Page 54 - Black Velvet Issue 93

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KISS / THE DIVES - BIRMINGHAM BARCLAYCARD ARENA, 28.5.17
US glam rock legends Kiss return to our shores for their first full tour here in seven years, although this turns
out to be only three shows, due to the unfortunate cancellation of their show at Manchester Arena.
Opening act The Dives announce that this is only their second ever arena show. The four-piece from New
York may be on this tour due to singer/guitarist Evan Stanley being the eldest son of Paul, but he is also an out-
standing talent in his own right. He certainly possesses some of the Stanley traits in his posture and attitude and
has also inherited some of Paul's talent.
The band play impressive
power pop with a 60s/70s rock
vibe, with catchy melodies and
tasteful guitar solos, some courtesy
of Stanley Jr. and the rest by
equally talented guitarist/singer
Mike Lefton. Songs such as 'Make
It Like The Movies', 'Man, Oh
Mandy', 'Anticipation' and the title
track of their debut EP, 'Every-
body's Talkin'', as well as an awe-
some rendition of The Beatles'
'Don't Let Me Down', all show that
The Dives have a promising future
ahead of them.
A black curtain emblazoned
with the KISS logo encloses the
stage. The announcer screams the
customary intro, "Alright Birming-
ham, you wanted the best, you got
the best, the hottest band in the
world... KISS!" The guitar riff to
'Deuce' starts and with a deafening
bang the curtain drops to reveal
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and
Tommy Thayer descending from
the lighting rig on a silver metal
platform with clouds of smoke bil-
lowing out from underneath, while
drummer Eric Singer descends on
a similar platform behind them. The
crowd go wild as the three gui-
tarists set foot onto the stage and
straightaway Paul runs to the front
to start posing for photographers
with his specially-made England
flag guitar. Sing-along anthem
'Shout It Out Loud' raises the en-
ergy levels and gets the crowd
singing along at the tops of their
lungs. After the song finishes, Paul
greets the audience, promising a
great night ahead, but first he pays
a touching tribute to the people of
Manchester. The arena falls silent
as the band members bow their
heads for a moment of silence. The
vintage classic 'Firehouse' sees
Gene perform his fire-breathing act,
while 'Shock Me' features Tommy
on lead vocals. During his guitar
solo he fires rockets from the end
of his guitar.
A Kiss show is always the ulti- up into the rafters where he sings high into the air above the crowd, asks who is experiencing their first
mate in entertainment and barely a his trademark anthem, 'God Of so much so that it looks like a bliz- Kiss concert tonight and the
song goes by without some form of Thunder'. 'Crazy Crazy Nights' zard. Towards the end of the song amount of raised hands is surpris-
pyro, sparks or flames or a band gives the crowd another opportu- Gene and Tommy climb onto ingly large, showing that the band
member doing one of their signa- nity to sing along enthusiastically, cranes and are swung up into the are certainly passing on the legend
ture gimmicks. The seldom-played as does 'Say Yeah', then it's time air out over the audience, while of Kiss to future generations. He
'Flaming Youth' keeps the diehards for Paul's spotlight moment: he sparks and pyro go off at the back says that you never forget your first
happy, before the dark, heavy rum- climbs onto a trapeze-like zip-wire of the stage and Paul carries out Kiss, and this was definitely a night
blings of Gene's effects-laden bass and flies out over the audience to a his tradition of smashing his guitar that all the fans present, young and
solo fill the arena as he looks men- small circular platform at the back at the front to end the song. As the old, will never forget. Kiss may be
acingly out at the crowd, bathed in of the arena to perform 'Psycho main show ends the audience is nearing the end of their glittering
green light, building up the anticipa- Circus'. He then starts up his solo left breathless. career but here's hoping that we
tion prior to what is arguably the ul- intro to 'Black Diamond', before fly- Kiss soon return to play 'I Was get to see them back in the UK be-
timate part of a Kiss show for many ing back to the main stage while Made For Lovin’ You' before the fore they hang up their giant plat-
fans: he shakes his head from side Eric Singer gets his turn to shine on timeless Kiss classic 'Detroit Rock form boots for good.
to side, dribbling first trickles, then lead vocals. The final chant-along City' sends the Kiss Army into a YYYYY
a stream of blood down his chin party anthem 'Rock And Roll All frenzy one last time before even Ian Trigg
and his chest. His solo climaxes Nite' starts up and enormous more pyro and flames bring the Gene Simmons (KISS)
with him rapidly being hoisted high amounts of white confetti are shot night to a thunderous climax. Paul Photo By Shari Black Velvet
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