16TH November 2019
Ghost or Ghost B.C (Their name in the United States) are a Swedish rock band that formed in 2006.
Since then they have been honing their craft as songwriters and live performers. Over the previous thirteen years they have pretty much paid their dues by playing the grubbiest and smallest venues and working their way up the pecking order.
During that time, they even started to perform at festivals accepting appearances low down on the bill at events such as the prestigious Download festival.
More recently they were the support band for none other than the mighty Metallica. On the back of that they launched into their own headlining arena tour entitled the “Ultimate tour named death”.
Over the years, Ghost have managed to entertain fans with their live shows in small venues and it worked exceptionally well. However, when they announced an arena tour questions were raised as to whether their show is transferable to the bigger venues. There were certainly doubts as to how their performance could possibly work in the larger venues.
Ghost have built a reputation for being easily recognisable live because of their eccentric (sometimes spooky) on stage presence. Most of the band wear face concealing costumes and are called ‘Nameless Ghouls’, however there are rumours that they have female instrumentalists and so include ‘Ghoulettes’. The only person whose face is recognisable is the lead vocalist (Tobias Forge) although he takes on the part of a spooky almost demonic character called Cardinal Copia. Over the years this character has gone through various changes, previous characters have included Papa Emeritus I, Papa Emeritus II, and Papa Emeritus III, all with different face make up and with a full background story.
This mystique of the nameless ghouls and ghoulettes has helped Ghost stand out form the plethora of bands that are currently touring. However, any touring band would soon fade away if it relied purely on the visual aspects. Thankfully, Ghost can write songs that really hit the mark. Which gained them an accolade from music magazine Kerrang! for their song “Ritual” Kerrang! Voted “Ritual” as one of “The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever”.
Whilst the adoring crowd at Motorpoint Arena were waiting for their satanic heroes to arrive on stage, the music being played over the house pa system sounded very spiritual, (I think it was ‘Miserere Mei, Deus’). Unlike other rock music gigs where the band play an intro to rev the crowd up, Ghost appeared to be setting the fans up for a chilled-out evening.
Moments before the band arrived on stage, “Ashes” is played as their intro music which starts of with a haunting rendition of “Ring a Ring o’ Roses”, the curtain dropped to reveal a set designed to look like the inside of a place of worship, with a backdrop of three huge pretend stain glass windows depicting the previous characters from Ghost.
This sent the worshipping crowd into a wave of frenzied swaying and headbanging. From here on in, Ghost had the congregation eating out of the palm of their hands. Vocalist Tobias Forge moving around the stage in a very spooky fashion, every move carefully coordinated to add to the spiritual atmosphere. Whilst moving around the stage the other nameless ghouls and ghoulettes were also moving around the stage to create a visual spectacle that was very surreal.
Ghost had clearly come to prove that they are a tour de force when it comes to live shows, sure enough, the high-octane pace was delivered throughout the entire evening.
The band made it obvious that this tour was about promoting their most recent album “Prequelle” and their setlist was heavily influenced with tracks from that particular album songs such as “Ashes”, “Rats”, “Faith”, “Miasma” and “Dance Macabre” all demonstrating how talented the band are at creating disturbingly heavy rock songs with a devilish twist.
During “Miasma” the band brought out Papa Nihil, a shade wearing, saxophone playing band member to bring the song to an end. Throughout the evening there were lots of visual treats which link to historical things that have occurred in Ghosts history things like coming out on stage on a tricycle. (Almost reminiscent of the film Saw).
This was one of those live shows that had everything, a music fan could wish for. Great music, entwined with a world class theatrical performance not only from vocalist Tobias, but from the nameless ghouls and ghoulettes as well. Throughout the evening they all get a chance to take centre stage, including an amusing tongue in cheek duel between two of the guitarists. From high speed guitar solos to the more sedated choral chants. This is rock music for the masses.
When it comes to playing live, Ghost appear to be one of the bands that are focused solely on providing the fans with a great night’s worth of entertainment and incredible music. Even the use of confetti canons is used to such good effect during “Mummy Dust”. Any other band trying to do what Ghost do, would just come across as tacky. However, Ghost worked it into their live performance without it ever being tacky.
Tobias Forge commanded the congregation of adoring fans with his melodic vocals, and Freddie Mercury like stage presence. The interaction with the fans was reminiscent of the way Metallicas James Hetfield engages the audience. Making them all feel like they are part of the family. (Maybe Ghost picked up some tips after supporting Metallica).
Thankfully, all the raised questions and fears regarding Ghosts ability to make the step up to arenas have been answered. Ghost not only can hold their own in terms of big shows, but they took the challenge and raised the bar to a point where only a handful of bands can match them.
Dare I say, that it would be no surprise to see Ghost headlining the main stage at Download Festival in the next few years.
Review & Photographs by Luke Seagrave
