In the whirlwind of the late 1990s, Kittie, fronted by the dynamic sister duo Morgan and Mercedes Lander, burst onto the music scene from Canada, captivating the rock world. These young women transformed from typical teenagers into formidable figures in rock and metal, defying expectations and amassing a global fanbase. More than two decades later, Kittie, with Mercedes Lander on drums and Morgan Lander on vocals and guitar, continues to ignite stages and studios, proving unequivocally that women can deliver rock music with the same intensity, volume, and aggression as their male counterparts. Fans eagerly anticipate their seventh studio album, FIRE, set to release in June, marking their first studio album since 2011’s I’VE FAILED YOU.
Kittie joined a host of bands in Las Vegas for the recent Sick New World festival, drawing artists and fans from across the globe. The festival’s presence was palpable throughout Vegas, with attendees visibly in town for the event. Although I missed the festival performances, I was thrilled to discover that Morgan and Mercedes Lander of Kittie would be hosting a meet and greet at Club Tattoo inside the Planet Hollywood Hotel/Casino. This event was scheduled to promote KittiePIG, their new non-alcoholic beverage.
My history with Kittie is somewhat casual. Their track “Brackish” was a staple on the radio during my high school years, but like many bands from that era, they faded from my immediate attention. However, my interest was reignited a few years ago with the release of Canadian filmmaker Rob McCallum’s documentary, KITTIE: ORIGINS/EVOLUTIONS. This film offered a deep dive into the band’s tumultuous journey, highlighting both their rapid ascent and the intense backlash they faced – aspects of their story I was largely unaware of.
Driven by renewed enthusiasm, I headed to Planet Hollywood last Sunday morning with a fellow music enthusiast, hoping to meet Mercedes Lander and Morgan Lander and have my copy of the KITTIE: ORIGINS/EVOLUTIONS documentary signed. The meet and greet was scheduled from noon to 2 PM, followed by an additional hour at a bar within Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops. Parking in Vegas, particularly at Planet Hollywood, has become notoriously expensive; the two and a half hours we spent at the resort incurred a $25 parking fee. Arriving early, I expected to avoid significant crowds, underestimating Kittie’s enduring appeal, especially in a city like Las Vegas.
We were immediately met with a massive queue that snaked around the corner, filling the Miracle Mile Shops hallway a considerable 45 minutes before the event’s official start time. While large crowds are not my preference, it was inspiring to witness such a strong turnout on a Sunday morning in Vegas for a band meet and greet. In an era and a city saturated with entertainment options, seeing so many rock fans, from younger enthusiasts to long-time supporters, come out to support a band was truly remarkable.
The line eventually extended into Club Tattoo, the venue for the meet and greet. Within the queue, there was a designated area where attendees could purchase Kittie merchandise, including shirts and the first edition KittiePIG beverage cans, available for autographing. The line progressed slowly, and despite its pace, it only continued to grow behind us. After more than an hour of waiting, we finally reached the front and met the Lander sisters, Morgan and Mercedes Lander.
The experience of meeting Mercedes Lander and Morgan Lander was overwhelmingly positive. One of the most commendable aspects of the event was the absence of overbearing security personnel rushing fans through the line or imposing strict limits on autographs. Many attendees brought albums and various memorabilia for signing, and both sisters were incredibly gracious and welcoming to everyone. I even received compliments on my battle jacket, a testament to the friendly atmosphere. Respecting the queue, I kept my interaction brief to avoid causing further delays. Event posters were available, which the sisters happily signed, and I left with both a signed poster and my autographed documentary disc. Shortly after my turn, I overheard event staff mentioning the need to expedite the line. With only about thirty minutes remaining before Mercedes Lander and Morgan Lander were scheduled to move to the bar in another section of the Miracle Mile Shops, the line still stretched out the door and around the corner of the tattoo shop.
The enduring and widespread fandom for Kittie, even in a place like Las Vegas, is truly impressive. Seeing such a large crowd gather in Vegas to support their rock idols was inspiring. The event itself was relaxed and enjoyable, and Mercedes Lander and Morgan Lander were exceptionally accommodating, friendly, and appreciative of their fans. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish, and I am now even more excited for the release of FIRE later this year.
[
