KISS know how to put on a show. It's as simple as that - regardless of what you think about the band or their music, they sure can entertain. And after 35 years their age really isn't showing performance-wise. This was an event with action from start to finish and in the words of Paul Stanley (still bouncing around and jumping in those boots even after a hip replacement!), KISS is about fun - no politics, no bad news just FUN!
The last time I saw KISS (2004) I chose to forgo their arena show when they announced they'd be playing a club show as I felt it would be a more unique experience - and it was - however I was left wanting to see the arena spectacular one more time. I say "one more time" because I have seen the band several times now (in different incarnations, with and without makeup) so without any new material on offer I'm not sure I need to make the investment again. This is not to say I was disappointed with what I saw, far from it.
All the hallmarks were there: the explosions, fire (and fire-breathing), levitating drumkit, etc. though for mine the best was Gene's introduction to "God Of Thunder" where, after his blood-spitting routine, he flew up to a platform on top of the lighting rig and performed the first half of the song from up there. I also enjoyed seeing Tommy Thayer sing "Shock Me" - he can "do Ace" vocally as well as on guitar - probably better than Ace can these days. Another pleasant surprise was the inclusion of "Lick It Up" - one of my favourite KISS songs - surprising because it is from the band's non-makeup period.
For pure spectacle, a good time and some great "big dumb rock songs" I highly recommend attendance at a KISS show to anyone - even just to see where all those other big rock acts pinched a lot of their show and performance ideas from.
Set list:
1. Deuce
2. Shout It Out Loud
3. C'mon And Love Me
4. Lick It Up
5. I Love It Loud
6. Firehouse
7. Calling Dr Love
8. Shock Me
9. Let Me Go, Rock And Roll
10. 100,000 Years
11. God Of Thunder
12. Black Diamond
13. Love Gun
14. Detroit Rock City
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15. Shandi
16. I Was Made For Loving You
17. Rock 'n' Roll All Nite
(All photos by Debbie Davis.)
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