Live Review: KISS, Motley Crue & Thin Lizzy

As you pass the branded comic books, ice lollies and stubby coolers, it's hard to tell if KISS' profligate merchandising is a post-modern comment on the smash 'n' grab nature of the rock music industry, or the worst kind of opportunistic capitalism. Maybe both. Maybe neither. But suspend your cynicism, all ye who enter here. Tonight had a band, who between them had spent over 300 years on the earth, singing The Boys Are Back In Town. It had Tommy Lee playing drums to Skrillex's Bangarang, upside down on his 360 Drum Rollercoaster. And it had Gene breathing fire, Tommy shooting sparks, Eric drumming in the rigging and Paul smashing his guitar in the wanton finale to a what can only be described as a rock'n'roll extravaganza.

First, Thin Lizzy. Performing in their current arrangement since 1996, sadly without Phil Lynott, the six-piece delivered their Celtic rock to the early crowd with verve. Vocalist Ricky Warwick ripped through their back catalogue, the highlight being an extended Whiskey In The Jar. As their biggest hit played them out, the arena was on its feet. 

Mötley Crüe were the next layer of filling in our rock baguette. Despite some problems with the vocals – to anyone thinking 'the content', please, that's not in the spirit of the evening – the hair-metal filth-merchants delivered. Opening with a march to the stage, through the crowd, with standard-bearers, they launched into Saints Of Los Angeles and a set that was more like a circus. There were girls on ropes, stilt-walkers and fire; the perfect icebreaker.

The curtain went up, the lights went down and what we got was a hot KISS with tongues. The opening wall of flames behind Singer's kit singed eyebrows as much as Simmons' flapping appendage raised them, to the tune of Detroit Rock City. From the opening chords to the encore of Lick It Up, I Was Made For Lovin' You and Rock And Roll All Nite, KISS delivered. Before the choruses and confetti, the crowd heard material from new album Monster, and live favourites Shandi, Love Gun and God Of Thunder. We wanted the best – we got the best. KISS delivered.

Like tonight's veteran performers, Perth's new arena showed that despite the craggy exterior it can put on one hell of a show. The KISS Army may be more ageing generals than fresh faced privates these days, but they packed the concourses, escalators, seats and standing areas, proving that if you build it, they will come. If you finish it, they might even come back. If it means Perth gets another night like this, full of wanton, indulgent enjoyment, I hope they do.