It’s official — KISS are coming back to the stage, but this time, they’re ditching the makeup. Just over a year after their “final” performance, the legendary rock band has announced a special unmasked concert as part of the KISS Army Storms Vegas event. The three-day spectacle is set to go down from November 14 – 16, 2025, at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Image source: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kiss-plot-live-return-unmasked-las-vegas-concert-1235929672/
Why this KISS concert is a big deal
Let’s be real — when KISS announced they were hanging up their boots and iconic face paint in December 2023 at Madison Square Garden, fans were sad but not all that convinced. After all, this wasn’t the first time they’d announced a farewell tour. Their previous one was all the way back in 2001, called the KISS Farewell Tour.
But now, they’re coming back. And not just in any old way. They’re performing without the makeup that’s basically their signature look. It’s a callback to their ‘unmasked’ era that kicked off in 1983 when they released their Lick It Up album. They kept the bare-faced look until 1996, before deciding to go classic and paint up again for their Alive/Worldwide Tour.
What to expect at KISS Army Storms Vegas
The details are still under wraps, but here’s what we know so far:
- The unmasked show is the main attraction of the three-day KISS Army Storms Vegas event.
- The band last performed together at their big farewell gig in New York in December 2023.
- Fans might also get a special treat — Bruce Kulick, who played guitar for KISS from 1984 to 1996, is expected to make an appearance. No word yet on whether he’ll be playing with the band or doing a solo set, but he’s performed with them at past KISS Kruise events in 2018 and 2021.
So, why now?
It’s not like KISS has been completely quiet since their supposed final show. They’ve been planning to bring their music into the digital space starting in Las Vegas in 2027. According to Paul Stanley, they’re not just slapping a hologram up on stage and calling it a day. “It’s beyond anything that anyone else has contemplated,” he said during a chat on Billboard’s Behind the Setlist podcast in 2024.
And if you’re wondering why this November show is happening at all — it’s definitely not a case of the band running out of money or wanting to milk fans for more. According to Gene Simmons, when he swore that their 2023 performance would be the last KISS-in-makeup appearance, he meant it. So technically, they’re sticking to their word.
What else is going on with KISS?
On top of all this, Gene Simmons has his own tour planned — well, sort of. He’s postponed 17 dates to 2026. Nothing to do with his health, apparently, but he hasn’t given any real explanation. It’s also worth mentioning that Simmons has been offering fans a crazy opportunity — the chance to be his “personal assistant & band roadie for the day.” So if you’ve ever dreamed of fetching coffee and untangling guitar cables for a rock legend, here’s your shot.
The bottom line
Whether you’re a lifelong KISS fan or just someone who grew up hearing your dad blast Rock and Roll All Nite on road trips, this is big news. An unmasked concert is like catching a rare comet in the sky — it doesn’t happen often, and when it does, it’s unforgettable.
Will you be making the pilgrimage to Vegas this November to see Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer, and potentially Bruce Kulick rock out in their rawest form? One thing’s for sure: KISS Army members everywhere are already marking their calendars.
When kiss comes to Vegas in November of 2025 where are they gonna be playing at? How much are tickets? Are there any vip tickets available? If so how much?