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KEITH URBAN ANNOUNCES AUGUST 2025 SHOWS FOR HIS ‘HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR’

ANNOUNCES AUGUST 2025 SHOWS FOR HIS

HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 1PM, FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER, 2024

NEW ALBUM HIGH RELEASED SEPTEMBER 20 – PRE-ORDER HERE

Five-time ARIA and four-time GRAMMY© Award winner Keith Urban has confirmed his anticipated Australian tour dates, part of the HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR. Urban’s concerts are once in a lifetime events, that critics have referred to as, “ones not to be missed.” The 9 arena shows for August 2025, featuring opener Chase Matthew, one of country music’s boldest emerging voices, are Urban’s first Australian concerts since December 2022.

HIGH AND ALIVE WORLD TOUR gets underway at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on 13 August 2025 and includes shows in Brisbane, Wollongong, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Tickets go on sale at 1pm local time, Friday 13 September. Please visit keithurban.com.

This exciting news follows the recent announcement of his new album HIGH, to be released on September 20 via EMI Music Australia. The tour will be the first opportunity for Australia to hear live versions of new songs from HIGH, including “Wildside,” “Straight Line,” “Go Home W U,” with Lainey Wilson and “Messed Up As Me,” as well as #1 hits including “One Too Many,” (with P!nk) “Wasted Time,” “Somebody Like You,” “Parallel Line,” “The Fighter,” (with Carrie Underwood) and “Long Hot Summer.”

Urban is one of Australia’s most coveted live acts. Over the last ten years, he has sold more than half a million concert tickets in Australia. His two-hour plus shows are power packed with an energy and showmanship that makes him one of the music industry’s best live performers.

KEITH URBAN

“HIGH WORLD TOUR”

AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES 2025

Wednesday 13 August Newcastle, Newcastle Entertainment Centre

Friday 15 August Brisbane, Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Saturday 16 August Brisbane, Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Wednesday 20 August Wollongong, WIN Entertainment Centre

Friday 22 August Sydney, Qudos Bank Arena

Saturday 23 August Sydney, Qudos Bank Arena

Monday 25 August Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena

Tuesday 26 August Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena

Thursday 28 August Adelaide – Adelaide Entertainment Centre

THE VILLE FAN CLUB PRE-SALE

9am Tuesday 10 September – 12pm Friday 13 September (local)

TELSTRA PLUS PRE-SALE

11am Tuesday 10 September – 11am Thursday 12 September [local]

FOXTEL PRE-SALE

12pm Thursday 12 September – 12pm Thursday 19 September [local]

TEG LIVE, TICKETEK, VENUES PRE-SALE

12pm Thursday 12 September – 12pm Friday 13 September [local]

GENERAL PUBLIC ON-SALE

1pm Friday 13 September (local time)

For tickets and further information, please visit keithurban.com

FOLLOW KEITH URBAN

www.keithurban.net

facebook.com/keithurban

instagram.com/keithurban

youtube.com/keithurban

twitter.com/keithurban

ABOUT KEITH URBAN

Keith Urban has spent the better part of his life harnessing a deep-seated passion for music. This, when combined with his authenticity, talent and driving musical inquisitiveness, helps to understand why he is one of the most successful and well-respected artists in the world. He’s won four GRAMMY© Awards, thirteen CMAs (including 2x Entertainer of the Year), fifteen ACMs, three AMAs, two People’s Choice Awards and celebrated nine consecutive gold, platinum or multi-platinum albums.

September 20th will mark the release of Keith Urban’s HIGH – a musical journey, intentionally sequenced through themes of what it is to be alive, human connection, cutting loose, huge hook chorus’, hope, nostalgia, shredding solos, straight-up fun and some personal life revelations. Songs from HIGH debuted in January with the release of “Straight Line,” “Messed Up As Me,” “Wildside,” and the album’s current single, “GO HOME W U,” with Lainey Wilson.

Urban returns to Las Vegas for “KEITH URBAN’S HIGH” in Vegas, ten exclusive shows to take place at the Fountainebleau Las Vegas. The announced shows will take place in October (4, 5, 9, 11 and 12) and February (14, 15, 19 21 and 22) 2025. These performances will include the premiere of many of the new songs set for release, as well as many of his of 24 #1 songs including “Blue Ain’t Your Color”, “Wasted Time”, “Somebody Like You” and “Long Hot Summer”.

Urban consistently reminds music lovers around the globe why he is one of the world’s best live performers. His concerts have become legendary – as unpredictable as they are explosive. An experience of emotion, musical texture, energy and showmanship.

ABOUT CHASE MATTHEW

Warner Music Nashville’s Chase Matthew continues to make his case as one of Country’s boldest emerging voices with his GOLD-certified, Top 10-and-climbing debut single “Love You Again” and brand-new EP Always Be Mine. The rising star began his career by blazing an independent trail, leveraging an infectious country-or-nothing personality, rowdy live performances, and authentic music built around his low-slung vocal twang. Amassing 1 BILLION+ global career streams and his first PLATINUM-certified smash with “County Line,” the Music City native has been named “One to Watch” by HITS and is touring this summer with headline shows, major festivals, and dates supporting Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan.

ABOUT TEG LIVE

TEG Live is a dynamic and diverse promoter of live content operating in many genres, including music, sport, family entertainment, esports, and exhibitions. TEG Live connects millions of fans every year with unique live experiences and adds value to events with hospitality, partnership, and sponsorship services.

TEG Live is owned by TEG, a global leader in live entertainment, ticketing, digital and data which sits at the heart of the live event experience for millions of fans. TEG operates globally and includes TEG Live, TEG Sport, TEG Rugby Live, TEG Experiences, TEG Dainty, TEG Van Egmond, TEG MJR, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, TEG Europe, TEG Asia, TEG USA, Qudos Bank Arena, Ticketek, Ovation, Fan+, VIP NOW and SXSW Sydney.

For more information: http://www.teglive.com.au

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THE KID LAROI ANNOUNCES NEW SHOW DATES FOR NOVEMBER 2024 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS QUAVO AND ONEFOUR, TICKETS ON SALE THURS 8 AUGUST

Australia’s own multi-platinum chart-topping global superstar The Kid LAROI has today shared his re-routed national Australian tour for November 2024, with two additional show dates set for Brisbane and Hobart. Armed with his debut studio album THE FIRST TIME and having just dropped the hit new single Girls, LAROI’s forthcoming national tour will also see the Sydney-hailing superstar’s iconic friends, Quavo and ONEFOUR jump on the tour with him (excluding Gold Coast and Hobart shows).

Presented by TEG Live, this mammoth Aussie run will commence on November 11 at Gold Coast Home of the Arts, before traversing Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, finishing up in Melbourne with shows at Rod Laver on November 29 and 30.

Tickets to THE FIRST TIME shows will go on sale to the general public on Thursday 8 August at 1pm local from ticketek.com.au, with an exclusive 48 hour artist presale live from Tuesday 6 August at 1pm (password FIRSTTIME).

Thrilled to be bringing his tour back to home turf, LAROI says, “I’m really excited to confirm the November tour dates and bring my show to Australia. It’s going to be incredible to perform back home and share this experience with all of you. I’m also pumped to announce that Quavo will be joining the tour as a special guest. Can’t wait to see you guys and make this tour unforgettable!”

Expanding on the homegrown hero’s first-ever headline Australian tour in 2022, which saw LAROI add multiple extra arena shows due to overwhelming demand, these upcoming 2024 shows will also give his legion of fans a chance to witness some of LAROI’s most iconic hits from his 2021 ARIA Award-winning collab with Justin Bieber, Stay, to his near on 1 billion streamed smash, Without You, to his genre-blurring 2022 track Thousand Miles, his 2023 chart-burner Love Again and of course his latest hit single, Girls. The tour will also showcase LAROI’s most personal and musically complex statement to date in the form of his brand new album THE FIRST TIME, boasting 20 new songs from the revered Aussie export alongside his trademark amalgamation of hip hop, pop, alternative and indie flavours.

Supporting LAROI on the tour will be his pal, American rapper, singer, producer and global icon, Quavo. The Migos frontman has reached celebrity status the world over, with a number of acclaimed Migos and solo album releases under his belt, he has performed alongside Madonna at the Eurovision finale in 2019, and amassed Billboard 100 Top Ten Singles with Post Malone on Congratulations, Justin Bieber’s Intentions, Liam Payne’s Strip That Down, Drake’s Portland, and DJ Khaled’s No Brainer, and only last month releasing Tough with Lana Del Ray.

The pioneers of drill music in Australia, Sydney’s ONEFOUR will also be hitting the road with LAROI, offering a hugely rare opportunity to see drill and rap group live on stage, having only performed live a handful of times over the decade since they formed, including at LAROI’s 2022 Sydney show when he pulled them on stage, and Listen Out Festival last year.

A maiden full-length album from The Kid LAROI, aka Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, THE FIRST TIME follows on from the rapper’s debut 2020 mixtape F*ck Love, with LAROI rebranding his sound into a style befitting of his international celebrity status, while also ultimately serving up one of the most anticipated albums of last year. Featuring guest appearances from Jungkook and Central Cee on the single Too Much, Baby Drill and Future on What’s the Move?, Robert Glasper and YoungBoy Never on Call Me Instead, and D4vd on The Line, THE FIRST TIME is a technicolour celebration of collaboration and unwavering creativity, traversing the famed Kamilaroi artist’s professional and creative journey, catapulting to stardom alongside his earlier work with Juice Wrld, the 2021 smash single Stay alongside Justin Bieber, and the mixtape that started it all, F*ck Love in 2020.

THE FIRST TIME album has amassed over 1.2 billion streams globally and debuted at #3 ARIA Album chart (#1 ARIA Australian Album), #7 in New Zealand, Top 20 in Canada/Denmark, and top 30 in the US and UK, while its singles TOO MUCH and LOVE AGAIN both hit the top 10 ARIA singles chart and became radio mainstays. Both singles also cracked the triple j Hottest 100, as did the fan favourite single BLEED (which LAROI says is his favourite song he has ever written). NIGHTS LIKE THIS went viral on Tik Tok earlier this year with streams surpassing 100M million. LOVE AGAIN also saw LAROI nominated for two APRA Awards and two ARIA Awards including ‘Best Solo Artist’ and ‘Song of the Year’, LAROI was the #2 Most Streamed Australian Artist for 2023 on Spotify, and earlier this year, LAROI unveiled his documentary Kids Are Growing Up. Furthermore,The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) just last week announced a new award recognising homegrown success, with LAROI taking out the inaugural Australian Chart #1 Awards with his song Girls.

In a swelteringly short space of time, LAROI has taken the world by storm, with two nominations in 2022 at the Grammy Awards, for Best New Artist and also for his work on Justin Bieber’s sixth full length Justice, three wins and multiple nominations at the ARIA Music Awards, Billboard Award wins, and a National Indigenous Music Award alongside his ever-expanding repertoire, as well as his dominating online and pop culture presence. Currently in command of over 43 million monthly listeners on Spotify, over 2 billion views on YouTube, a single, Forever & Again, featured on the official soundtrack for the defining cinematic moment of 2023, Barbie, and a recent 31 date North American run alongside Lil Baby, LAROI’s effortless talent and raw charisma is only matched by his enamouring onstage presence; a fact which permeates vividly whether LAROI is performing at the likes of Coachella or commanding a crowd for his own sold out headline shows. And with two years now chalked up since his last performances on home soil, 2024 is set to fittingly celebrate THE FIRST TIME for the very first time in a run of unforgettable nights across Australia.

Tickets to THE FIRST TIME Australian tour go on sale Thursday 8 August from 1pm local time.

THE KID LAROI THE FIRST TIME AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2024
*SUPPORTED BY QUAVO AND ONEFOUR

MON 11 NOV | GOLD COAST HOME OF THE ARTS, QLD | ALL AGES
THU 14 NOV | BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, QLD | ALL AGES*
SAT 16 NOV | SYDNEY COMMBANK STADIUM, NSW | ALL AGES*
WED 20 NOV | PERTH RAC ARENA, WA | ALL AGES*
SUN 24 NOV | ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, SA | ALL AGES*
WED 27 NOV | HOBART MYSTATE BANK ARENA, TAS | ALL AGES
FRI 29 NOV + SAT 30 NOV | MELBOURNE ROD LAVER ARENA, VIC | ALL AGES*

General public tickets will go on sale on Thursday 8 August at 1pm local time at ticketek.com.au
Existing ticket holders for the previously scheduled February tour will be contacted by Ticketek via email with instructions on how to redeem their tickets for the new shows. Existing ticket holders who cannot attend the new dates should contact Ticketek.

THE FIRST TIME IS OUT NOW VIA COLUMBIA RECORDS
WITH FEATURES FROM CENTRAL CEE, D4VD, FUTURE, JUNG KOOK, ROBERT GLASPER,
YOUNGBOY NEVER BROKE AGAIN & MORE

LIVE SHOTS HERE
LISTEN HERE

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[Review] Midland @ Forum Theatre, Melbourne 01/09/2023

Review By Terri Nas

As I wandered up Flinders Street towards the Forum theatre last Friday night, I was met with a sea of plaid shirts, Stetson hats, rhinestones, cowboy boots and Ringers Western apparel as far as the eye could see. Having not been to many country music gigs, I wondered what kind of night I was in for when I noticed a number of patrons getting refused entry due to pre-gaming a little too hard before hitting up the gig. 

One thing was for sure though, these people were here for a good time, and it was up to Austin-based country trio Midland to provide the goods. The band are currently touring Australia with their headline show, having not been down under since 2019. 

The drinks were flowing and the theatre was abuzz with excitement, awaiting the arrival of the support act in the form of Australian country singer, Travis Collins. Exclaiming that this was his first time playing at the Forum, Collins then proceeded on with his 30-minute acoustic set that included his new song Offended (which his record company weren’t so keen on due to its cheeky lyrics), and an energetic cover of John Denver’s Thank God I’m A Country Boy which had the whole crowd singing and stomping along. Despite Collins explaining that he felt a little lost being alone on stage without his full band, he was still excellent and a great way to start the night. 

Soon enough it was time for the main event. Enter: Midland. The trio comprising of Mark Wystrach (lead vocals & guitar), Jess Carson (guitar & vocals) & Cameron Duddy (bass guitar & vocals) emerged from the stage accompanied by their 4-piece backing back. They kicked off their set with If I Lived Here which got the crowd riled up for the evening. 

Mr Lonely had everyone up and dancing and singing along, followed by the heartbreak tale Out Of Sight. The rocking riff of 21st Century Honky Tonk American Band fired up and it was hard not to move along to its beat. The band explained that they’d been flat out since arriving in Australia, but that they felt right at home here because “in Australia y’all love getting fucked up on a Friday night”. If you’ve ever fallen victim to a big night out in Austin, Texas where the band resides, then you know that these boys definitely would feel at home here and that they would know how to party. This led into their aptly named hit Playboy which featured on their second album, Let It Roll. 

We were treated to a few covers during their set including the Garth Brooks tune, Much Too Young and the 70’s hit The Boys Are Back In Town, made famous by the legendary Thin Lizzy. When the opening bars of Men At Work’s Down Under rang out through the crowd, the audience were singing every word with all of the patriotism they could muster. 

The audience were loving every second as they sang along about living Paycheck To Paycheck and then said Adios Cowboy. We got 2 more covers in the form of Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell, and then it was “A long way to go and a short time to get there” as we were East Bound And Down (made famous by Jerry Reed). To close off their set we were “watchin’ cigarettes Burn Out”, which the crowd lapped up with every note. 

Of course, the night couldn’t possibly be over after their departure at the conclusion of Burn Out, so an encore was on the cards for this rowdy and fired up crowd. Longneck Way To Go kicked off the encore followed closely by my favourite Drinkin’ Problem. The crowd were on a high when we were then bid adieu with Fourteen Gears

I really enjoyed my first offical country music gig, and with their sweet harmonies and authentic honky tonk sound I felt like I’d been transported back to Austin, Texas and was bar hopping on the “Dirty 6th”. Absorbing the energy from the audience was an experience in itself, and I was thoroughly entertained by some of the shenanigans I witnessed. A great night all round and I think it’s fair to say every single punter there had the best time possible. See you next time, Midland!  

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[Review] KISS @ Adelaide Entertainment Center, Adelaide 30/8/2022

Without a doubt, KISS was THE band that started it all for me. My obsession with rock music, the way that I dress, even the majority of my friends today…pretty much everything in my life can be traced back to KISS.

As a very young kid when KISS were at their peak of popularity in Australia, they were impossible to miss. They were everywhere! Everyone seemed to be listening to KISS as they were all over the TV, radio, and on the covers of so many magazines! At school, we were all trading KISS cards, eating Kiss ice-blocks and had their posters on our walls at home.

When KISS first toured here in 1980, I still recall being devastated that I was too young to go see them and nobody would take me.

Despite Kiss-mania being a relatively short-lived phenomenon in Australia (they were pretty uncool to most people about a year after their first visit here), I remained a fan for life.

Even though I’ve since seen KISS many times over the years, since missing that first visit here, I was very excited to see that they would be returning to the country for their End of The Road Tour. Initially, Australia wasn’t included on the band’s farewell tour schedule, but thanks to that pesky virus you may have heard about, the whole tour was postponed and then rescheduled with Aussie tour dates added! Thanks Covid 19!

Arriving at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on the night, it was impossible not to feel the sense of occasion! Of course, there were fans dressed up as their favourite member of Kiss, complete with make-up and elaborate costumes, and plenty of fans just sporting the make-up with their casual jeans and rock T-shirts on.

As is often the case, a KISS concert evokes a vibe that’s like a cross between a rock show and a visit to the circus. It’s fantastic!

By the time the doors to the venue were opened, the gig was completely sold out! There were even quite a few people outside the box office holding up signs to let people know they were after tickets. It was good to see KISS were getting a proper send-off in Adelaide.

Inside the lobby everyone seemed to be buzzing with excitement. By the time I got down to the front of the stage with beer in hand, I was really feeling it myself.

Opening the show was Adelaide’s own The SuperJesus. I was very excited for them (and maybe slightly jealous) as I’ve known these guys for years and know how thrilled they were to be playing on the same stage as KISS. Obviously playing to a room full of KISS fans waiting to see their larger-than-life idols on stage could potentially be a tough gig, the band were up for the challenge for sure. They sounded tight and had a big enough sound to win over the crowd early on in their set. They blitzed their way through some of their best-known songs including Down Again, Secret Agent Man, and ending their set with Gravity, with frontwoman Sarah Mc Leod doing a great job of encouraging audience participation and making the most of the large stage. They did a great job of warming up the crowd for KISS.

Not long after this support set, the giant KISS banner was erected in front of the stage, adding to the anticipation in the room. Anyone who’s been to a KISS gig knows that when that curtain drops…a whole new world is revealed.

As time ticked down to the appearance of KISS, classic rock anthems blasted out from the P.A. getting the full room pumped up for the main event. Through AC/DCs Thunderstruck and Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll…the anticipation grew, until…those famous words echoed out loudly across the Entertainment Centre…’You wanted the best…you GOT the best…the hottest band in the world…KISS!!!!!!’

The curtain dropped right on queue and BANG!!! It was on! Lights, smoke, giant flames, fireworks…the larger-than-life band members dropping from the ceiling on giant robotic platforms…THIS is why KISS is synonymous with over-the-top rock n roll theatrics! Within the first thirty seconds of the show, you’re bombarded with everything you could expect from a big rock concert and more. 

To be honest, despite being a big KISS fan, before the gig I wasn’t 100% excited knowing what their set list would likely look like. KISS tend to stick to a fairly similar set of their best known hits, songs which I often skip when listening to Kiss as I’ve heard them all a million times over the years.

However, as soon as that curtain dropped and the opening to Detroit Rock City kicked off the show, all thoughts of issues with the set were instantly forgotten. Right after the big opening it was full steam ahead with the massive KISS anthem Shout it Out Loud. This one seemed to have everyone singing along at the top of their voice. From here it was early KISS with Deuce from their first album. During this song, the big screens were showing vintage footage of the band from the early 70s which got me thinking about the beauty of KISS being in full make-up and costumes again. Even though the core band members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are in their 70s now, being in character, they still look exactly the same as they did when I worshipped them as a kid! With the face paint on, they are still the star child and the demon, the rock gods they were to me back then! War Machine from the Creatures of the Night album was next, which has become a KISS live staple and fan favourite, despite this coming from a turbulent period in the band’s early 80s history. After this was the first song from the band’s non-make up days, Heaven’s on Fire which has always slotted perfectly into the set as though it was an early year’s classic.

Another song from the Creatures of the Night album that has become a KISS classic was next. I Love it Loud is one of the best rock crowd singalongs ever and did not disappoint, this one had the whole arena joining the call-and-response war-cry in unison, even those who weren’t familiar with this era of KISS seemed to be singing along loudly.

The one song that I was surprised was in the set was next. From the 2009 album Sonic Boom, came Say Yeah. This would have easily been the least known song from the KISS catalogue on the night but once again, being a typical Kiss anthem, it had everyone singing along by the end of the song. After this, it was back to classic KISS with Cold Gin, followed by an impressive guitar solo by guitarist Tommy Thayer, complete with fireworks shooting from his guitar!

The set continued on with popular songs from the band’s history, featuring all the KISS trademark moves, including bassist Gene Simmons breathing fire and then spitting blood while rising up on a platform to sing God of Thunder while  looking down from the top of the arena, a drum solo from Eric Singer while his drum riser lifted him up above the stage with smoke billowing from below, and then front-man Paul Stanley being carried from the front of the stage on a zip-line where he performed Love Gun up close and personal to those in the back of the room. From here, the band then launched into I was Made for Lovin’ You while Paul flew back over everyone’s heads to the main stage again.

The last song of the main set was Black Diamond, featuring drummer Eric Singer on vocals, with the band then vacating the stage behind a huge display of smoke and fireworks.

Within just a few minutes, the encore began with Eric once again on vocals, this time sitting behind a glittery grand piano for a rendition of Beth, the ballad originally sang by KISS’ original drummer. Peter Criss

As the show drew to a close, it was time for a song that was a huge hit in Australia for KISS but nowhere else in the world, Shandi, from the Unmasked album. As the opening chords rang out, dozens of huge KISS balloons dropped from the ceiling and it became a fun spectacle to watch as they were thrown around the Entertainment Centre, seemingly in time with the music.

Finally, it was time for the show-closing anthem that has ended many KISS shows over the years, and would likely be the last song the band would ever play in Adelaide…Rock and Roll All Nite. With this, the band certainly went out with a bang! As soon as the band said their goodbyes and launched into the opening chords of the song, they threw everything they had at the crowd. There was confetti pumped out into the air, smoke, fireworks, flames…all of the theatrics they had left in the bank were pumped out onto the stage for their final farewell and it was a spectacular finale for sure!

I seriously doubt that anybody who was in attendance for this gig had a bad time. KISS had lived up to the hype that they put on the best rock n’ roll show in the world and this seemed like a very fitting way to say goodbye to Adelaide on this final tour. To me, this gig more than reminded me of what got me into rock music in the first place, and I suspect it may have even inspired some younger audience members to discover it for the first time!

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[Review] KISS @ Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 20/8/2022

The wait has been long, and the KISS Army have been patiently biding their time, finally the day was upon us and the time was NOW! KISS are literally the hottest band in the world right now, and while that mantra has followed them for almost 50 years there has never been a truer statement.  The KISS juggernaut has been a staple in almost every Australian home, in my case they even had their own dedicated room! Hugely loved and welcomed with open arms every single time they touch down, their fans are loyal and fiercely devoted which makes the experience of a KISS concert memory to treasure forever.

As I made my way towards Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne for the first show of the End Of The Road Australian tour, surrounded by my fellow KISSaholics, the ripples of excitement were brewing. There were painted faces, KISS T-shirts for miles, and families bringing their kids along to witness what would be the show of a lifetime. I took my spot on the floor, ready to get up close and personal with the band that has shaped my musical life. I felt overwhelmed with excitement and emotion, The End Of The Road is just that and I am not sure that I was ready to say goodbye just yet. But alas, I was glad I was there to soak up every bit of the tour, surrounded by like-minded fans all there to bask in KISS glory.

Melbourne hard rock outfit Dead City Ruins nabbed the coveted opening slot on night one, playing to a sold-out arena and thousands of adrenaline-filled punters. I can only imagine the high they were riding on, and it sure did come alive during their set. Blasting through their songs they engaged with the crowd and put on an amazing show. If there was ever a band that was a walking advertisement for good hair care it was them, luscious locks aplenty as they shredded their set. Booming vocals from Steve Welsh had the crowd up and about, many wearing their merch and singing the songs. Being a local Melbourne band, it was fantastic to see such great support for them. They have a new album out next month and we were treated to a sample of what is to come. It is one you do not want to miss, go check them out, and you will be glad you did.

Now it was time to bring out the big guns and they come no bigger than KISS, the arena was electric, carrying its own pulse in anticipation. The start time came and went which added to the nervous tension, but as the lights dropped the roar was deafening. Lowering from the ceiling on pods, KISS appear belting out the classic Detroit Rock City, accompanied by pyro, flames, and a light show that left me speechless. I have seen KISS more times than I can count but I still cannot explain the overwhelming feeling of joy that they bring to each and every show.  It was a non-stop thrill ride as they smashed through Shout It Out Loud, Deuce, War Machine, and Heavens on Fire. The stage hid all sorts of party tricks that kept coming nonstop.  The heat from the flames was intense as Gene worked his magic during I Love It Loud, there was a lot of crowd participation, and came complete with the obligatory fire breathing display that we all know and love.  Cold Gin was Tommy Thayer’s time to shine as he ripped out his guitar solo and fired rockets across the stage. He has stepped into the Spaceman’s boots in a fluid movement and has looked at home from day dot.

Lick It Up was definitely a favourite and one that had Gene literally licking everything in sight with his trademark tongue out more than it was in. Gene Simmons, the backbone of KISS is such a consummate professional onstage, blasting his bass to within an inch of its life but always making sure the show runs like clockwork and every piece of the action is delivered one hundred percent every single time!  I hope that I can channel his energy when I am his age, he made me tired just watching last night, never taking a break, it was go go go from start to finish.  KISS always have, and always will, until that last show give it everything they have and leave nothing in the tank, that’s just how they roll.

The setlist was extensive covering most of the huge catalogue of albums, Dr Love, Do You Love Me, the hits just kept coming. Then as were saw a merge of Psycho Circus and 100,000 years, Eric Singer came to the forefront. His enormous drum kit catching the laser lights was a truly beautiful thing to see, his playing exemplary as always. Getting the crowd involved as he belted out a solo that echoed throughout the arena and had all eyes on him. Wowing the fans as he spun cymbals and sticks his drum riser raised to the roof and had everyone losing their minds, smoke pouring from underneath, it really was quite the spectacle.

Would it even be a KISS show if Gene did not spew forth blood during God Of thunder? Absolutely not, so we were all delighted when the green hue of lights and smoke swamped the stage and Gene treated us to his best ever party trick. Treating a lucky fan to his blood-spattered towel as he tossed it to the punters almost causing a riot. His riser taking high to the ceiling to watch over us as he sang, almost like a preacher with his congregation.

Frontman and KISS itself, Paul Stanley is still shaking his bootie with the best of them, playing his guitar over his head while giving us all a sexy shimmy. His stamina is undying as he jumped on a zip line to whizz across the venue to a second stage to play Love Gun and I Was Made For Loving You. The stage lighting up with disco balls and setting a bit of a frenzy amongst the fans, it is always a great one to sing along to and gets everyone jumping. Time to hear from Eric on vocals as Black Diamond rings out, it is one from the inception of KISS but still holds so much weight now in 2022. In classic KISS fashion, the drums rise again showcasing the cat motif and spinning pinwheels of sparks and explosions.

After a brief moment off the stage and cheers for more a stunning grand piano appears and Eric breaks into the beautiful ballad Beth, we are all singing along lighting up Rod Laver with our phone torches, knowing the night is getting close to being over and not being anywhere near ready for it.  Being like a second home for KISS, we are always treated to an exception to the regular setlist, last night it was Shandi, and what a sight it was as supersized KISS balloons rained down on us as they crooned the much-loved hit from Unmasked.

The drums started and that famous intro to Rock and Roll All Nite rang out, with smoke and confetti cannons on steroids we were awash with excitement and adrenaline as the boys brought it home.  We were answering the call as Paul worked us close to delirium, Rod Laver was heaving, and we were singing the oh-so-familiar lyrics I Wanna Rock and Roll All Nite and Party Every Day! The risers were headed to the sky with Gene and Tommy on board as Paul smashed his guitar and handed it over to one very lucky fan.  With more pyro and fireworks than New Year’s Eve, the show was over and we were left raw with emotion but on a high from the most amazing show of all time.

There are still a few tickets for the last Melbourne show on Tuesday night, and I recommend you grab them fast, believe me, this show will change your life. Then you too can wear your badge with pride and say you have earned your place in KISSTORY!

There will never be another band that can compare to KISS, their love and dedication to their loyal KISS Army have been ever present and all we can do is say thank you. Thank you for the music of our childhood, thank you for the music that shaped our lives, and thank you for being THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!

Tonight the play to another SOLD OUT show, but you still have a chance to catch them Tuesday MELBOURNE!!!!! 

Get your part of remaining tickets here : TUESDAY 22nd AUGUST 2022

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