Kiss’ Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer take a final bow on Dec. 2, 2023 in New York (photo: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Live Nation).
KISS is running it back in Las Vegas and will pay tribute to a fallen comrade along the way. The band has announced the second edition of its KISS Kruise: Land-locked in Vegas, set for Nov. 13–15 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. It follows last year’s debut event that doubled as the quartet’s first live appearances since officially retiring from touring in 2023.
That inaugural weekend marked a notable return to the stage for Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, who had closed out KISS’ long-running farewell tour just months prior. The Vegas takeover drew fans from all 50 states and more than 30 countries, with a mix of performances, fan panels, and deep-cut experiences designed to replace the traditional Kruise format with something more immersive on land.
This year’s edition expands on that blueprint. Simmons, Stanley, Thayer and Singer will again stage two “unmasked” performances, while an Ace Frehley “all-star tribute” will honor KISS’ original guitarist, who died last year. Frehley’s influence looms large over the band’s classic 1970s era, and his absence adds emotional weight to a weekend otherwise built on spectacle.
Throughout, expect the usual fan-service overload via Q&As, meet-and-greets, karaoke, tribute bands, late-night DJs and a slate of panels featuring longtime collaborators and insiders, including manager Doc McGhee. The musical lineup also boasts Night Ranger, Slaughter, Faster Pussycat, Keel and Kuarantine, along with former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick. A pre-party on Nov. 12 will feature Enuff Z’Nuff and a Frehley tribute set focused on the 50th anniversary of KISS’ Rock and Roll Over album.
Packages go on sale May 5, with tiered options that include show access, exclusive merch and photo opportunities with band members.
In related news, Simmons and Stanley recently provided the first details about KISS’ transformation into digital avatars, which will eventually anchor a live experience akin to ABBA’s Voyage in London. Stanley told Pollstar to expect “all the classics through the years and some surprises,” while Simmons broke the news that the show will feature newly penned KISS songs.
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