Pophouse, the Swedish company known for backing ABBA’s Voyage show in London, has made a major acquisition by acquiring the publishing, recording royalties, and trademarks of iconic rock band KISS. This deal includes the band’s logo and iconic makeup design, with plans to develop a KISS hologram show using cutting-edge technology similar to ABBA’s Voyage.
“We have a lot of plans for KISS,” says Pophouse CEO Per Sundin. Despite buying out the rights owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, the frontmen will collaborate with the company to create the show, set to debut in 2027 in a U.S. city yet to be disclosed. Sundin emphasizes the goal of preserving and expanding the band’s legacy for new generations.
The idea for the hologram show came about during KISS’ End of the Road World Tour when manager Doc McGhee was inspired by ABBA’s Voyage and reached out to Pophouse. Gene Simmons expresses excitement about the project, stating, “We’ve seen sketches of what it will look like and we looked like the X-Men.”
Known for their theatrical concerts, KISS has always been about spectacle and showmanship. Pophouse’s active approach to immersive entertainment aligns well with the band’s vision for the hologram show. The deal not only includes publishing rights but also recording royalties and trademarks, including the iconic makeup designs of each band member.
With Pophouse’s expertise in creating immersive experiences like the ABBA Museum and the Avicii Experience, the future looks bright for KISS as they embark on this new hologram show venture. The end of the road tour marks a new beginning for the band, with Simmons likening it to a caterpillar transforming into a beautiful creature that soars to new heights.