From: Carl Stromberg
I went all the way from Sweden to Washington D.C. to see the greatest Rock'n Roll Band of all times! The moment I got my $93 tickets confirmed on ticketmaster.com in my Appartement was I moment I'll not forget in a long time!! Thank you Internet!! I've seen KISS 6 times before, but this was special. It was my first concert outside Europe and it was probably my last concert with my favourite band on stage (if they don't come to say Farewell to Sweden after the U.S. leg - then I'll be there, Center Front row, be sure of that!!) and that was bittersweet in a way. They have been in my life since Lick it Up, that makes 17 years. In good times, in hard times they have been there and stayed the same. Something to believe in, something to look up to! I just had to see the Farewell tour!

The Nissan Pavillion was in a way smaller than I had imagined. They say it takes about 15000 people seated. And they say it was about 18000 people there this night! Our indoor arena in Stockholm takes 15000 people and our outdoor arena takes 34000 (KISS is the only band that sold it out two nights since it was rebuilt...) but I imagined that most arenas in the U.S. was bigger. It was a nice arena though, and the sound was great this night!!

The stage was the coolest, biggest and nicest I've ever seen KISS on. Tre huge videoscreens left, middle and right and two big and very intense KISS-logos were flashing so I felt the heat from them even back on the 21:st row!

They opened with Detroit rock city and the band descended down from the rigg on a platform, much like a spaceship. The lights were great during this song! The stairs was there, the drumriser, the huge disco-ball, Gene's fly-rig, Paul's transporter.

The band seemed to have a really good time and really kicked ass. I was amazed how much energy Ace and Peter showed through the hole show!! It was nice to see them in such a good spirit and shape! The show was apart from that much like Psycho Circus tour, about the same amount of bombs, same cool coloured bombs, Ace's solo was almost identical and all other effects and videos were similar.

Except here was a lot more video-effects, a LOT more confetti in the end. Another cool thing was the two hydralic ramps they used in the end to go out on over the audience!

They played great all night and I've never heard Paul sing this good, ever!! He's really improved his voice in The Phantom of the Opera!

The talking between the songs was great (as always)!

They played I love it loud, I still love you, 2000 man, Heavens on fire and Lick it up wich was a welcome change from the PS-tuor! I had hoped for more different songs and more songs from the great 80's, but I'm not complaining! When Paul did the intro to I still love you his guitar was not tuned and he played a bad note, and stopped.

Then he said -"This is one of those magical nights...."

Everybody thougt this was part of the show and that he would start talking about the great audience and the spirit of rock'n roll or something. Instead he said -"I get a guitar that is not tuned.... I don't know that guy very well but he's supposed to have a tuned guitar for me (pointing backstage at one of the crew members). Can you come out here for a minute and give me another guitar!" The guy looked ashamed and ran quickly out on stage with another guitar! Then Paul sung the song absolutely awsome!! The best version I've EVER heard!

In the end they thanked us for always beleiving, for making their dreams come true, said that critics never believed but 27 years and 80 million albumsales showed that fans is always right. It was a sad moment but then: -If you ever pay to see a band and they don't give you their best and what you paid for (like we always tries to), remember 1:st of July 2000 in Manassas!!! Then they played RARAN... A great show. The audience was awsome from the first note to the very end, the loudest I've heard I think!

If you havent seen this show, Buy a ticket NOW! You won't be dissappointed, I promise! And to KISS - Thanks for everything, for the great music, the magic and all great shows you've given us!!

As Paul said after RARAN. "People, we love you. Don't forget about us, We'll never forget you!!" I won't.....

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