KISS Reveal Plans For 'New Era' As Virtual Band

American rockers KISS have announced that they will go on as a virtual band, signalling their “new era” at their supposed final show on Saturday (2 December).

Performing at Madison Square Garden, the band walked off the stage during the encore, with the digital avatars of singer and guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer taking the stage for God Gave Rock And Roll To You. According to reports, KISS are the first American band to go virtual, following the lead of ABBA’s ABBA-tars.

The band also revealed their plan to go virtual on social media for the fans who couldn’t watch them at Madison Square Garden or on pay-per-view, writing on Twitter/X: “Today, A New Era Begins. #KISSARMY, the end is only the beginning! KISS have been immortalised and reborn as avatars to rock forever.”

Today, A New Era Begins. #KISSARMY, the end is only the beginning!

KISS have been immortalized and reborn as avatars to rock forever. #KISSNEWERA

WATCH NOW https://t.co/Khudwx7cud pic.twitter.com/2jz7OOmKTj

— KISS (@kiss) December 3, 2023

In a recent interview entitled “A New Era Begins (The Conversation)”, Paul Stanley said that while the band’s achievements have been outstanding, they’re “not enough”. He explained, “The band deserves to live on because the band is bigger than we are. It’s exciting for us to go the next step and see KISS immortalised.”

The virtual future of KISS may have been hinted at by Gene Simmons last month, who said in a 519 Magazine interview, “This tour is the end of the road for the band, not the brand.”

He continued, “KISS is a universe of its own – movies, merchandise, maybe even Broadway. The band will end, but the KISS experience… it’s immortal.”

According to reports from The Associated Press, the virtual KISS members were created in conjunction with George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic and Pophouse Entertainment Group, a company founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus.

KISS returned to Australia in September and October 2023, performing their final shows down under at the AFL Grand Final as the pre-game headliners and with a headlining performance at Sydney’s (Eora) Accor Stadium.

In a The Music live review, writer Mark Hebblewhite commented about the performance, “Even though KISS are now bonafide senior citizens, they retained a power and vitality that was truly jaw-dropping.” Hebblewhite added, “Of course, KISS themselves were a well-oiled machine and sounded absolutely huge.”