KISS @ Prudential Center Newark, NJ 8-14-19

Legendary band KISS announced in late 2018 that they will be doing one last tour around the world. This tour will last approximately 3 years. Since that announcement, the band has done one North America leg and a huge summer European leg that took them through a ton of countries that included Russia, Italy, France, and England. Just a few weeks ago, KISS started the 2nd leg of the North American tour. The tour stop had them make possibly their last New Jersey appearance at the Prudential Center this past Wednesday night. The arena was packed to see this 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band one last time.

The show started off with the band descending from the top of the arena on pods to the stage area as the first few chords of “Detroit Rock City” were played. KISS have been known for the biggest stage productions but this I would have to say, is definitely by far their biggest one yet. There is a lot going on and even the stage has been reconfigured to give fans a unique experience to witness the band from the pit area. Ringleader and co founder Paul Stanley still moves around quite a bit and is one of the most physically fit rock stars you will see for a man pushing his late 60’s. His partner and co-founder, bassist Gene Simmons took over the lead vocals for the 2nd track as the band went into “Deuce.” The fire breathing Demon (as Simmons is also known as), also worked that stage just as much as Stanley. His vocals have lost almost nothing over the years as songs like “I Love It Loud,” “Dr. Love” and “War Machine” were sang darkly and boldly. It was nice to see that a stage prop from the 70’s in “Sammie the Serpent” making its way back into the fold. It came alive during “100,000 years.”

Longtime members Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer have definitely earned their place in KISStory from the legion of KISS Army fans. Each enjoyed their respective solos and have been an integral part of what KISS has brought to their fans over the last few decades. What’s a true KISS show without the effects such as the levitating drums or shooting the rockets out of the guitar? All of course were included for KISS fans to “Lick It Up,” no pun intended.

The show ran off without a hitch minus a spotlight that wasn’t on Stanley when it should have been before “Psycho Circus.” Stanley let him know him know about it too. Stanley and Simmons also left the stage as Simmons was lifted to the top of the lighting truss for “God of Thunder.” Stanley was whisked across the arena on a pulley to sing “Love Gun” and “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” on a small stage at the back of the arena.

The show ran off like a well oiled machine. If this is truly The End of The Road, then I for one will say, thanks for a wonderful 46 plus years of doing it your way!

Setlist:

Detroit Rock City

Shout it Out Loud

Deuce

Say Yeah

I Love It Loud

Heaven’s on Fire

War Machine

Lick It Up (Won’t Get Fooled Again snippet-The Who cover)

Calling Dr. Love

100,000 Years/drum solo

Cold Gin/Tommy Thayer guitar solo