End Of The Road World Tour Part II – "Das ist schön Liebchen"
Quite exactly 3 years ago, on June 3, 2019, I was lucky enough to take part in the End Of The Road World Tour as editor and photographer to witness a legend bid farewell at Essen Stadium. Back then I thought it would be my first and last time ever to see KISS playing live. In point of fact, the tour went on so extremely successful (in cash rolling in) that KISS decided to do a second trip around the globe to say goodbye, interrupted for three years by a certain virus.
And here we are. The end is nigh. Once and for all. So they say. One last time notorious and legendary hard rockers KISS entered European shores to set arenas under fire. Tonight’s show at :: Westfalenhalle Dortmund :: is the first one of 24 shows during their final European part. Germans can look forward to more spectacles in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart.
And I am more than happy that I’m once again allowed to do the best job ever: to write about the show and to photograph the band. Call me Cheshire cat ;)
Quite excited and kind of nervous I hit the road towards Dortmund. It is not my first show but somehow I felt unprepared and as if I had forgotten something. Seems like I’m not used to the routines anymore ;) The traffic chaos around the Westfalenhalle was as expected. Same went for door procedures and safety regulations. What I did not expect was the new price for parking: 8 Euro. Well, inflation happens everywhere. Also the merchandise pricing was steep. The cheapest shirt was 45 Euro and even for a simple tote bag you had to fork out 25 Euro. And though, the merch was sold like hot cakes.
Around 11.500 fans followed the last call; many of them beautifully dressed in the KISS style. I have also seen many kids – well, it would be the very last chance to see KISS live.
The venue was very close to be sold out. A few tickets were left at the box office, yet, some seats inside remained empty. Three years ago it was an open air spectacle, now, the band went indoor and I was curious if the stage show would be the same.
:: pics :: THE NEW ROSES ::
To support KISS would be a huge opportunity for German rockers :: THE NEW ROSES ::. At least for their egos. Which band can state to have opened for the hottest band in the world? ;) Of course, it is also a big chance to increase popularity and the fan base, although it would be a tough job to please 11.500 KISS fans. Yes, there have also been THE NEW ROSES fans, who tried to attract some attention with screams and noise. At the end, the majority of attendees clapped hands to be rather polite.
Well, the difference between both bands couldn’t be bigger when it comes to entertainment, live performance and show settings. Compared to the kings, THE NEW ROSES would be the wallflowers. On the other hand, KISS probably would not recruit a band that could upstage and outshine them.
Sound and light was average. Tim Rough and his boys looked rather lost on the huge stage, in this huge hall, in front of so many people, and acted rather pale and way too tame.
THE NEW ROSES is a band to play highly energetic shows in clubs. I know that well, I already experienced such shows.
The band has announced a new record for a fall release, followed by a tour through German clubs. Check out the band’s website for the tour dates and ticket sales.
Band: Timmy Rough (vox), Dizzy Presley (git), Hardy (bass), Urban Berz (drums)
:: pics :: KISS ::
The usual break and the long waiting for :: KISS ::.
As mentioned, it is the first show of the European itinerary and it seemed, some things did not go smooth. Seems, also the professionals lost their flow during the last two years. I’m not the only one ;)
Right and left to the stage there were huge blown up KISS figures. Paul and Gene to the left, Eric and Tommy to the right. Eric was shrinking during the show, which caused some pointed remarks and laughter. With a 20 minutes delay the Led Zeppelin intro Rock And Roll thundered out of the speakers and the curtain fell, while Stanley, Simmons and Thayer descended from the rafters.
"You wanted the best, you got the best"
Literally! I tell you! The old geezers, now in their 70s and 60s, were in best mood, in best shape and were up to give us their very best show. Yeah, seems like the two years break did them well ;) KISS absolutely nailed it!
Production and stage setting were the same as I witnessed three years ago. It’s truly a spectacle, most of all a visual experience, once again brilliantly staged. KISS doesn’t spare cash to put on the show. There have been hydraulic stages, blood, sparks-shooting guitars, lasers, confetti, balloons, and so many pyrotechnics and fireworks. Stanley also flew on a zip wire to the center of the audience while Love Gun was played.
The stage was quite low, so, in the back one could only follow the show via the huge screens, unless you wore, much KISS-like, 30cm plateau shoes or were 2m+ tall.
Later, when I moved from the photo pit to the back I found the sound pretty lame. A bit more punch’n’power would not have done any harm ;)
Paul Stanley once again tried to impress the crowd with his German language abilities, learnt from his Berlin-based mother. That was cute ;) Stanley also told that it is the sixth time visiting Dortmund. Seems like the Americans like Germany and the Ruhr area.
Meanwhile Gene Simmons drooled most time of the show, because he had his tongue out and practiced subtle and not so subtle lewdness ;) Guitarist Tommy Thayer again seems to be someone that gets lost all the time between Simmons and Stanley. Although he is in the band for 20 years now, he is still like a ghost. And Eric Singer is hardly to be seen behind his huge drum kit by nature. Only when the drum stage raises.
The setlist has hardly changed. Two songs have been replaced: Tears Are Falling instead of Let Me Go, Rock'N'Roll and Do You Love Me instead of Crazy Crazy Nights during the encore. And a few songs have changed its order.
Of course, the show was professional and choreographed to the core, without space for spontaneous interaction and stuff. KISS truly gave their best this night and was frenetically celebrated by the crowd for that. Let’s see how the show turns out in two months, when they finish their European leg in Amsterdam.
One little downer was the fact that VIP ticket holders were unleashed into the photo pit, before the photographers were allowed to get in. Was a tough job for us to get in-between them and the camera people for some shots.
What a phenomenal show! Once again. I have seen them twice by now. That’s fine. Another band to check off my wish list ;) As for me, facing their 50th band anniversary (which actually screams for at least one more show), KISS can well-deserved retire. Oh, watch the cams during their very last show in Sacramento, if they really cry like a 12 years old girl (as Simmons mentioned in an interview) ;)
KISS LOVES YOU DORTMUND
"We wanted the best, we got the best"
Band: Paul Stanley (vox, git), Gene Simmons (bass), Tommy Thayer (git), Eric Singer (drums)
Setlist: Rock And Roll (Intro, Led Zeppelin), Detroit Rock City, Shout It Out Loud, Deuce, War Machine, Heaven's On Fire, I Love It Loud, Say Yeah, Cold Gin, Guitar Solo Tommy, Lick It Up, Calling Dr. Love, Tears Are Falling, Psycho Circus, Drum Solo Eric, 100,000 Years, Bass Solo Gene, God Of Thunder, Love Gun, I Was Made For Lovin' You, Black Diamond // Beth, Do You Love Me, Rock And Roll All Nite, God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You II (Outro)
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