When Kiss gave their final concert at Madison Square Garden in New York at the beginning of December, they heated up the rumor mill about a possible Avatar experience like ABBA Voyage. Fans were even able to witness a song performed by holograms, and a press release from Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley shortly thereafter suggested that the hard rock legends were keen to usher in a new era. Shortly before Christmas the confirmation came – the band will return to the stages virtually in 2027. They announce this with a trailer.
“A show is coming in 2027”
With the words “50 years is a long time, and what the future will bring is in the making,” Kiss announced their next project Instagram and publish a 25-second video. This teaser features animated avatars demonstrating their superpowers, including Gene Simmons taking to the skies with bat wings. The band often incorporated such special effects into their concerts using wires, ropes and lifting platforms, but now they have new means at their disposal for these stunts. At the end of the clip it says “A show is coming in 2027”. Shortly after their final concert, the guitarist made some statements about their future. He explained: “We can be forever young and forever iconic by going to places we’ve never dreamed of before.” No sooner said than done.
To implement their futuristic concept, the quartet works with Industrial Light & Magic, who are responsible for the special effects in Star Wars, as well as with Pophouse. The latter are also known as the company that makes ABBA Voyage possible. However, the project will not be entirely inexpensive. Gene Simmons recently announced that $200 million has been earmarked for the development of the hologram figures.
Creation of the Kiss avatars:
All good things come in three… years
For such a sum, the band members get very special avatars made in their own image – albeit a bit oversized. A height of over two meters is planned. These digital incarnations will also feature animated powers such as flying over the audience and breathing fire, redefining the boundaries of what is possible in live performances.
Unfortunately, fans still have to be patient, the first performances are currently only planned for 2027. In anticipation and to sweeten the wait of just over three years, here is the brief insight that Kiss has already provided.