Just Announced Kiss at Marcus Amphitheather

The naked commercialism of Kiss’ protracted comeback is hard to ignore—especially since Gene Simmons has long promoted his business acumen over the band’s musical talent—but putting spectacle above music has been the group’s biggest strength from the start. That’s why it’s heartening to learn that when the band decided to make a new album, 2009's Sonic Boom, it turned out to be actually pretty good, in the manner of all Kiss albums from the past couple of decades. Still, all but the biggest apologists have to wince a bit at the band continuing to tour with Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer—decked out in kabuki makeup, of course—in place of founding members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley.

The band is heading back on the road this summer in support of Sonic Boom, though the old Kiss hits and retro fire and blood-spitting antics will be the real draw. Tickets for Kiss' stop at Marcus Amphitheater Sept. 2 go on sale at noon June 12 for $71.50, $41.50, and $21.50 through Ticketmaster. (There's also a special deal for lil' Kiss fans under the age of 14, who get in free on the lawn with the purchase of an adult lawn ticket.)