KISS is ready to rock New Zealand!

You wanted the best, you got the best. The hottest band in the world… KISS!

And with those familiar words, New Zealand rock fans rejoiced at the news KISS was heading to Vector Arena later this year.

Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer have not performed in New Zealand for seven years since they appeared in Wellington in 2008. But the painted-face rockers will return to NZ in October as part of their 40^th Anniversary world tour.

The band is renowned for its showmanship and over-the-top stage personas. The make-up, costumes and special effects are half the fun of a KISS concert and the group’s incredible back catalogue of much-loved rock anthems makes a KISS concert truly unforgettable.

And if that isn’t enough, KISS is also bringing a new stage production along for the ride. ‘The Spider’ is 43,000kg stage installation that is powered by 38 computer controlled winches and features 220 automated lights, 900 pieces of pyrotechnics and 400,000 watts of sound. It does not get any bigger or any better than that!

KISS was founded in the early 1970s by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. The group enjoyed huge success with worldwide smash hits such as I Was Made for Lovin’ You, Detroit Rock City, Shandi, Rock and Roll All Nite, God Gave Rock and Roll To You and Shout It Out Loud.

KISS is as much known for the on-stage antics of the group’s members as the music itself. When you think of KISS, you think of fire breathing, blood spitting, fireworks and Gene Simmons’ unusually long tongue.

The group is also unique due to the elaborate make-up worn by each member. Lead singer Paul Stanley is known as the Starchild, Gene Simmons is The Demon, Eric Singer is the The Cat and Tommy Thayer is The Spaceman made famous by Space Ace, Ace Frehley.

KISS is one of the most-influential rock bands of all time and is also one of the highest selling in history. The group sold in excess of 40 million albums in the USA and more than 100 million records worldwide. In 2014 the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, one of the highest honours for a rock group.

But KISS is not content to let their past achievements be the end of their success. The group recently released a collaboration single with Japanese girl group, Momoiro Clover Z. The single, Yume no Ukiyo ni Saitemina (Samurai Son), is a major hit in Japan and has introduced KISS to a whole new generation of fans.

It is clear the larger than life rockers from KISS still have what it takes to entertain the crowds. You do not want to miss KISS’s performance at Vector Arena on October 16. My Ticketmaster presale tickets are on sale from 9am Monday March 23 and general public tickets are on sale from 9am Wednesday March 25. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.