Las Vegas,NV – Kiss launched their return to the stage after a two-year hiatus wiht a special acoustic performance at the Kiss Kruise Vegas on Friday night,opening with a tribute to founding guitarist Ace Frehley. The band played a stripped-down, 11-song setlist, including a rendition of “Comin’ Home” from their Hotter Than hell album.
The intimate show marked the first performance for Kiss since pausing touring in 2022 and served as a warm-up for a full-band electric concert scheduled for Saturday night. The event was especially poignant as Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley used the occasion to spotlight their sons, Nick and Evan, who are preparing to release their debut album. both bandmates enthusiastically praised the younger duo’s musical efforts, with Stanley stating, “This is not a paid proclamation… Wait until you hear Nick and Evan’s album, it’s incredible. It’s hard to believe they came from us!”
Throughout the evening, Kiss engaged with the audience, with Simmons acknowledging the importance of seeing familiar faces in the crowd, saying it “means a lot to us.” The band also treated fans to impromptu covers of The Beatles’ “I’ll Be back” and Redbone’s ”Come and Get Your Love” between their own hits. Despite initial reservations, lead guitarist Tommy thayer ultimately agreed to close the show with “love Her All I Can,” even with concerns about translating the song’s solo to an acoustic format. Stanley playfully warned the audience, “This may suck, but we’ll make it up to you tomorrow night,” but the performance was well-received.
Kiss kruise Vegas Unplugged Setlist:
- “Comin’ Home”
- “See You Tonite”
- “A World without Heroes”
- “Hard Luck Woman”
- “Christine Sixteen”
- “Nothin’ to Lose”
- “Goin’ Blind”
- “Hide Your Heart”
- “Plaster Caster”
- “beth”
- “Love Her All I Can”
