Fans of Swedish rock band Ghost gathered in their thousands at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Sunday evening for the group’s latest concert, which marked a notable milestone in their UK tour. Known for their theatrical performances and evolving stage presence, Ghost took to the stage for what is being described as their largest-ever tour, Skeletour, coinciding with the impending release of their new album.
The Utilita Arena, located alongside Birmingham’s canals, saw unprecedented queues stretching in both directions from the venue. Fans lined up along the cut towards Edgbaston and backward nearly to the Library of Birmingham, as stringent security measures were in place. For the first time at a Birmingham show, the band required all audience members to secure their mobile phones in locked pouches until the end of the performance, a tactic often seen at major comedy events aimed at preserving the live experience.
Due to these procedures, the show commenced approximately half an hour behind schedule. Nevertheless, the crowd was fully seated and enthusiastic when Ghost finally opened with a choral introduction and a dramatic reveal of an intricate stage set. Tickets for the event were priced around £80 each, reflecting the high production value on display.
Frontman Papa V Perpetua and his fellow Nameless Ghouls appeared in elaborate costumes matching the Skeleta theme of their current album cycle. The show opened with brand-new singles, including "Peacefield" and "Lachryma," previewing material from the album set to release on 25 April. The venue featured expansive visual effects such as a giant mechanical logo and towering stained glass window backdrops, transforming the arena into a gothic church setting that complemented the band’s characteristic blend of dark, theatrical aesthetics.
Throughout the concert, the band revisited several fan favourites spanning their discography, including tracks from the albums Meliora and Prequelle. Songs like “Spirit,” “Faith,” “Cirice,” and “Ritual” were performed with marked intensity, and a few pieces from the newest record, such as “Satanized” and “Umbra,” received their Birmingham debut. The latter drew a distinctive blend of 1980s synth influences and horror-inspired themes.
Costume changes and stage effects continued to enhance the performance’s atmosphere, with pyrotechnics playing a key role during electrifying numbers like “Year Zero” and “Rats.” The band also incorporated theatrical elements such as ticker tape cannons and a leaf blower to distribute special effects items like fake banknotes during “Mummy Dust” and “Monstrance Clock,” heightening the show’s immersive quality.
In between songs, Papa V Perpetua, known offstage as Tobias Forge, addressed the audience, introducing himself anew in his current guise and sharing anecdotes including a playful nod to “Mary On A Cross,” which he described as “an old B-side my dad used to sing.” The concert culminated with an energetic three-song encore, featuring “Dance Macabre” and finishing with the well-known hit “Square Hammer,” bringing the evening to a rousing close.
With their cascade of theatricality, musical precision, and growing global fanbase, Ghost continues to solidify their position within the rock and metal scene. Their performance in Birmingham served as a showcase for both their evolving sound and extravagant stagecraft, offering a comprehensive experience that resonated strongly with devoted followers and newcomers alike.
Source: Noah Wire Services