genre today.
VIDEO FROM CYPRESS HILL
The project is an extension of the work Cypress Hill began with 1999’s Los Grandes Éxitos en Español, which featured some of the band’s biggest songs reimagined with Spanish lyrics. More than three decades into their career, Cypress Hill is still creating new music while remaining the same groundbreaking group fans fell in love with in the early ’90s.
Summer of 99′ and Beyond Festival Setlist-Cypress Hill-07/18/2026
1. How I Could Just Kill a Man
2. Hand on the Pump/ Shoot ‘Em Up
3. When the Shit Goes Down
4. Real Estate
5. A to the K
6. Illusions (remix)
7. I Wanna Get High
8. Dr. Greenthumb
9. Hits From the Bong
10. DJ and Percussion Solo
11. Cock the Hammer
12. Wacha Trucha
13. I Ain’t Goin Out Like That
14. Bomb Track (Rage Against The Machine Cover)
15. Can’t Get the Best of Me
16. (Rock) Superstar
17. Insane In the Brain
18. Jump Around (House of Pain Cover)
Images By Lori Hynes
The throwback nostalgia reached an all-time high as Limp Bizkit took the headlining spot on the main stage Saturday night. The band stepped out in front of a sea of fans dressed as ’90s-era Fred Durst, complete with red caps, baggy shorts and oversized shirts.
Limp Bizkit did not bother easing into the set. As Durst, Wes Borland and the rest of the band took the stage, they immediately launched into “Hot Dog,” the opening track from their 2000 album, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. Durst wore his signature baggy shorts, although he traded the famous red cap for a teal-blue one, while Borland showcased his current artistry through one of the elaborate masks and costumes he personally creates. His constantly evolving looks have become an iconic part of Limp Bizkit’s live performances, adding another layer to the commanding stage presence and incredible guitar talent he already brings to every show.
PHOTOS FROM WES BORLAND AND SEBASTIAN FLORES SAEZ
Borland broke into a Metallica riff before the band launched into “Break Stuff” from 1999’s Significant Other, sending the crowd into a frenzy right out of the gate. Limp Bizkit continued building the intensity by repeating the guitar riff leading into the bridge, stretching out the anticipation before finally letting the song explode forward. By that point, the entire crowd was off its feet, jumping, moshing and shouting every word back at the band.
VIDEO FROM ANTON SAVCHENKO
The band delivered a strong mix of fan favorites from the ’90s and 2000s, including their cover of “Faith” from Three Dollar Bill, Y’all, along with “My Generation” and “Livin’ It Up” from Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. Between songs, the screen displayed an image of Scott Stapp jumping through the air with the words “With Legs Wide Open” stretched across it. Before launching into “My Way,” Durst paused and joked, “I gotta say, Scott Stapp is very flexible. Respect.” As the song came to an end, he continued the joke by singing “With Legs Wide Open” before talking about how cool it was to be part of the festival and rock the same weekend as Creed.
They continued with “Eat You Alive” from 2003’s Results May Vary and “Rollin’” from Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water, while also making room for newer tracks such as “Dad Vibes” from their 2021 album, Still Sucks. “Dad Vibes” proves that Limp Bizkit may have gotten older, but they still know how to have a good time and laugh at themselves. Rather than trying to recreate their younger years, the band leans fully into the middle-aged dad persona while maintaining the confidence, humor and swagger that have always been part of their identity.
VIDEO FROM LIMP BIZKIT
The band jumped back in time with another fan favorite from Significant Other, “Nookie,” before continuing with “Full Nelson” from Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. For the latter, they invited two women from the crowd onto the stage, including one dressed as ’90s-era Fred Durst, complete with the signature red cap.
PHOTOS FROM SUMMER OF 99 FESTIVAL AND CHUCK BRUECKMANN
The mood became more sentimental during “Boiler” as the band paid heartfelt tribute to founding bassist Sam Rivers, who passed away in October 2025. Every member turned around to face the screen as an image of Rivers appeared behind them. For a moment, they stood frozen in time, looking up at their longtime bandmate as the crowd began clapping and chanting, “Sam Rivers forever.” It was a powerful moment honoring a musician whose sound and presence were such an important part of Limp Bizkit’s identity.
As the set neared its end, the band broke into “Behind Blue Eyes” from 2003’s Results May Vary before powering through “Take a Look Around” from Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. The jokes kept coming with an image of Tom Cruise this time saying “Tom Cruise Loves Limp Bizkit” Just when it seemed the night was winding down, actors dressed as police officers suddenly walked onto the stage and announced that a noise complaint had been filed and the concert was being shut down.
It did not take long for the crowd to recognize them as members of the Super Troopers cast, turning the interruption into one final surprise. Limp Bizkit gave the audience exactly what they wanted with a second performance of “Break Stuff,” this time featuring Officer Farva himself, actor Kevin Heffernan, sharing vocals with Durst. It was a hilarious, high-energy ending to the first day of the festival.
Limp Bizkit was the perfect way to kick off an epic weekend of nu-metal. Their performance brought back the nostalgia so many fans felt when they first discovered these iconic bands in the ’90s, and seeing them still deliver with the same energy decades later was incredible. Pairing those legendary artists with newer bands that are taking the sounds of the ’90s and 2000s and creating their own variations shows exactly what nu-metal has always been about: blending styles, breaking boundaries and building something entirely new. The crowd felt that energy throughout the day and left excited to see what day two, headlined by Creed, would bring.
FULL LIMP BIZKIT SHOW FROM CONCERT CURATOR
Summer of 99′ and Beyond Festival Setlist-Limp Bizkit-07/18/2026
1. Hot Dog
2. Break Stuff
3. Faith
4. My Generation
5. Livin’ It up
6. My Way
7. Eat You Alive
8. Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)
9. Dad Vibes
10. Nookie
11. Full Nelson (Brought up 2 girls from the audience to sing with. One dressed like Durst from the 90’s)
12. Boiler (Partial) w/ Sam Rivers Tribute)
13. Behind Blue Eyes (The Who Cover)
14. Take a Look Around
15. Break Stuff (Broken Lizard in character as Super Troopers)
LIMP BIZKIT
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube | Spotify
CYPRESS HILL
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube | Spotify
SEVENDUST
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube | Spotify
KITTIE
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube | Spotify
PUDDLE OF MUDD
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X| Youtube | Spotify
MAGNOLIA PARK
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube | Spotify
THE PRETTY WILD
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Spotify
SLAY SQUAD
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Spotify
Leave a Reply