KISS co-founder Gene Simmons is hyping the band’s upcoming avatar concert series, set to debut in 2027. Developed in collaboration with Sweden’s Pophouse Entertainment, the project uses cutting-edge technology to create digital versions of the iconic rock group. Simmons, speaking on The Zak Kuhn Show podcast, explained how the avatars will allow KISS to “stay on the road” even in retirement.
“This technology is leaps and bounds ahead,” Simmons said, comparing it to ABBA’s successful Voyage show in London. He described the experience as an immersive, 360-degree virtual reality where fans feel fully transported. “It’s not just a concert; it’s Cirque du Soleil meets Star Wars meets KISS,” added frontman Paul Stanley.
Expanding the Legacy
The KISS avatars were previewed at the band’s final show in Madison Square Garden in December 2023. They will be part of an immersive experience blending visual effects, heat, wind, and fire to bring the KISS spectacle to life like never before. The digital versions of the band are being crafted by Industrial Light & Magic, the team behind Star Wars.
The avatar project is part of a larger deal with Pophouse Entertainment, which purchased the KISS music catalog, brand, and likeness rights. Simmons and Stanley remain heavily involved in the creative process, ensuring the band’s legacy continues as a “cultural force.”
“Bands don’t last forever, but KISS personas can,” Stanley explained. “This partnership ensures KISS lives on for generations.”
Avatar Show Details
The avatar concerts will require custom-built arenas equipped with advanced technology, making them permanent fixtures rather than touring shows. The debut is planned for Las Vegas in 2027.
With a mix of groundbreaking tech and KISS’s larger-than-life aesthetic, Simmons promises fans will be “blown away.” As Stanley put it, “This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s the future of entertainment.”
Source: Blabbermouth
