KISS Party with Their Fans One Final Time at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena [Photos]

Of course, we’ve all joked about this being KISS’ third final-ever tour but, this time, it really does feel like this is going to be the last time we’re going to see the rock icons in all their glory. With band connections stating that these really will be the last shows KISS play, it would seem foolish not to join them for one rock and roll party. And what a party!

Joining them were London rockers The Wild Things, a band fronted by actress/singer Sydney Rae White and Welsh ragga-rockers Skindred. While the latter seemed an odd fit to support the Glam rock superstars, the former were definitely more in tune with the KISS audience. Blasts of attitude-filled rock anthems like “Drunk Again” woke the crowd to life making sure the early arrivers weren’t left disappointed.

Now, as much as everyone loves Skindred, they probably wouldn’t have been your first choice as Special Guests for KISS. But… and it’s a big but. We all know that whenever Benji and Co are in town, they certainly bring the party and this evening was no exception.

With a voice to match his larger-than-life personality, Benji grabs the audience and shakes them into life with Skindred faves like “That’s My Jam” and “Warning,” the latter complete with a surprisingly energetic “Newport Helicopter,” lapped up by a crowd who were now suitably ready for their returning heroes.

As that all too familiar battle cry of “You wanted the best! You got the best…” rings out around the arena and the quartet drop from the roof of the arena to a backdrop of pyrotechnic mayhem, KISS are going to make sure they rock this crowd like they have done every other crowd for the last fifty+ years.

Of course, the whole spectacle is absolutely bonkers and completely ludicrous but that’s why they’ve made a career out of it for fifty years. The band knows what the fans want, the fans lap it up and everyone heads home happy. Opening with “Detroit Rock City” straight into “Shout It Out Loud,” there is very little different song-wise on the setlist but, at this stage in the game, you don’t expect surprises from a KISS show. You expect hits which the band spit out at a ridiculous pace and you expect theatrics.

And KISS gives you both in abundance. You get Gene Simmons shooting up to the top of the arena spitting blood. You get Paul Stanley flying out over the crowd on a zip wire and you get a barrage of over-the-top solos and eyebrow-removing pyrotechnics. Amongst all that, you get the hits. “God of Thunder,” “Heaven’s On Fire,” “I Love It Loud,” “Calling Dr. Love,” and “Love Gun” have been staples in the show for year and tonight is no different.

While it would be fair to say that, at this stage in the game, KISS could probably play this show with their eyes closed. However, as frontman Paul Stanley recalls one of their very early visits to Newcastle and asks the crowd to make this a special night as it will be the last time they ever play in the city, you get the feeling that this really is it. If that is the case and this was the last the iconic quartet party in this parts, both the packed-out crowd and the band made sure this was going to be a night to remember.

KISS (w/ Skindred, The Wild Things) @ Utilita Arena (Newcastle, UK) on June 6th, 2023

54 photos