Paul Stanley surprised fans with a rare live performance Saturday night at the Indy KISS Expo in Plainfield, Indiana, turning what was meant to be a fan convention into a small-scale celebration of classic Kiss music.
Earlier in the day, Stanley took part in a lengthy Q&A session where he reflected on the band’s legacy, their decades on the road and the emotional final shows of the End of the Road farewell tour. Fans also lined up for photo opportunities and autograph sessions with the legendary Starchild, creating the kind of personal interaction that rarely happens at arena shows.
But the biggest moment arrived Saturday night when the expo shifted into concert mode. After an opening set from rocker John Corabi, the house band Eric Singer & Friends — led by Eric Singer — took the stage with a lineup of musicians tied to the KISS universe.
Midway through the set, Stanley walked onstage to a roaring crowd and joined the band for a run of classic KISS songs. The highlight came when he launched into “Detroit Rock City,” instantly turning the packed venue into a full-blown sing-along. Fans shouted every lyric as Stanley delivered the iconic anthem that has been a staple of KISS concerts for decades.
He followed that with other beloved songs from the KISS catalog, giving the crowd a rare chance to hear those classics performed live again after the band officially ended touring in December 2023. Without the towering stages, explosions and elaborate costumes normally associated with KISS shows, the performance felt far more intimate — but no less energetic.
The night also included performances of classic rock covers and collaborations among the musicians onstage, giving the event the feel of a jam session celebrating the wider KISS legacy. For many fans attending the expo, seeing Stanley step up to the microphone again was the defining moment of the entire weekend.
The Indy KISS Expo itself was designed as a gathering for the KISS Army, featuring panels, memorabilia displays, meet-and-greets and appearances by people connected to the band’s history. Throughout the weekend, fans shared stories, collected autographs and celebrated more than 50 years of KISS music.
While the band’s massive touring era may have ended, Stanley’s performance at the expo showed that the connection between the Starchild and the KISS Army is still very much alive. For the fans packed into the Indiana venue Saturday night, the moment felt less like a convention appearance and more like a small but powerful reminder of what made KISS one of rock’s most legendary live bands.
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