On Stage: KISS

There are bands that I just want to see once in my life, simply because they are legendary groups. Last month I saw AC/DC put down a great rock show and now KISS was visiting my town. I'm not a real hardcore fan but can certainly appreciate their music. And I really wanted to see them play one of their legendary shows.

KISS at Ziggo Dome Amsterdam, June 18 2015



We arrive at the venue well in time to find us a good spot and see The Dead Daisies try to warm up the early arrivals. They play standard classic rock that seems to go down well with many people, which means they do a good job as support act. That is no surprise since the band features well known experienced rock musicians. Many loyal fans, some are complete families, are wearing KISS T-shirts and show some painted faces. Then a big cover goes up with the famous KISS logo, hiding the whole stage. When the lights go out, thousands of cell phones go up in the air to record what comes next. I don't think I have ever seen so many people holding up their phone. The cover drops, fireworks go off and KISS kicks off with 'Detroit Rock City' while drummer Eric Singer is sitting high in the air on his drum platform.



What follows is a tightly choreographed and well-rehearsed KISS production that has all the elements the fans want to see. Even though you know everything is orchestrated and scripted, it is so chuck full of entertainment and the band are so well at it that is a lot of fun to watch. Of course it is way over the top, but that isn't a surprise and at the same time it fits this band. You shouldn't take it all too serious, as the band themselves are not doing. Their painted faces and outfits are all part of a spectacular show, with great visuals on the many screens and video wall, lots of fireworks and the many hits they have. The sound starts out bad, but within no time that is fixed and stays decent the whole show.



Bass player Gene Simmons of course is a spectacle himself, with his impressive looks and his famous tongue that he seems to stick out more than ever. Although singer Paul Stanley's voice is starting to wear, together with guitarist Tommy Thayer and Simmons they are all over the stage, getting on their knees and pointing at fans at the front row. Simmons is spitting fire in 'War Machine', spits "blood" and flies up into the air during a bass solo to land on a small platform all the way at the top of the stage where he plays 'God Of Thunder'. Stanley flies over to a platform at the back of the venue to do 'Love Gun' and 'Black Diamond' at the end of the regular set. In the encore during 'Rock And Roll All Nite', the expected last song, they pull out all their tricks for a grand finale. Simmons and Thayer are lifted above the crowd on a moving platform, Singer is rising up again while fireworks explode, confetti is shooting around and Stanley is trashing his guitar.



This was a night I'll remember for a long time. There is so much going on it is hard to describe. Oh an the music? It's great to hear this band play many of their hit songs live on stage with such a spectacular show. They are actually still pretty good at it too.



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Setlist:
01. Detroit Rock City
02. Deuce
03. Psycho Circus
04. Creatures of the Night
05. I Love It Loud
06. War Machine
07. Do You Love Me
08. Hell or Hallelujah
09. Calling Dr. Love
10. Lick It Up
11. God of Thunder
12. Cold Gin
13. Love Gun
14. Black Diamond
Encore
15. Shout It Out Loud
16. I Was Made for Lovin' You
17. Rock and Roll All Nite