KISS Unveils Digital Future with Avatar Farewell Show in NYC
At Madison Square Garden, KISS bid farewell to live performances but welcomed a groundbreaking era, revealing their digital avatars in a spectacular send-off on December 2. The iconic rock band, after 50 years of physical concerts, partnered with Pophouse Entertainment Group and Industrial Light & Magic to create lifelike avatars for future performances.
The avatars, showcased in a video during the final tour’s climax, marked a collaboration pushing the boundaries of technology. In a roundtable discussion, Gene Simmons emphasized the timeless allure of their digital personas, while Paul Stanley expressed excitement about transcending music into a broader, immortalized experience. The KISS avatar shows, following the success of ABBA Voyage, promise an innovative fusion of history and technology, allowing fans to experience the band like never before.
Today, A New Era Begins. #KISSARMY, the end is only the beginning!
KISS have been immortalized and reborn as avatars to rock forever. #KISSNEWERA
WATCH NOW https://t.co/Khudwx7cud pic.twitter.com/2jz7OOmKTj
— KISS (@kiss) December 3, 2023
The farewell festivities extended beyond the stage, with the KISS NYC Takeover celebrating the band’s 50-year legacy through a series of events across the city. Mayor Eric Adams declared November 30 as KISS Day, and the Empire State Building illuminated the night with a music-to-light show set to “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
Throughout Penn Station, KISS-branded digital ads and collectible Metro Cards added to the celebratory atmosphere. Per Sundin of Pophouse Entertainment Group expressed enthusiasm for the transformative journey with KISS, emphasizing the fusion of their iconic status with cutting-edge technology. As the band embarks on this new chapter, the KISS avatars are poised to take their legendary status to unprecedented heights, ensuring the band’s legacy lives on in the digital realm.
