KISS ROCKS VEGAS!

On the chance that you’ve never attended or perhaps never heard of Fathom Events you’re missing out on something fun. The company puts on special screenings in theaters across the country of various events that bring everything from classical opera to riffing on bad movies by pros to classic movies brought to the big screen once more. The only down side to note is that to discover what is coming you have to visit their web site or sign up for word about upcoming events.

I was fortunate enough to attend a recent showing they had at the nearby Regal Coldwater Crossing Stadium 14. The show this time around? KISS ROCKS VEGAS. In the latter part of 2014 the rock band KISS took up residence at the famed Hard Rock Café in Las Vegas. When a band does this it usually means that they appear there for an extended period of time rather than tour across the country. Fans can then flock in for a few days to take advantage of Vegas and attend a show by their favorite artists at the same time, in this case KISS.

The way Fathom Events handles this is to sell tickets to the one time only performance/screening. In this case the cost was $15 per ticket which may seem high but not quite when you consider the cost of a live performance for the band or the fact that in some cities the band won’t be performing nearby (not so here as KISS is coming to Ft. Wayne in the near future). What you end up with is seeing what amounts to a live video taped performance, much like the videos for sale at stores across the country for bands, but on a huge screen rather than your TV. Add to that a more than likely louder sound system and you have as close to an actual performance as you can get.

This particular show opened with a short film of the band discussing how they came to choose this location, the set design that was developed for them there and how it differed from the stadium/arena shows they are known for. The venue is nowhere near as large as those so several things had to be toned down and new items added to make up the difference. The end result is a spectacular stage show that equals if not rivals their bigger shows. Large screens on both sides of the stage, screens the move up the back and out over the front audience, a scaffold halfway back in the venue and the assorted flash pots, flamethrowers, sparklers and confetti cannons make for an eye opening experience.

Once the short film is finished we get the opening credits and the band being brought in by helicopter s the now familiar “You wanted the best, you got the best. The hottest band in the land…KISS!” announced as the stage front parts and the band files out to the steady driving beat of “Detroit Rock City”. Decked out in their leather costumes with the famed kabuki style makeup the band dives right into a lively performance of some of their greatest hits. At only an hour and a half the odds are a few favorites might not make it but those that do remain memorable for fans.

Following songs in order were “Creatures of the Night”, “Psycho Circus”, “Parasite”, “War Machine” during Gene Simmons offered his fire breathing skills to perfection, “Tears Are Falling”, “Deuce”, “Lick It Up” which featured a masterful combining of the classic riff from the Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” solo. They continued on with “I Love It Loud”, “Hell or Hallelujah” and then into “God of Thunder” during which Simmons once again took center stage to pull off his blood spitting/flying demon persona for fans in wait. Next up was “Do You Love Me” and “Love Gun” during which Paul Stanley was hoisted to the catwalk in the middle of the venue to sing and perform in a more up close moment for fans. The show ends with “Black Diamond” before the band comes out to do a two song encore with “Shout It Out Loud” and “Rock and Roll All Night”.

Early on Simmons comments about how fortunate the band is to have the fans they do, how after 40 years their songs had touched so many lives and become the inspiration for memories of those fans. I can relate as I listened to that final song and remembered cruising the streets with my cassette deck blaring “Rock and Roll All Night” to a cool summer breeze.

If this show happens to play again I would suggest fans making a point to be there. It’s sad to report that there was only a crowd of 12-15 people in attendance but again I mark that up to lack of advertising. Upcoming events include screenings of the original GHOSTBUSTERS, WILLIE WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the original PLANET OF THE APES, THE KING AND I, ANIMAL HOUSE, THE LABYRINTH, DR. STRANGELOVE and THE SHINING. Another concert is on tap with the final performance of Motley Crue. Upcoming operas include Tosca, La Boheme, and Cosi Fan Tutte. Individual events include the 2016 Drum and Bugle Corp competition, a National Theater live performance of FRANKENTSTEIN and a Mystery Science Theater 3000 Reunion show. Check out more information at www.fathomevents.com.