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Strolling into the sunshine, a robed, long-haired man steps out from his seat, arms-outstretched to the group earlier than him, sparking a deafening spherical of applause. ‘Jesus has returned!’ shouts a corpse-painted nun. On this (un)holiest of Easter weekends, the O2 area finds itself reworked right into a biblical fever dream, as throngs of vestment-clad glitter-covered devotees await the arrival of their true idol of worship, Tobias Forge, the frontman of visionary occult party-rockers Ghost.
It’s been three years because the clergy’s final “ritual” in London, with 2022’s critically-acclaimed album Impera heralding their earlier tour cycle. Now ushering in a brand new period – one manifested by a metallic new wardrobe and loads of purple – in contrast to their final look right here, tonight’s efficiency arrives unusually forward of the discharge of their newest providing, Skeletá, giving followers the uncommon probability to expertise a number of new tracks earlier than the remainder of the world.
That sense of exclusivity is amplified by the night’s telephone ban, which sees followers pressured to lock away their units in sealed Yondr pouches. Although it definitely seems like a dystopian transfer – can’t we actually simply ask gig-goers to abstain from filming? – the payoff is undeniably worthwhile.
Undistracted by the tempt to movie, the room buzzes with transfixed glee, as Ghost open the set with the completely new Peacefield, a shiny 80s-coded anthem that lands someplace between Journey and Kiss. Increasing on the retro tenor is the recently-released Lachryma, Forge adorning the fist-pulling ballad with actorly poses and marvellously camp crooning. Later, Skeletá’s first single Satanized arrives with its galloping offbeat riff, initiating bigger motion from the viewers, earlier than its lovably ridiculous refrain ignites crucifix-like stances and joyous exclamations of ‘blasphemy, heresy!’. The ultimate new observe, Umbra, is totally synth-drenched and neon-coloured, the venue’s lights casting the stage in a deep purple hue to match.
Coupled with the band’s new look – the anonymous ghouls forming a troupe of bejewelled top-hatted skeletons and Forge evoking some form of modern-day, satin-suited reiteration of Demise, and the Skeletá period already feels loads slicker, even sexier. The set can be largely stored minimal, Ghost’s brand mounted above the stage in an association of lights, earlier than inflated church pillars and digital stain glass home windows painting epic, evangelical scenes that additional emphasise the spiritual and ritzy temper.
For a lot of the set, Ghost dip into their older, heavier hymnals, the vast majority of songs performed from Meliora corresponding to Cirice, Mummy Mud, He Is, Majesty, Satan Church and Spirit, their darker, doomier natures filling the world with thunderous drum thumps and booming bass strains that really feel as if their vibrating deep into your bones.
In the meantime, Forge flaunts across the stage, skipping and rocking, his devilishly thespian bravado an ever-transfixing sight, as confetti and bursts of air explode out for that closing theatrical punch on closing songs Mary On A Cross, Dance Macabre and Sq. Hammer.
Although the night time was lacking most songs from the much-loved Impera, with the upcoming Skeletá album seemingly carrying on its 80s vein, Ghost are band that needn’t depend on the thrill of newer releases or fan-filmed footage on social media. As a substitute, they’ve created a sacred – and superbly-fun – world of their very own, one run by its personal guidelines and enchanting lore, and after performances like tonight, it seems like a privilege simply to be let inside.
Steel’s messiah has formally returned – and his identify is Tobias Forge.
Ghost setlist: O2 Area, London – April 19, 2025
Peacefield
Lachryma
Spirit
Religion
Majesty
The Future Is A International Land
Satan Church
Cirice
Darkness At The Coronary heart Of My Love
Satanized
Ritual
Umbra
12 months Zero
He Is
Rats
Kiss the Go-Goat
Mummy Mud
Monstrance Clock
Encore:
Mary on a Cross
Dance Macabre
Sq. Hammer
