The Swedish group ABBA made a big splash by returning to the stage entirely virtually in 2021 by offering a show with its holograms. They gave ideas to their colleagues at Kiss. The legendary rock band delivered their last live concert in New York on Saturday, the final date of their farewell tour. And announced that they would pass the baton to their digital clones.
During their encore onstage at Madison Square Garden, Kiss founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer left the stage to reveal their digital avatars. After this transformation, the virtual quartet launched into a performance of God Gave Rock and Roll to You.
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Per Sundin, head of Pophouse Entertainment, told AP that this technology allows Kiss to perpetuate its legacy for “eternity.” The choice not to go on stage for the New York finale was that of the group so as not to distract from the virtual performance. This represents the future, believes Per Sundin: “with avatars, KISS could give a concert in three cities on the same evening on three different continents”. During a round table, Paul Stanley believed that KISS deserved to continue performing even without them. “This new step and this process of immortalization is exciting,” he says. For his part, Gene Simmons enthused: “We will stay young and iconic forever and go to places we didn’t even know existed. Paul will jump even higher”
The septuagenarian group, made famous by the hits I Was Made for Lovin’ You, Detroit Rock City and Beth, announced their farewell tour in 2019. It had to be interrupted in 2020 due to the pandemic. And could only resume in 2021. The rockers, however, have not said their last word. And could be tempted by a residency in Las Vegas and a new album.
