Paul Stanley recently defended KISS’s upcoming avatar shows against criticism. He addressed the controversy in a statement shared on Rock Nations with Dave and Shane.
The KISS frontman spoke about the much-anticipated avatar show tentatively set to premiere in 2027. He responded directly to critics who have questioned the band’s decision to continue performing through avatar technology.
“This avatar show that’s going to be in Vegas is gonna blow everybody’s minds,” Stanley said. “It’s not like what some people have called holograms and all this kind of experimental and kitschy stuff. This is seeing us.”
Stanley emphasized the authenticity of the avatar experience while addressing the criticism head-on.
“This is as real as I am, and I think it’s gonna just blow people away,” he continued. “And it extends the band that much further. There’s no reason for us to live within the boundaries of other rock bands. They live within those boundaries because that’s all they can be. And it’s great, but we are not that — we’re KISS.”
The avatar shows represent KISS’s latest innovation in live entertainment technology as the band continues to push creative boundaries.
Stanley’s comments come as the band prepares to launch what could be the most ambitious digital concert experience in rock history. The project represents a significant evolution from the early preview shown during KISS’s farewell performances.
Blabbermouth reported that the avatars are being created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), George Lucas’s renowned special-effects company. They are produced by Swedish firm Pophouse Entertainment, the same company behind ABBA’s successful Voyage show. The avatars were previewed in their early stages at KISS’s 2023 farewell concert. Stanley has promised the final version will be far more sophisticated and “mind-bogglingly realistic.”
The ambitious project carries substantial financial backing. Fortune revealed that Pophouse Entertainment has invested $200 million in the venture. The show aims to incorporate immersive effects including fire, heat, and even smells. It extends far beyond traditional concert experiences to create a multi-sensory spectacle.
To create their digital counterparts, KISS performed in motion capture suits, as Fortune detailed. The avatars are depicted as superhero versions of the band members. This technology allows the digital versions to maintain the theatrical essence that has defined KISS throughout their career while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in live entertainment.
The avatar shows emerge as KISS’s solution to continuing their legacy following their End of the Road farewell tour retirement. Rather than simply ending their performing career, the band has chosen to embrace cutting-edge technology to maintain their presence in the entertainment world. This ensures their theatrical rock spectacle can continue indefinitely in digital form.
