GHOST

From the moment I arrived at Climate Pledge Arena, it was clear that this would not be an ordinary concert night. The venue was completely packed, impeccably organized, and filled with fans dressed in elaborate outfits and detailed makeup, resembling a grand gothic gathering. The atmosphere felt ceremonial even before the first note was played. Climate Pledge Arena itself is a venue unlike any other. The level of technology is extraordinary, and every detail appears to be carefully planned and executed with precision. From the seamless coordination with senior marketing leadership to the remarkable organization throughout the building, the experience felt world-class from start to finish. Photographers were escorted to the pit on time and given clear instructions to prepare their gear. As per standard arena policy, we were allowed to photograph only the first three songs — no flash. Then, showtime.

The evening was also a phone-free experience. No one — including photographers — was permitted to bring phones into the venue. Devices were securely locked upon entry and returned at the end of the night. This created an immersive atmosphere where everyone was fully present, experiencing the performance without screens. It was refreshing and, honestly, powerful. The band opened with ‘Peacefield,’ immediately igniting the arena. The audience erupted within seconds. The venue was intensely bright at times, creating a technical challenge for my Gear, but it also showcased the production’s massive scale. This was only the beginning of a theatrical spectacle. The stage was transformed into a massive cathedral-like structure, complete with towering, colorful stained-glass-style windows featuring dark, devilish imagery. The visual production elevated the performance into something closer to a rock opera than a traditional concert. Backing vocalists appeared with bat-like wings, adding a mysterious and almost ritualistic atmosphere to the performance.

Each member of the band maintained strong interaction with the audience throughout the night. The Tobias Forge commanded the stage with charisma and confidence, moving across every inch of it — even disappearing beneath the stage at one point, only to suddenly reappear from the floor with a cowbell and delivered to a backing vocal to start ‘Umbra’, sending the crowd into a frenzy. He also reminded Seattle that they were back because of the fans, referencing a much earlier show at El Corazon — a nod that longtime followers clearly appreciated. During ‘Mummy Dust,’ the arena exploded with confetti shaped like fake dollar bills featuring the number 666 and Papa’s own face. It was theatrical, humorous, and perfectly aligned with the band’s signature style. At the end of ‘Kiss The Go-Goat,’ he playfully sent a kiss to each section of the arena before delivering an exaggerated, amplified “smack” into the microphone, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd. ‘Rats’ was visually stunning, featuring a hostile, lava-filled background set against a dark sky. Each musician appeared dramatically silhouetted against the blackened backdrop during solos, creating powerful, almost cinematic moments.

One unexpected moment came when someone threw a large piece of underwear onto the stage. The Tobias picked it up, examined it, and joked, “Is this yours? There’s no way this is yours,” playfully interacting with the audience and demonstrating the band’s effortless stage humor. At one point, he appeared dressed as Papa V Perpetua, and the crowd erupted once again, proving how deeply connected the fans are to every era and character transformation. He also took a moment to acknowledge Richie, the Touring Security Director, mentioning that he may soon be touring with Journey. The crowd began chanting “Richie! Richie!” repeatedly, turning a behind-the-scenes figure into part of the night’s celebration. In the end, Ghost delivered far more than a concert. They created a fully immersive theatrical production that combined precision, humor, darkness, and spectacle. Climate Pledge Arena became a cathedral of sound, and Seattle witnessed a performance that blurred the line between rock show and dramatic ritual.

SETLIST
‘Peacefield’, ‘Lachryma’, ‘Spirit’, ‘Per Aspera Ad Inferi’, ‘Faith’, ‘Majesty’, ‘The Future Is A Foreign Land’, ‘Devil Church’, ‘Cirice’, ‘Darkness At The Heart Of My Love’, ‘Satanized’, ‘Satan Prayer’, ‘Umbra’, ‘Year Zero’, ‘He Is’, ‘Rats’, ‘Kiss The Go-Goat’, ‘Mummy Dust’, ‘Monstrance Clock’, ‘Mary On A Cross’, ‘Dance Macabre’, ‘Square Hammer’.