Will KISS headline the first Titans of Rock Festival in Grand Forks this August?
Credit to Author: Stuart Derdeyn| Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2020 13:00:50 +0000
Rock and roll all night and party every day in Grand Forks this August 6 to 8 at the inaugural Titans of Rock music festival.
A joint venture between KISS co-founder Gene Simmons and Canadian producer Chuck Varabioff, the three-day-long event is the first in what is expected to be a new festival series devoted to classic rock. The headline act for the event was unannounced at press time, although fans doubtlessly hope that the legendary arena rock act is on the bill. KISS is presently continuing its three-year-long End of the Road World Tour.
Simmons is confirmed to host the event, which was first teased last summer. He gave an exclusive interview to Postmedia to discuss the new venture.
The full lineup is expected to be announced by this weekend with ticket and information updates at titansofrock.com.
Gene Simmons. KISS bassist and co-founder of the Titans of Rock festival in Grand Forks, B.C. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Simmons met Varabioff in 2018, when the Gene Simmons Band played at the promoter’s Cannafest event in Grand Forks. Simmons had been working on the Titans of Rock concept for a few years and found a like-minded partner in Varabioff to bring audiences a new concert brand. Asked whether the world was ready for another rock festival, the KISS bassist declared that the world wants anything that has quality and that is what Titans of Rock will deliver.
Gene Simmons. KISS bassist and co-founder of the Titans of Rock festival in Grand Forks, B.C. [PNG Merlin Archive]
“Tens of millions of people in North America love a certain kind of music that revolves around guitars and being unapologetic about turning it up to 10, or — yes — even 11,” said Simmons. “The stadiums are filled with this kind of no-nonsense, kick-in-the-butt music that has ruled as long as most of us have been alive. But Chuck and I believe that classic rock is underserved and there are a lot of other bands who should be given a showcase, and we intend to put on a quality concert at reasonable prices where fans can come to have the time of their lives.”
Titans of Rock festival artwork for 2020 event in Grand Forks, B.C. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Varabioff’s previous Cannafest rosters ranged from acts such as Cheap Trick and The Beach Boys to beloved Canuck rockers Loverboy and Randy Bachman. Titans of Rock takes place on a new 15-acre site at James Donaldson Park just within Grand Forks city limits which the promoter noted has no performance curfew. RV parking, camping and other accommodations will be available.
Titans of Rock festival artwork for 2020 event in Grand Forks, B.C. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Audiences accustomed to urban market concert ticket prices will find the price point for Titans or Rock appealing.
“We’re starting our single day tickets at $150, and if you double that you get all three days for $300,” said Varabioff. “Various V.I.P. packages start at $400 all the way up to $1200 including all kinds of extra perks and benefits. Part of the packages will include some catering and meals, but we have to keep some secrets until event day.”
Chuck Varabioff. Canadian producer of the Titans of Rock Festival with Gene Simmons in Grand Forks. [PNG Merlin Archive]
At press time, there was no confirmation as to whether breakfast services would include custom KISS Demon Waffle Maker waffles or ice cubes in the cereal. Simmons says that the minutiae of the event is still being worked out. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit local charities such as Habitat for Humanity Kamloops, which builds affordable housing for lower income families in the Thompson and Cariboo Chilcotin regions of B.C.
Chuck Varabioff. Canadian producer of the Titans of Rock Festival with Gene Simmons in Grand Forks. [PNG Merlin Archive]
“We’re very excited about Titans of Rock, starting it in the Northwest of Canada and then taking this around the world, slowly, sure-footed and from a position of strength,” said Simmons. “We can fit 40,000 people on site. I’m a dreamer, so I want to see 40,000 people there.”