As farewell tours go, Kiss' End of the Road World Tour has been an epic one.
Beginning in January 2019, it paused like the rest of the world during the pandemic, and resumed in 2021. The band - who mark their 50th anniversary this year - had predicted they would play their final gig together in early 2023 - then added a further 100 dates to the tour
Last night, with just 24 gigs left to go, they took to the stage in Manchester, playing to an arena packed out by the Kiss Army - the name given to the band's devoted fans.
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I first started listening to Kiss as a teen in the 90s, as they were constantly being cited as influences by my favourite bands. I'll be honest, I didn't immediately get them, but as I've got older, I've really come to love their music.
They were supported by The Wild Things and Skindred, who warmed up the crowd, ensuring that by the time a huge black curtain bearing Kiss' name was raised across the stage, the crowd was fizzing with excitement.
Lights dropping, Gene Simmons' bassy voice booms into the darkness, "You want the best, you got the best. The hottest band in the world ... Kiss." The curtain falls, the first chords of Detroit Rock City ring out and the crowd erupts.
Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer are revealed, descending from the arena's rafters on platforms. The stage behind them is a cacophony of sparks, bangs and flames - it's going to be one hell of a night.
They may all be well into their 60s and 70s, but they prowl and strut the stage like men more than half their age. Paul's platform boots make my feet ache just looking at them, but he confidently glides across the stage like a glittering peacock.
They pause as Paul speaks to the crowd, which is already eating out the palm of his hand. "We're going to play some old ones, some older ones, and some older ones" he jokes, as they break into Shout It Out Loud - accompanied by eyebrow singeing flares from the flame machines.
Deuce and War Machine are next, followed by Heavens on Fire, and I Love it Loud. As the dying chords of the song ring out, Gene is handed a flaming torch which he holds aloft, before spitting flames into the air.
Say Yeah and Cold Gin follow, with Gene seemingly a bit unwell after his fire breathing antics, but he recovers in time for Tommy's blistering guitar solo. The 'oh-oh-ohs' of Lick It Up were ably carried by the crowd, who were made to feel like a fifth member of the band.
I'm probably showing my own age a bit here, but the music is so loud that you sometimes struggle to hear Paul and Gene's singing - which is a shame, as even after 50 years of vocal punishment, their voices remain impressive.
The set's design was incredible, but the most impressive part was the crystal clear screen behind the group, which flicked between past footage, special effects and shots of the crowd - Gene and Paul taking it in turns to stare into the lenses of the cameras below the stage, until it almost felt they were looking directly at you.
Makin' Love and Calling Dr Love, featuring an impressive guitar 'battle' between Paul and Tommy, leads to Psycho Circus and an epic drum solo from Eric. Left alone on stage as his bandmates take a short break, Eric showily bashes out an incredible beat - even taking the time to pat himself down with a towel as his feet did the hard work.
A threatening rumble begins, an eerie green glow floods the stage and Gene does his famous blood spitting shtick, before being hoisted into the air to deliver the booming God of Thunder.
Paul's back, encouraging the crowd to shout his name, which they gladly do. He shrugs, telling them, "London was better", at which point the roar of 'Paul' is almost deafening. Stomping one platformed foot into a metal ring, the 71-year-old and his guitar 'fly' above the crowd to a platform at the back of the arena to play Love Gun, and Black Diamond, before 'flying' back to the main stage.
They leave the stage, the crowd cheering and stomping in the darkness - they want more. And more we got, a white piano with Eric at the keys rising onto the stage for a rendition of Beth, before they finished the show with I Was Made for Lovin' You, and Rock and Roll All Nite - flares, fireworks and Catherine wheels ablaze, confetti, balloons and streamers covering the fans as the two and a bit hours set came to a spectacular end.
I wasn't prepared for quite how emotional I'd be as the band took their final bow, "Manchester, we'll never forget you", they shout. After 50 years of touring they have more than earned their retirement from the road - but I can't help but be sad at the loss of such showmanship from the live music world.
