Pophouse has announced the acquisition of the music catalogue, brand name, likeness and trademarks of iconic American rock band, Kiss.

Pophouse has concluded a landmark agreement with the iconic band Kiss. Pophouse is the Swedish entertainment and music investment firm renowned for its development of brand-building activities in music and entertainment, such as the groundbreaking Abba Voyage show in London, in which Pophouse is the founding investor.

Pophouse has acquired Kiss’ artist share of the master recordings and publishing rights. Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.

Working closely with Kiss, Pophouse will follow its unique, value-add approach of drawing upon its world-class, in-house creative and storytelling expertise to unlock new audiences and revenue streams. Pophouse will use its proven, industry-defining playbook to create new content and experiences to enrich the Kiss catalogue for fans, old and new, actively seeking to enrich and add value to the brands and artists it partners with. Inclusivity and community have always been vital to the Kiss experience, and Pophouse is committed to nurture the close relationship between Kiss and its devoted fans moving forward.

Johan Lagerlöf, head of Investment at Pophouse, said: “Kiss is one of the most recognised and iconic bands in the history of music. They redefined the concept of rock shows and have always taken their artistry to new, uncharted territories. The band has consistently been able to appeal to new generations of fans and our mission is to fulfill the band’s vision to become immortal, and to let new generations discover and be part of the Kiss journey and carry it forward.”

“Kiss has sold more than 100m records worldwide and has throughout its 50-year career continued to push the boundaries in popular culture,” said Per Sundin, CEO at Pophouse Entertainment. “The band’s enigmatic personas, unparalleled band attributes and iconic imagery have made them a cultural force and a legendary act with multigenerational appeal. We will safeguard and enrich this legacy through future global endeavors by breathing new life into their characters and personas, while also leveraging and elevating the visual world of Kiss.”

As part of the partnership, Pophouse will create digital versions of Kiss that will allow the band and their unique personas to live forever. The project, already underway, was previewed at the final Kiss show in Madison Square Garden, New York on 2nd December 2023. The avatar show is planned to launch in 2027.

Gene Simmons, bassist and co-founder of Kiss, said: “We have always been breaking new ground in popular culture, and this partnership will ensure that we continue to do so for years to come. We already have several plans in development, where the avatar show is one, a biopic another and a Kiss-themed experience a third. The future could not be more exciting.”

“Our journey with Pophouse is fueled by the desire to eternally resonate across diverse facets of global culture,” added Paul Stanley, lead vocalist and co-founder of Kiss. “This partnership is not just a chapter; it’s an eternal symphony of rock ‘n’ roll immortality.”

The partnership with Kiss marks Pophouse’s second investment outside of Sweden, following the acquisition of Cyndi Lauper’s music catalogue, adding a truly global brand with a diverse and dedicated fanbase to the firm’s portfolio of international artists.

To watch a trailer for the Kiss x Pophouse collaboration, click here.