Paul Stanley recently addressed how KISS puts together its setlists, speaking directly to fan expectations during the Q&A session at KISS Kruise Vegas 2025, according to reporting by The Rock Experience with Mike Brunn.
While answering audience questions, Stanley broke down why the band focuses on well-known hits instead of reaching deep into their catalog. He argued that lesser-known tracks simply don’t resonate the way the classics do. “Let’s talk about deep cuts for a minute. Deep cuts appeal to two people,” Stanley said. He added a personal anecdote to make his point: “I once went to see a very, very big band, and what they were advertising for this particular show was [that] they were going to play all deep cuts. It was the most boring f*cking thing I’d ever seen in my life.”
Stanley expanded on the logic behind KISS’s approach, stressing that their priority is giving fans the songs they most want to hear.
“Honestly, the reason cuts are deep is because they’re not popular, and they’re not as good,” he continued. “Do we take out ‘Detroit Rock City’? Do we take out ‘Love Gun’? Do we take out ‘God Of Thunder’ to play some [lesser-known] song? I don’t think you’ll be disappointed [with Saturday night’s set list], but if you’re expecting deep cuts, I’ll see you next time.”
His remarks highlight the long-standing philosophy behind KISS’s live shows. Rather than experimenting with obscure tracks, the band has consistently chosen to spotlight material that appeals to the widest section of their audience—an approach that has helped maintain their success for decades.
Sources like uDiscover Music point to “Detroit Rock City” as one of the defining songs in KISS’s catalog. Its enduring popularity, high energy, and narrative storytelling represent exactly the type of music Stanley believes fans come to hear.
Their commitment to crowd-pleasing hits extends across stylistic eras as well. Louder Sound’s fan poll shows that “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” continues to be a staple of their concerts, even though it originally received mixed reviews. Its strong chart presence and lasting fan support have kept it firmly in rotation. Similarly, Revolver Magazine’s reader rankings consistently place the band’s biggest commercial successes above deep cuts, reinforcing Stanley’s position that the hits carry the broadest appeal.
Overall, KISS’s setlist strategy mirrors a larger trend across the music world—legendary acts often rely on their most recognizable songs to deliver the experience fans expect. Stanley’s straightforward comments reflect the band’s confidence in their legacy and their commitment to delivering a show built around the music that made them icons.
