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Photo – Len Panecki

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KISS
@ Rod Laver Arena
Melbourne
20th August 2022
(Live Review)

Review by Paul Tadday

Photos by Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

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There are any number of superlatives you can throw around when describing a KISS show. “Boring” isn’t one of them. This was the bands 20th show at Rod Laver Arena and it lived up to all “great expectations”.

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to see KISS play live in all its bombastic glory, then last night’s tour launch in Melbourne would have pretty much been ‘business as usual’. However, since this is definitely (we’re assured) the band’s absolutely final tour there was definitely a heightened level of energy and nostalgia about last night’s show at Rod Laver Arena.

Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer were all totally on song and in in the groove, delivering a polished performance that would be bound to teach many a band a lesson or two.

With members well into their 70s this is without doubt the band’s swansong, and they’re going out swinging and on top.

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

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THE END OF THE ROAD TOUR has finally made its way to Australia. After all of the fits and starts associated with cancellations (due to the pandemic and an earlier illness to Paul Stanley) KISS triumphantly returned to Aussie stages with an all-out visual and aural assault that would leave a smile on the dial of the devoted fans in attendance.

Melbourne hardrockers DEAD CITY RUINS kicked off proceedings with all the energy and stage presence of a young band hungry for success. What they delivered was a brilliant set of heavy blues hard rock, with cues taken from bands such as AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Skid Row. The way in which the band dominated the stage would have come as no surprise to local fans of DEAD CITY RUINS and the energetic set delivered by the band was a sure sign of successes yet to be enjoyed.

When the giant black KISS curtain drops in front of the stage the anticipation begins to build, with expectations of what’s to come.

The lights go out and that familiar introduction echoes around the stadium…

“Alllllllright Melbourne! YOU wanted the best! YOU got the best! The hottest band in the world… KISSS!”

The curtain drops and the opening riff to “Detroit Rock City” blasts from all corners of the arena. KISS descends from the heights of the incredible elaborate lighting rig to blasts of pyro as the crowd goes nuts!

It was very much a rinse and repeat show for KISS, similar to almost every tour they’ve performed since reinstating the iconic make-up for the reunion back in 1996. But make no mistake, this is not a negative by any means.

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

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There are certain elements of KISS lore that are essential in this show that would leave the audience cold if not included.

Gene’s iconic fire-breathing during “I Love It Loud”, his blood-spitting antics during “God Of Thunder”. The elevating drum riser during “Black Diamond”. Paul’s (at times) cringeworthy banter with the crowd and his flight to the back of the arena to sing “Love Gun”, smashing his guitar in sync with bursts of pyro at the encore. Rockets from Tommy’s guitar, tonnes of confetti during “Rock And Roll All Night”. These are all integral parts of any KISS concert and they were on show in all their glory tonight.

A set list of absolute classic KISS bangers (and “SayYeah”) were delivered with an intensity and strength that make you wonder whether these guys could actually continue on for another decade if they really wanted to.

Highlights for me were “Detroit Rock City”, “God Of Thunder”, “Black Diamond” and the full electric version of “Shandi”.

If you are on the fence about seeing KISS one last time do yourself a favour (as someone famously said) and just go! You will not be disappointed, as can attest the 15,000 fans who attended the sold out show in Melbourne tonight.

Tickets have sold out for Sunday night’s show and there are some still available for Tuesday night (for Melbourne). Brisbane has sold out and some tickets are still available for all other shows. Don’t miss your last chance to witness KISS in Australia!

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

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AUSTRALIAN CONCERT DATES 2021

Saturday August 20
ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE VIC
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
Support:  Dead City Ruins

Sunday August 21
ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE VIC
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
Support:  Rival Fire

Tuesday August 23
ROD LAVER ARENA, MELBOURNE VIC
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
Support:  Dallas Crane

Friday August 26
QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY NSW
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
Support:  The Poor

Saturday August 27
QUDOS BANK ARENA, SYDNEY NSW
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
Support:  Battle Snake

Tuesday August 30
ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, SA
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
Support:  The Superjesus

Friday September 2
RAC ARENA, PERTH WA
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
Support:  Legs Electric

Tuesday September 6
BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, QLD
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
Support:  Wolfmother

Saturday September 10
CBUS SUPER STADIUM
GOLD COAST, QLD
Supports:  Wolfmother & Tumbleweed
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Check out Len Panecki’s full gallery of this event HERE

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Follow KISS
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

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Photo – Len Panecki

Press Release February 2022 (below) HERE

KISS

Reschedule Australian Tour

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AMNPLIFY – DB