As someone who has been following Ghost for over a decade, it’s been really interesting and gratifying watching their ascension. From watching them headline small undersold venues on multi band bills to seeing them now as arena conquering juggernauts has been something to behold,especially as the band has evolved and changed over time.
Tonight’s show at the O2 Arena in London is their first time back here in 3 years, it falls on Easter weekend (shout out Jesus who made sure he was in attendance tonight) and comes on the eve of the release of the bands upcoming album Skeletá. There is an undeniable buzz in the air and the O2 is practically vibrating by the time the band hits the stage. As you may have heard this tour is no phones and no support, which creates a unique vibe in itself, but feels appropriate given the fervent nature of Ghost’s extremely dedicated fanbase. You cannot turn your head tonight without seeing someone either in cosplay (homemade or otherwise) or a multitude of assorted Ghost shirts or other apparel.
Now I’ve seen every different iteration of Ghost on every different album cycle, so naturally when approaching a new tour, there is a sense of excitement for what’s to come. How will the new songs sound? What will the stage show be like? What will the new Papa be like? so on and so forth…Well somewhat disappointingly the Papa V aka Papa Perpetua era may have started off on a somewhat muted note in terms of his introduction to an audience at large.
Setlist wise and from a technical and sound perspective tonight’s show ticks all the boxes. As expected Ghost sound incredible, and the new songs come to life in the live arena with Satanized and Lachryma already sounding like classics. There are some notable omissions from the setlist, but when you have a catalogue as cast iron as Ghost’s something has to give. The main problem with tonight’s show and I’m sure I’m in the minority on this, but it never felt like the show really kicked into the next gear.
There was no real sense that we were being introduced to a new era of Ghost. Coming off the heels of one of the band’s most animated, engaging and larger than life frontmen in Cardinal Copia, tonight feels like a massive comedown. It feels like the tour was booked before Tobias Forge had really discovered and fleshed out the character of Papa V. There is very little in the way of audience interaction, even the Ghouls & Ghoulettes who are famous for their onstage shenanigans feels somewhat subdued this evening.
There is no real sense yet of what this iteration of the band is or what they will become. Even from a production standpoint the show feels a little less spectacular than it did previously, although I will say the sight of Papa V in full Purple & Silver robes looking as though he is hovering above the stage was pretty cool. The Ghost live experience in this current guise feels more professional and efficient and less engaging due to it. I’m not sure if that is deliberate and it is purposely designed to be this way and I’m missing something (very possible) or if the magic and allure of Ghost has morphed into something else entirely and they are just and arena band who does arena band things now.
The atmosphere tonight inside the O2 arena is unmatched and even though I have my own personal thoughts on the show itself, being a part of this audience is an electric experience. 20,000 people united in music, fully locked in and engaging with what is live and in front of them for 2 hours rather than living vicariously through screens. The rise of Ghost and the unwavering devotion they command from their fandom is fascinating and a really special thing to witness and be a part of.
When the band hits the highs they are capable of, those moments are euphoric and as previously mentioned when they wheel out any number of their bigger hits like Cirice, Rats, Year Zero & the steller encore run of Mary on a Cross, Dance Macabre & Square Hammer it’s as good as it gets. It’s a shame then that those moments are few and far between, leaving this as somewhat of a stumbled reemergence for the Swedish spooksters.
6/10
2/10…. thats for the review, not the concert which was incredible.