KISS: End of the Road World Tour
Gila River Arena, Phoenix, AZ, February 13, 2019
by Mary Andrews
“One Last KISS: End of the Road World Tour” is touted as KISS’ very last concert tour. Simmons announced that this would be a three-year tour and they will hit every continent before the tour is complete. The band made their only Arizona stop in Glendale on Feb 13. This would be the “biggest party ever” and the ‘KISS Army’ flocked into the venue sporting their favorite KISS character makeup and outfits ready for a party of epic proportion.
The show was a spectacle with the characters they created blowing fire and spitting blood, playing guitars that shot rockets. The music was upbeat and uncomplicated. The tunes were easy to sing along with and have fun.
This tour has a new stage with classic videos of KISS performing from the 70s 80s and 90s in the background throughout the entire show. There were circular lighting displays, streamers, pyrotechnics, confetti canons and explosions. The pyrotechnics were amped up and reinvented this time around. The lighting was astounding.
Stanley ziplined to a high stage at the back of the arena, singing “Love Gun” while facing his band mates on the main stage. “This is a cool place to be,” he shouted when the song was through, “because I can see Kiss!”
KISS opened with “Detroit Rock City” and they stuck with the ’70s classics for “Shout It Loud” and “Deuce” before bringing in the more current tracks from 2009’s “Sonic Boom,” “Say Yeah.” They touched on several different eras, providing an overview as they returned often to the early days, including several songs from “Destroyer” and four from their debut album.
There has been much discussion of Stanley using vocal reinforcements while singing this tour. There were no vocal acrobatics from the band. That said, the vocals and the music sounded great.
Singer’s drum solo is one of the best on “100,000 Years.” He is touted as one of the best percussionists in show business. Singer delivers on all eight cylinders.
Simmons is still spitting blood to the delight of the fans. He was elevated on a circular panel with his face animated on all of the other circular panels surrounding him. The projections seemed to be live projections. It was an astounding visual experience.
The visuals in “God of Thunder” were another highlight of the show. As a horror icon, Simmons’ legacy is cemented in the history of rock. There was a lot of good chemistry between Simmons and Thayer during the show.
The show did not have the vibe of a roundup of their career. It was more like a good KISS tour not a focus on farewell. They had a farewell in 2000. They may fall into the ranks of Cher who has had several final tours and still going.
The show is spontaneous combustion of energy and connection with the fans at the same time. Few bands generate the glitz, glamour and excitement of KISS. Catch KISS live while you can. They are touring with their best show ever.
Link to set list:
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