Kiss Will Launch Virtual Avatar Concert in 2028
The rock band is developing a digital show modeled after the successful ABBA Voyage hologram experience.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Rock
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Kiss plans to launch a virtual avatar-based concert experience in 2028. The project is being developed in collaboration with Industrial Light & Magic after Pophouse Entertainment purchased the rights to the band.
Why it matters
The project signals a shift toward digital performance formats for heritage acts seeking to extend their touring presence. By utilizing avatar technology, the group aims to recreate their stage persona for global audiences beyond their physical retirement.
The production relies on visual effects technology from Industrial Light & Magic to build upon the commercial model established by the ABBA Voyage show. New music has already been recorded specifically for the upcoming digital avatar project.
The players
Kiss
This American rock band is known for its elaborate stage makeup and pyrotechnic-heavy live performances.
Pophouse Entertainment
This Swedish media company specializes in developing digital entertainment experiences and music-based intellectual property.
Industrial Light & Magic
Founded by George Lucas, this visual effects company provides the digital artistry required for complex motion-capture performances.
Tommy Thayer
He is a lead guitarist who has been a long-standing member of the rock band Kiss.
The details
Pophouse Entertainment is spearheading the development of the digital show, which draws conceptual inspiration from London-based hologram concerts. The band has also engaged in cross-genre collaborations, such as the track Reach for the Stars with Pitbull.
Timeline
Kiss announced plans for the virtual band at the end of 2023.
Tommy Thayer attends the 50th-anniversary event in Dusseldorf on October 30, 2026.
The Shogun Mojo debut album releases on October 30, 2026.
A performance at Land-Locked in Vegas is scheduled for November 2026.
The virtual Kiss avatar show is projected to launch in 2028.
Industry Dynamics
This transition to digital avatars reflects a broader trend in Hollywood and the music industry toward leveraging high-fidelity holograms to preserve legacy acts. Such projects represent a significant shift in studio strategies to monetize iconic franchises long after traditional touring concludes.
Fans can anticipate a departure from traditional live concert attendance in favor of a digital immersive experience. Future ticket availability and subscription access for this virtual show will be determined closer to the 2028 launch window.
The takeaway
The move toward avatar-based performance represents a significant change in how legacy bands reach their audience. Fans should expect future music consumption to increasingly blend physical and digital reality through these high-tech spectacles.
What happens next
Tommy Thayer will participate in the 50th-anniversary event in Dusseldorf on October 30, 2026, and the band is scheduled to perform at Land-Locked in Vegas in November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the evolution of musical performances, visit the Rock section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 104.5 KDAT.
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Would you attend a concert featuring virtual avatars instead of the original performing band?
