Two years ago, KISS’ final farewell tour ended at New York’s Madison Square Garden, but it was understood that they were leaving the door open for one-offs and residencies, in addition to the promised hologram era that begins in 2027. This past March, the band announced unmasked, makeup-free live shows, as part of a three-day event called KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas, and the first went down last night.
Friday was the acoustic set. They handed out electric candles and opened with a moment of silence for Ace Frehley who passed away last month, and had other tributes for the late guitarist. The group performed “Hard Luck Woman” and “Hide Your Heart” for the first time since 2019.
A KISS subredditor (though unclear if an attendee) was unimpressed with that acoustic set: “Talk about phoning it in. Same boring stuff they always do at these acoustic type shows that they’ve done for years. Hide Your Heart is the only thing halfway approaching something they haven’t done to death at these kind of events.”
The electric set is tonight, and there are also panels and other bands. The $4909-tier tickets (which include hotel stay) all sold out, but it’s unclear if anyone will get to be Gene Simmons’ roadie.
Watch “A World Without Heroes,” KISS’ 1981 ballad co-written by Lou Reed, performed by the reunited final lineup of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer below.