VEGAS MUSIC NEWS: Kiss-ful Thinking, Allegiant is Karol G Spot
Posted on: April 21, 2026, 11:42h.
Last updated on: April 21, 2026, 11:44h.
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss appeared at the Pollstar Live concert trade show last week, trumpeting an avatar show they claim will headline Las Vegas in 2028.
They estimated that “Kiss Forever,” starring likenesses of the band’s original four members, will cost $200 million — the same price tag as ABBA‘s wildly successful London avatar residency. Pophouse, the Swedish music investment firm, is the force behind both projects. They already purchased the rights to Kiss’ music and image for $300 million in 2024.
No venue has been announced, but one place it won’t take place is Sphere.
“People were saying, ‘Why don’t you play the Sphere?’” Stanley reportedly said. “And the truth of it is, the Sphere, at least for me, minimizes a band, it makes a band miniature. You’re not going there to see a band, you’re going there to see screens.
“We wanted to incorporate the highest of technology but we want to be the center of it. It’s a very different experience than going to see a postage stamp with a band on it while you’re watching screens. This is the antithesis of it. It’s 180 degrees from that.”
We think there’s zero chance that Stanley’s diss of the most successful, mind-blowing venue in the world wasn’t motivated by Sphere CEO James Dolan‘s veto of the project. But that’s just our opinion.
Also, as Casino.org’s own Vital Vegas argues here, it is a massive gamble to spend $200 million on a simulated show for a band whose last in-person Vegas residency — 12 dates at Planet Hollywood in 2021 — had to be canceled due to soft ticket sales.
While the Kiss Army remains loyal, the band lacks the “dormant legend” status required to draw a general audience to a projection show night after night.
Some version of “Kiss Forever” will likely happen, but it will need to cost less and be situated inside a mid-tier casino resort rather than a custom-built Sphere competitor
Karol G Pledges Allegiant
Latin music powerhouse Karol G is bringing her stadium tour, “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour” to Allegiant Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.
The Colombian superstar holds numerous records for Latin music, including 117 billion career streams.
Ticket presales begin Monday, April 27, via karolgmusic.com, with a general onsale through Ticketmaster at 10 a.m. PT Wednesday, April 29.
K-popover
A citywide festival will celebrate BTS’ run of Allegiant shows on May 23, 24, 27 and 28.
According to a press release, “iconic locations across the city will be activated with the Strip and digital marquees lit up in the album’s signature red theme and welcome messages for ARMY.” There will also be “themed hotel experiences, food and beverage specials and exclusive after parties.”
It will be the second time the K-pop icons will transform the Strip into “The City Las Vegas,” having already done so during their April 2022 dates at the stadium.
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