Hellfest 2023 / KISS

After years of touring the world KISS has finally reached the end of the road and this last time in France has been the gig of a lifetime. Last night they headline Hellfest 2023 and left no stone unturned with old tracks, older tracks, and oldest tracks… what a show!

Some bands have classic tunes and KISS has loads to choose from but they delivers awesome versions of Lick it Up, War Machine, God of Thunder like on their prime. It’s hard to believe that Paul and Gene are in their seventies, but the show, the performance and the theatrics are still in top form, quite unbelievable.

Even though Paul Stanley is the de facto frontman, it was Gene Simonds that stole the show with excellent renditions of his songs, while Paul struggled with his voice (again bear in mind that singing very high notes at 70+ might be a little tricky), Gene was imperious and his growl balances Paul’s weakness. All in all a masterclass in showmanship from the “boys” from New York.

From the opening notes of “Detroit Rock City” to the closing chords of “Rock n roll All Night Nite” we have been treated to a show of display of professionalism and taste. Paul’s destroyed Washburn was the exclamation point of the night, What a sending off. Merci KISS.