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Ghost Kicks Off Their World Tour with Theatrical Firepower and a Big Shift in the Band’s Lore

  • Writer: Chris Collett
    Chris Collett
  • Apr 17
  • 4 min read

Updated: Apr 22


Ghost Kicks Off Their World Tour
Photo by Ryan Chang

Ghost’s latest world tour launched in Manchester, England, and if the first night is any indication, fans are in for one hell of a ride. With a setlist that bounced between fan-favorite anthems and some deeper cuts, the band put on a spectacle that was as dramatic and polished as ever.

The night opened with the powerful “Peacefield,” a world premiere that instantly lit up the crowd. From there, the energy never dipped. Songs like “Lachryma,” “Spirit,” and “Cirice” had the audience singing along with every word, while the encore—featuring “Mary on a Cross,” “Dance Macabre,” and the ever-epic “Square Hammer”—wrapped things up on a high note.

As always, Ghost went all-in with the visual side of the show. The stage design, the lighting, the costumes—everything was dialed up to eleven. Theatrical without ever feeling cheesy, it’s the kind of live performance that makes you forget you’re at a concert and not in some twisted, beautiful rock opera.

But maybe the most buzzed-about moment of the night was the ceremonial farewell to Papa Emeritus IV. Fans knew it was coming, but that didn’t make it any less emotional. Tobias Forge, as always, carried the transformation with flair, introducing the next evolution of the band’s ever-shifting frontman: Papa V Perpetua. It’s a continuation of the lore that’s helped Ghost build such a loyal and invested fanbase—not just for the music, but for the ongoing mythology behind it.

What’s fascinating about Ghost is how seamlessly they’ve managed to weave storytelling into their identity without it ever overshadowing the music. Every new chapter brings a shift in style or theme, but the core of what makes the band work—those heavy, melodic riffs and hauntingly catchy hooks—stays firmly intact. And this new era already feels like it’s going to push that even further.

The Manchester crowd, for their part, seemed fully locked in. You could feel it in the way they responded to the deeper cuts, the way they roared at every costume change, and how reverently they embraced the final goodbye to Papa IV. It wasn’t just a concert—it was a ritual. A communal moment between band and fans who have been there through every twist in the storyline.

With the tour now officially underway, there’s no doubt Ghost is entering a bold new era. Whether you’re a longtime follower of the Clergy or someone who’s just here for the killer live show, this tour offers something special. If you get a chance to catch it in person, don’t miss it—because Ghost isn’t just performing. They’re evolving right in front of our eyes.




Setlist – April 15, 2025 – AO Arena, Manchester


  1. Peacefield (world premiere)

  2. Lachryma (live debut)

  3. Spirit (first time since 2019)

  4. From the Pinnacle to the Pit

  5. Majesty (first time since 2019)

  6. The Future Is a Foreign Land (live debut)

  7. Devil Church

  8. Cirice

  9. Darkness at the Heart of My Love (live debut)

  10. Satanized (live debut)

  11. Ritual

  12. Umbra (world premiere)

  13. Year Zero

  14. Spöksonat (played from tape)

  15. He Is

  16. Rats

  17. Kiss the Go-Goat

  18. Mummy Dust

  19. Monstrance Clock (first time since 2019)

Encore:

20. Mary on a Cross

21. Dance Macabre

22. Square Hammer



Upcoming Tour Dates

Ghost's Skeletour World Tour 2025 continues across Europe and North America. Here are some upcoming dates:


  • April 19, 2025 – London, UK – The O2

  • April 20, 2025 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena

  • April 22, 2025 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis

  • April 23, 2025 – Frankfurt, DE – Festhalle Frankfurt

  • April 24, 2025 – Munich, DE – Olympiahalle

  • April 26, 2025 – Lyon, FR – LDLC Arena

  • April 27, 2025 – Toulouse, FR – Zénith Toulouse Métropole

  • April 29, 2025 – Lisbon, PT – MEO Arena

  • April 30, 2025 – Madrid, ES – Palacio Vistalegre

  • May 3, 2025 – Zürich, CH – Hallenstadion

  • May 4, 2025 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum

  • May 7, 2025 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena

  • May 8, 2025 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome

  • May 10, 2025 – Lodz, PL – Atlas Arena

  • May 11, 2025 – Prague, CZ – O2 Arena

  • May 13, 2025 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena

  • May 14, 2025 – Oberhausen, DE – Rudolf Weber-Arena

  • May 15, 2025 – Hannover, DE – ZAG Arena

  • May 17, 2025 – Copenhagen, DK – Royal Arena

  • July 9, 2025 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena

  • July 11, 2025 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

  • July 12, 2025 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena

  • July 13, 2025 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center

  • July 15, 2025 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center

  • July 17, 2025 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

  • July 18, 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena

  • July 19, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

  • July 21, 2025 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

  • July 22, 2025 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

  • July 24, 2025 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

  • July 25, 2025 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center

  • July 26, 2025 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

  • July 28, 2025 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena

  • July 29, 2025 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum

  • July 30, 2025 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center

  • **August 1




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