KISS offers virtual seats to finale concert

KISS brought the finale concert of its “2010 Hottest Show on Earth” tour to the masses through a Facebook application, "Booyah's Nightclub City," as well as other online portals this month.

I love when iconic bands from decades ago continue to tour. Over the past few years, I've seen great bands I didn't get a chance to while they were in their heyday — like The Police, Devo, The Cure and A-ha.

I appreciate when bands gain a new generation of followers, while continuing to build on their loyal fan base. It's a testament to their endurance.

Here, the concert was broadcast through the app — a music-centric social media game, in addition to CBS Radio rock station websites and via a live video stream on Ustream.

This was a very interesting exercise in marketing. Three weeks leading up to the concert, KISS featured some of its greatest hits — classics like Rock and Roll All Nite — and offered in-game promotions.

Facebook "likes" of the band's fan page increased 750% a day during that period, and the marketing helped generate a 16% week-over-week increase of daily active users on Nightclub City.

No doubt that the in-concert experience is irreplaceable, but if you can't get there, digital has opened a virtual door — a most welcome development.

I would have happily “rocked and rolled all nite” with the band had I known about the social media event.