Ghost

How does one describe the band Ghost to those who do not know them?

One part ABBA, one part Cirque du Soleil, and one part King Diamond (an 80's metal singer who specialized in Satan-y/Scary Rock... he used to scare me)?

I've been a fan of Ghost for the past decade since seeing them perform on  the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 

Band leader Tobias Forge (a Swede) hasn't reinvented the wheel, but he has created a small universe. Much like KISS, he brings theatrics and awe to his shows. Elaborate stage set ups, make up, fire, explosions, mixed with a lot of tongue in cheek Satanic themes fill the shows, but when you really sit an examine the lyrics, the songs are about personal journeys. He just makes them fun with his Devilish twists.

Band members are known as the Nameless Ghouls. Each member is a Rock n Roll machine. They nail their parts and have mastered that connectivity with the crowd that so many other bands struggle to accomplish. Melody and crunch, all at once. 

I was amazed at the crowd last night. Old. Young. Men. Women. They/Them. All in equal numbers. I saw 8 year olds in Ghost make up. I saw people 10-15 years older than me in Ghost make up. Scary nuns were in abundance. Everybody was sharing the moment.  This was my second ritual. 

A big thanks to my childhood friend Lulu for the invite. 

(photo credit is from Ghost's Facebook page, but is a shot from the very show I am speaking of at Moda Center on 2.17.2026)