kiss

After all these years, aging rockers KISS are still seemingly relevant. Since the 70's, KISS have been releasing hard-rock party tunes to the masses via flame-enhanced, leather-induced, black-and-white painted-faced revelry during their storied live concerts. They helped carry on the heavier rock sounds coming out of the Motor City that bands like MC5 and The Stooges made ever-so-relevant during the late 60's and early 70's, and also gave the metropolis a musical tag that still stands today with their 1976 hit "Detroit Rock City." Recently, they begun a massive North American tour in their hometown at the famed Cobo Arena where they taped their classic full-length concert album, Alive!, back in 1975. The Cobo was set for demolition after KISS closed it out in style, so we sent photographer Jamie Karosa (BOT name pending) to cover the closing event with her sensational lens work.

Check out her shots after the jump

The initial line-up for the 2009 Voodoo Experience has officially been released. After a stream of scrambled names started making waves over Twitter, the fine folks behind the Halloween weekend festival have posted the entire roster of acts playing the 2009 edition. Headlining the three day event are classic rockers Kiss, a rejuvenated Eminem, a reunited Jane's Addiction, jam titans Widespread Panic and the confetti-enhanced Flaming Lips. Other acts scheduled to play include French electro-rockers Justice, odd-balls Ween, euro-punks Gogol Bordello, the godfather of funk George Clinton & P Funk Allstars, blues rockers The Black Keys and classic hip-hop MC Q-Tip. Overall, it's a very strong festival that we're extremely excited to attend for a fourth consecutive year.

You can check out the full line-up after the jump

For those who have never attended New Orleans' Voodoo Experience, you've been missing out on one of the South's best kept secrets. Rehage Entertainment, the promoters behind Voodoo, have always pulled in an array of talent to play at their annual event held in City Park. I've been fortunate enough to catch everyone from Nine Inch Nails to Man Man, Rage Against the Machine to Wyclef Jean, Wilco to Lil Wayne and The Flaming Lips to Duran Duran at the fall event. Thanks to the genius of Twitter, our friends at Voodoo Experience have been keeping us informed of what is going on with this year's edition of the festival. A few weeks ago, we learned that The Black Keys were the first confirmed band, but just a few hours ago they sent out a tweet announcing that ultimate Halloween band KISS will take top billing on October 31st. While I can't say I'm the biggest KISS fan, it would still be a treat to catch them live, especially on Halloween night at Voodoo. Knowing the reputation of past Voodoo Experiences, the rest of the bands taking the stages come October will be quite strong, enough to support such an odd-but-great choice for festival headliner.

We'll keep you informed of who will be playing the 11th annual Voodoo Experience in the coming weeks, but if you want to get up-to-the-minute updates for yourself, feel free to follow them on Twitter.