Kiss News

Gene Simmons and Company Have a Crazy, Crazy Night in Sheffield

By George Garner
Photos by Alyson Blanchard
KKKKK

There can be few moments in rock 'n' roll quite as exciting as the one that occurs at 8:45pm this evening when Sheffield Arena is plunged into darkness and the towering curtain bearing the legendary KISS logo drops to the floor. Enormous flames erupt onstage, barbecuing the front row as KISS -- in all of their eight-inch heeled, face-painted glory -- appear on a superbly OTT, steaming platform. As they burst into Modern Day Delilah, the announcement introducing KISS as "The hottest band in the world!" is clearly not an exaggeration.

Then the aforementioned curtain drops and KISS start a classic show that lets each band member shine. Guitarist Paul Stanley's moment of glory comes when he flies over everyone's heads to a revolving stage, where, with his sparkling guitar, he looks like a human disco ball. Equally impressive is legendary man-demon Gene Simmons (tongue constantly out) who stuns everyone as he breathes fire, spits blood, and, with his cape spread behind him, flies up to a special stage above the lighting rig to play I Love it Loud. On top of that, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer have a spectacular firework-enhanced guitar/drum solo competition that climaxes with Eric shooting a firework into the rafters from a bazooka.

Gene Simmons and co have a Crazy, Crazy Night in Sheffield

By George Garner
Photos by Alyson Blanchard
KKKKK

There can be few moments in rock 'n' roll quite as exciting as the one that occurs at 8:45pm this evening when Sheffield Arena is plunged into darkness and the towering curtain bearing the legendary KISS logo drops to the floor. Enormous flames erupt onstage, barbecuing the front row as KISS -- in all of their eight-inch heeled, face-painted glory -- appear on a superbly OTT, steaming platform. As they burst into Modern Day Delilah, the announcement introducing KISS as "The hottest band in the world!" is clearly not an exaggeration.

Then the aforementioned curtain drops and KISS start a classic show that lets each band member shine. Guitarist Paul Stanley's moment of glory comes when he flies over everyone's heads to a revolving stage, where, with his sparkling guitar, he looks like a human disco ball. Equally impressive is legendary man-demon Gene Simmons (tongue constantly out) who stuns everyone as he breathes fire, spits blood, and, with his cape spread behind him, flies up to a special stage above the lighting rig to play I Love it Loud. On top of that, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer have a spectacular firework-enhanced guitar/drum solo competition that climaxes with Eric shooting a firework into the rafters from a bazooka.

As jaw-dropping as all of this is, the theatrics never overshadow the music. Tonight, as Paul says, they "dig deep," playing the classics alongside killer new material from last year's 4 K-rated Sonic Boom. With Crazy, Crazy Nights, Love Gun, Lick it Up and indisputable highlight God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You, they send the all-singing, all-air-guitaring KISS Army to rock 'n' roll heaven.

Everything about the show is executed so brilliantly that there's simply no room for cynicism tonight, especially not with the three trillion tonnes of confetti exploding everywhere during the finale of Rock And Roll All Nite. This really, truly is the greatest show on earth.

________________________________

How Was It For You?

Gene Simmons: "KISS have always had a love affair with England, so to hear the Sheffield crowd sing God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You tonight was truly insiprational.

Martin (fan) - Sheffield: "That was the sixth time I've seen them now and it seems the older they get, the better they are. KISS are the greatest band ever!"

Sadie (fan) - Sheffield: "I've never seen a bazooka fired during a gig before! That was my first KISS gig and I loved it! I'm going to see them again at Wembley.

Another great week of KISS shows... another week of great fan reviews!

Dear KISS! Just a note to say a massive thanks for two amazing shows in London and Dublin this year, you guys were incredible!!!! Can't wait to see ye back in Europe in 2011/12!
Robert O'Connor

In Zurich my dream came true. I met the big boys. Thanks Paul, Gene, Eric and Tommy for rocking my life... The KISS Principality of Liechtenstein Army !!! Small but Strong !!!
Andy Buechel

What an awesome night in Berlin!!! It was our first Kiss' concert and you really rock on stage! We hope more crazy nights like this. Many greetings!!!!
Rodrigo and Cris

I just would like to thank you. The concert with you was my first rock concert ever! And it became fantastic. Thank you Kiss!!! Your music is the best music on earth. When I am driving car I often hear Kiss and open the car window :-) Thank you for the great concert. I will remember it my whole life.
Ruediger Lange

Thank You for a great evening in Berlin yesterday. The show was a awesome experience and thy pyros was a great Sonic BOOM. I hope we could see the band in near future again.
Thorsten Heidenreich & PetraAnother great week of KISS shows... another week of great fan reviews!

Dear KISS! Just a note to say a massive thanks for two amazing shows in London and Dublin this year, you guys were incredible!!!! Can't wait to see ye back in Europe in 2011/12!
Robert O'Connor

In Zurich my dream came true. I met the big boys. Thanks Paul, Gene, Eric and Tommy for rocking my life... The KISS Principality of Liechtenstein Army !!! Small but Strong !!!
Andy Buechel

What an awesome night in Berlin!!! It was our first Kiss' concert and you really rock on stage! We hope more crazy nights like this. Many greetings!!!!
Rodrigo and Cris

I just would like to thank you. The concert with you was my first rock concert ever! And it became fantastic. Thank you Kiss!!! Your music is the best music on earth. When I am driving car I often hear Kiss and open the car window :-) Thank you for the great concert. I will remember it my whole life.
Ruediger Lange

Thank You for a great evening in Berlin yesterday. The show was a awesome experience and thy pyros was a great Sonic BOOM. I hope we could see the band in near future again.
Thorsten Heidenreich & Petra

Dear Guys, went to see the show in Manchester on 10th May, took my 3 nieces with me, 2nd generation, 2 of them had never seen Kiss before and we all loved loved loved it. If I never get to see another Kiss show I'll die a happy person, not for a long time yet I hope!!! You ARE the best band in the world, keep on rocking and come back to England soon.
Tracey Eason

Dear KISS!!!! We're from Poland, and although you weren't there we really love you, and we're proud of being your fans. We were in Praha and we must say that was the best time in our life!!! the concert was more than wonderful, it's hard to describe our feelings. We hope you realise that you have a lot of fans in Poland, and in Praha, there were not only Czech fans but hundreds of Polish representans of KISS Army. Anyway, the show was wonderful and we have only one, small request. Please, come back to Praha one day!! :) Your concerts make people happier than they were earlier!!! As I said, your performance gave us the best moments in our life!!!! Paul, Gene, Eric, Tommy - we love you forever and ever!!!!!! Thank you for everything!!!!!!
Martusia & Alek

WE WANTED THE BEST AND WE GOT IT !!! ( ..again! ) Thank You very, very much for an bombastic experience. You' ve always been, You ARE and You will always be The Hottest Band In The World. Hope to see You again!
Marcela & Hana - Ostrava, Czech Rep