There’s something almost supernatural about watching John Fogerty take the stage in 2025. At 80 years old, the man who once sang about a “bad moon rising” is still rocking stages with the same swampy swagger and unstoppable energy that made Creedence Clearwater Revival a cornerstone of American rock. The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, with its glowing red marquee and rich golden interior, was the perfect temple for a night of pure roots rock glory.
Fogerty didn’t come to rest on nostalgia alone—he came to remind everyone why those CCR songs have survived generations, and how his solo work stands shoulder-to-shoulder with them. From the first chords of “Bad Moon Rising,” the place erupted, and it never really calmed down again.
Opening Thunder: The Creedence Storm Returns
The set began with that unmistakable jangle—the bright, urgent riff of “Bad Moon Rising.” The crowd, filled with everyone from old hippies in denim vests to Gen Z kids wearing vintage band tees, sang every word. Fogerty smiled wide, eyes crinkled with joy, and let the audience take over on the final chorus. From there, he tore straight into “Up Around the Bend,” another Creedence classic that turned the Fox into a sea of raised arms and clapping hands.
It was immediately clear that Fogerty’s voice, while weathered, hasn’t lost its bite. That gritty, bayou-born rasp still cuts through the mix like a Louisiana windstorm. His band—tight, slick, and full of energy—backed him with precision and affection. His son Shane Fogerty handled guitar duties with impressive fire, adding youthful ferocity to the old man’s swamp-rock shuffle.
“Green River” and “Born on the Bayou” followed, two songs that together built the Creedence mythos. The lighting turned mossy green and dusky gold, evoking the steamy South that Fogerty once imagined so vividly from California. On “Born on the Bayou,” his guitar snarled, and the whole theater felt the thrum of that slow, dangerous groove that defined Creedence’s deep cuts.
Then came “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” and it was one of the night’s early emotional peaks. Fogerty told the crowd that he wrote it in 1970 after playing Woodstock, remembering how “we were wet, cold, and full of hope.” The song’s bittersweet melody filled the Fox with a collective sigh—proof that even in a time of chaos, the simple power of a three-minute folk-rock tune can still soothe the soul.
The Spirit of the Seventies and Beyond
“Lookin’ Out My Back Door” brought the energy back up, all twang and grin, as Fogerty bounced along like a man half his age. Then came “Rock and Roll Girls,” a sweet reminder of his solo years in the ’80s. It was a chance to show that Fogerty’s songwriting didn’t just stop with Creedence—his knack for melody and groove remained sharp, even when the band was long gone.
By the time “Run Through the Jungle” rolled out, the stage was pure fire. That song remains one of the most sinister and muscular tracks in Fogerty’s arsenal—a warning and a jam rolled into one. The audience roared as Fogerty unleashed one of his fiercest solos of the night, backed by pounding drums and deep bass that shook the vintage theater.
He cooled things down with “Joy of My Life,” dedicated to his wife Julie, the muse behind the song. It was a tender moment, and it landed beautifully amid the swamp rock storm. Then it was back to the bayou with “Hey Tonight” and the underrated gem “It Came Out of the Sky,” both delivered with punchy precision and a grin that said Fogerty still loves every note he’s ever written.
The Heart of the Show: Rain, Baseball, and Revival
The show’s heart centered around three back-to-back moments: “Keep On Chooglin’,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?,” and “Centerfield.” Each represented a different era of Fogerty’s life—the jam-band freedom of Creedence, the reflective beauty of his songwriting peak, and the joyful Americana of his solo success.
“Keep On Chooglin’” turned into a swamp-rock jam that felt almost psychedelic in its intensity. Fogerty let the band stretch out, harmonica wailing, guitars grinding, the crowd lost in the rhythm. It was a glimpse of what Creedence might have sounded like had they stayed together through the ’70s—a cosmic boogie straight from the delta.
Then came “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?,” and the Fox Theatre turned into a choir. Fogerty didn’t have to sing much; thousands of voices did it for him. There was a visible emotion on his face—gratitude, nostalgia, pride. This was more than just a performance; it was communion.
When he grabbed a baseball bat-shaped guitar for “Centerfield,” the place erupted in laughter and applause. The screen behind him showed old baseball clips, and he grinned like a kid, hitting every lyric out of the park. It’s one of rock’s most wholesome anthems, and live, it’s pure fun.
Down on the Corner, Up in the Balcony
As the night rolled toward its finale, Fogerty kept the hits coming. “Down on the Corner” had the entire theater dancing in the aisles. “The Old Man Down the Road” proved that Fogerty’s 1980s guitar work could still bite as hard as his Creedence riffs—its bluesy shuffle filling every corner of the room.
When the opening snarl of “Fortunate Son” hit, everyone in the Fox Theatre knew they were witnessing the apex of the night. The crowd exploded. Fogerty, channeling that righteous fury that has never dulled with age, delivered each line like a sermon. “It ain’t me, it ain’t me,” he roared, as the guitars crashed behind him. It was powerful, timely, and timeless all at once—an anthem that refuses to lose relevance.
The band left the stage to thunderous applause and foot-stomping calls for more.
Encore: Travelin’ Through Time
Fogerty returned for an encore that was pure joy. “Travelin’ Band” hit like a shot of adrenaline, and it was clear he still thrives on that Chuck Berry-meets-swamp rock energy. He duck-walked across the stage, traded solos with his son, and looked like he was having the time of his life.
And then came “Proud Mary.” The lights went warm and golden, the audience was on its feet, and the first strum brought goosebumps. Everyone sang—every generation, every seat. It was one of those rare live moments where music becomes memory. The Fox Theatre glowed with a shared sense of American rock heritage, and for those few minutes, it felt like time had stopped.
The Verdict: Fogerty Forever
John Fogerty’s show at the Fox Theatre wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration of endurance, legacy, and joy. His energy, humor, and heart filled every corner of the historic venue. His voice may carry the gravel of years gone by, but it still delivers those songs with conviction and fire.
What stands out most about Fogerty is how much he cares. He cares about the music, about the fans, about keeping the Creedence spirit alive. When he looked out into the crowd during “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” or cracked a smile mid-solo on “Born on the Bayou,” you could tell he wasn’t just performing—he was reliving.
His band was tight, his guitar playing still ferocious, and his sense of showmanship undimmed. He mixed just enough storytelling with relentless rock energy, and his setlist was a dream for any fan. For two glorious hours, Atlanta got to stand in the glow of one of rock’s last true troubadours.
Fogerty’s music still resonates because it speaks to something timeless—American resilience, rebellion, and hope. Decades after Creedence defined the sound of late-’60s rock, Fogerty proves that those bayou echoes still roll loud and proud.
Setlist – John Fogerty at Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA (2025)
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Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Up Around the Bend (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Green River (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Born on the Bayou (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Who’ll Stop the Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Lookin’ Out My Back Door (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Rock and Roll Girls
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Run Through the Jungle (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Joy of My Life
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Hey Tonight (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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It Came Out of the Sky (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Keep On Chooglin’ (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Centerfield
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Down on the Corner (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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The Old Man Down the Road
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Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Encore: -
Travelin’ Band (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
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Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Final Grade: A+
A powerhouse performance that proves John Fogerty is still one of rock’s great American storytellers. His energy, musicianship, and enduring joy make nights like this feel downright holy. The swamp never dries up—and neither does Fogerty’s fire.