2023-07-03 11:40:14
Dark costumes, platform boots and lots of make-up: With unmistakable style, Kiss deliver a rock spectacle at the last German concert in the band’s history in Cologne.
Fire fountains, thunderbolts and opulently made-up musicians who slide down onto platforms from the hall ceiling onto the stage: US hard rockers Kiss focused on spectacle right from the start at the final Germany performance of their “End of the Road” tour in Cologne’s Lanxess Arena . Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer had big plans for probably the last performance in the band’s history in Germany on Sunday evening.
The legendary rockers performed in dark, glittering costumes, high platform boots and made-up faces – the band’s trademark for years. They thrilled the 16,000 celebrating and sometimes a little wistful fans in the sold-out Lanxess Arena with an entertaining rock show.
Extended guitar, bass and drum solos
Musically, the rock band, founded in New York in 1973, relied primarily on the big hits from the band’s 50-year history. “We’ll also play all the old stuff you guys want to hear,” vocalist Paul Stanley said. From “Detroit Rock City” at the start of the performance to the songs “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” and “Rock and Roll All Nite” in the encores, all the well-known numbers could be heard. In addition, the four musicians let their skills flash loudly with several extended guitar, bass and drum solos.
Of course, the well-known show elements were not missing in a clearly choreographed show. Bassist Gene Simmons spat fire for the song “I Love it Loud”, later the 73-year-old let fake blood run out of his mouth. Guitarist Tommy Thayer shot fire rockets with his guitar. And almost all of the pieces were accompanied by fireworks and flamethrowers, the heat of which radiated far into the back rows of the audience.
“Feel like family”
24 years ago Kiss had already performed in Cologne. “It’s the second time I’ve been here, but it will also be the last time,” singer and founding member Paul Stanley told fans – a moment that saw a disappointed “oooh” go through the audience. Numerous supporters, who also call themselves the “Kiss Army”, had put on make-up like their idols for the evening and put on tour shirts from previous years. Stanley said he has a special connection to the German fans. “My mom was born here so you guys feel like family,” the 71-year-old singer and guitarist told viewers.
The performance in Cologne was a worthy conclusion to the German “End of the Road” concerts. Even after 50 years of rock business, Kiss radiated the necessary energy to sweep the fans in the Lanxess Arena away. Again and again, singer Paul Stanley sought to be close to the audience and encouraged them to sing and cheer along. After about two hours and three encores, however, it was over: With white balloons and a huge rain of confetti, the rockers released the exhausted fans with a “Good Night” into the night.
Even though Kiss will no longer be seen in Germany, the hard rock group will still play numerous international shows until the end of the year. The final performance of the “End of the Road” tour is scheduled for December 2, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (dpa)
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