American rock troupe KISS is giving fans the power to plot the band’s next tour path in the United States and Canada. Following a video announcement scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET) today, April 6, fans will be able to “demand” a KISS performance in their hometown via the band’s official page on Eventful.com.
The social media site will log the concert demand for each city or town that received votes. According to a statement from the band, the most demanded locations will earn a spot on KISS’s upcoming North American tour — “from stadiums to cornfields.” The final tour selection will weigh population versus the total number of votes to level the playing field for smaller cities.
“No band has ever given their fans the power to decide what cities they play, and no fans deserve it more than ours,” said vocalist Paul Stanley in a statement. “We’re leaving the next U.S. and Canadian tour up to the Army. When they stand up, they will be counted!”
Gene Simmons, bassist and band icon, commented, “KISS has never followed the rules — we have always broken them. KISS has never listened to critics — we have always listened only to the fans. It’s time to give back to the fans with bigger shows and longer set lists. And for the first time anywhere, we want our fans to tell us where they want us, and when.”
Individuals who vote during the Eventful contest will be given the opportunity to purchase pre-sale tickets for the tour, regardless of whether their hometown makes the final itinerary cut. Fans will be able to track the running vote tally on various social networking sites across the Internet, as well as on the official KISS Web site.
KISS debuted 35 years ago with the band’s 1974 eponymous album, which hit No. 87 on the Billboard 200. Over the years, the hard rock icons have released 16 Gold-certified albums, seven of which went on to receive Platinum certification. The band is currently working on their first studio album in 11 years, which Stanley is producing.
The band’s official announcement will be posted on KISSonline.com at 3 p.m. (ET) on Monday, April 6.
