On April 13, 2019, KISS wrapped up their first leg of the End of the Road World Tour in Birmingham, Alabama.
Playing to a near sold-out crowd, Paul, Gene, Tommy, and Eric delivered Rock classics from most eras of the band’s extensive 45 year career.
The highlights included a Tommy Thayer guitar solo after “Cold Gin” where fire was shot from his guitar; Paul mis-remembering the name of the first venue they played in Birmingham: he said “Memorial Auditorium” instead of Municipal Auditorium (as many places they have played, he gets a by on this one); and Gene subtly tagging part of an Ace Frehley’ era KISS song “Torpedo Girl” during “Let Me Go, Rock N Roll” (to be honest, I only knew this because my partner is a die-hard KISS fan and he pointed it out to me.)
The show ended with KISS balloons falling from the ceiling during “Do You Love Me?” and so. much. confetti. during “Rock N Roll All Nite.” It looked like a snow storm.
As much as I like KISS, the one complaint I had was not having any variety in the setlist from city to city. It is the SAME set each night. You have 20+ albums. Why the same 20 songs? Maybe they will change it for the next runs of the tour.
Regardless, both shows I went to on this tour were spectacular from the production, to the crowds, and the entertainment factor. I will miss seeing KISS. I hope they enjoy the end of this road.
Setlist:
Detroit Rock City
Shout It Out Loud
Deuce
Say Yeah
I Love It Loud
Heaven’s on Fire
War Machine
Lick It Up
Calling Dr. Love
100,000 Years (Eric drum solo)
Cold Gin (Tommy Thayer guitar solo)
God of Thunder (Gene bass solo)
Psycho Circus
Let Me Go, Rock ‘N’ Roll (Torpedo Girl tag)
Love Gun (Paul flies through crowd)
I Was Made for Lovin’ You (Paul still on stage in crowd)
Black Diamond
Encore:
Beth (Eric Singer on glittery piano that came from the ground)
Do You Love Me
Rock and Roll All Nite
