Earlier today (Tuesday, April 14), KISS principals Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, along with longtime manager Doc McGhee of McGhee Entertainment, participated in a panel discussion titled “KISS Forever: How Pophouse Defines The Next Era Of KISS in Vegas“ during the Pollstar Live! Conference at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
The conversation was moderated by Jessica Koravos, the CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, the Sweden-based music investment firm co-founded by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus that acquired the KISS catalog in 2024.
Some excerpts appear below (as transcribed by Clay Marshall for BLABBERMOUTH.NET): On the KISS avatar show, which will premiere in Las Vegas in 2028: Paul:“KISS has always been interactive.
As fit as we might be, we don’t get younger, but those iconic characters can last forever.
The idea was to take that and transform [via] all the technology that has become available.
What we’ve created and what we’re in the works of creating for the avatar show is going to be something that is dependent on you as an audience member and upon the iconic characters, the personas.
It’s not going to be a concert, so to speak.” On how the avatar show will extend the band’s legacy: Gene:“We did this the right way.
We didn’t just copy what other people were doing.
We created our own unique concept that showcases KISS as a brand in new and innovative ways.” On the future of the KISS Kruise, which will return to Las Vegas for another “Land-Locked“ event this fall: Paul:“We’re excited to bring the KISS Kruise experience back to land this year.
We’ve had a blast hosting our fans on board and can’t wait to do it again.” On the origins and inspirations behind their “Starchild” and “Demon” personas: Gene:“We were all inspired by the German silent expressionist films of the 1920s.
We wanted to create a sense of drama and spectacle with our costumes and makeup.” The KISS avatar show is expected to open in Las Vegas in 2028.
Koravos said the company hopes to subsequently take the show on “tour.”“The goal in this process is that eventually, we will crack the touring side of avatar shows, and when we launch in Las Vegas, we will eventually be able to take the show on the road and hopefully figure out a way to get into arenas,” she explained.
More information on the 2026 edition of “KISS Kruise: Land-Locked In Vegas“ is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.