Here We Go Again, KISS Announces New Concert Event

Feature Photo: Tony Norkus / Shutterstock.com

When KISS played their supposedly final performance at Madison Square Garden, how many rock and roll fans who have been around the block a few times really believed that would be the last time Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons would ever perform on stage together as KISS? I mean, that’s like saying Elton John has truly retired. These are rock and roll stars who have spent almost their entire lives performing in front of crowds that go absolutely wild. You just can’t give that up. No matter how many times you announce a farewell tour or a farewell performance, one should understand that no matter how much pain your body may be in, or how sick and tired you may be of touring and performing, if you’re still breathing, you’re going to want to get back on that stage again.

Here’s the news: as for the whole deal about this being a one-off, well, if you believe that, I know a Chick-fil-A that’s actually open on a Sunday.

In a newsletter and then on the band’s website, KISS announced an unmasked, makeup-free live performance as part of the three-day KISS Army Storms Vegas event. The special concert will take place from November 14 to 16 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, marking the band’s first live appearance since their highly publicized farewell shows at Madison Square Garden in December 2023.

The announcement has come as a surprise to many, given that KISS had vowed their ‘End of the Road’ tour would be their final outing. However, the lure of performing again—especially as part of a major celebration of the KISS Army’s 50th anniversary—proved irresistible. The KISS Army Storms Vegas event is expected to draw fans from across the globe, eager to witness the band perform without their iconic stage makeup.

The event package includes a three-night stay at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, meet-and-greets with band members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and manager Doc McGhee, as well as exclusive Q&A sessions. Adding to the excitement, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick is slated to perform, rekindling memories of the band’s unmasked era from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. Kulick, who played on albums such as Asylum (1985) and Revenge (1992), will be joined by other special guests, making for an eclectic celebration of the band’s storied career.

The decision to perform unmasked has sparked conversations among fans, as it marks a departure from the makeup-clad personas that have become synonymous with KISS’s legacy. This isn’t the first time the band has gone without makeup; they famously did so from 1983 until their 1996 reunion tour. However, given the context of their supposed final tour, some fans were skeptical when the event was announced.

In addition to the concert, KISS Army members will have access to various activities, including merchandise signings and interactive sessions. VIP members have been given priority for ticket sales, with pre-sales beginning March 28, followed by a general on-sale starting April 7. Fans can visit kissarmystormsvegas.com for details.

Meanwhile, Gene Simmons recently postponed 17 of his solo tour dates planned for 2025, rescheduling them for 2026. Simmons clarified that health issues were not the reason behind the cancellations, assuring fans that the shows would eventually take place. Despite the postponement, the upcoming KISS event in Las Vegas is shaping up to be a major attraction, particularly for those who thought they had seen the band perform for the last time in 2023, if there were actually any fans that believed it really was the last time. Not me.