The Swedish rock band Ghost made a stop Thursday night at the packed Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit. This time around for Ghost who played in Detroit back in 2018 at the historic Fillmore just 5 minutes (walking) up the street finally got to do it at the bigger venue known around here as the LCA. This is Ghost biggest North American tour to date. Long lines could be seen wrapped around the building from all directions the merch lines were crazy as well. Fans were all dressed up in their iconic Ghost wear walking through the LCA greeted with cheers the fans, who were definitely ready to let loose.
Shortly after 8:00 Ghost took the stage opening with “Peaceful” off the bands 2024 album Skeleta. Frontman Tobias Forge hit the stage decked in all black from head to toe dawning the iconic silver mask with the nameless ghouls dressed in all black as well. The theatrical Swedish band immediately took control of the night following up the opening song with a heavy hitter and my favorite song “Lachryma (Latin for: tear).” This event was a no phone policy and that was refreshing to watch for once like it was way back before the phone invasion. The 22-song-set was masterful in all ways keeping the fans rocking and engaged all night long. Confetti lined the floor of the LCA along with having a raised drum set complete with steps along with some big-time soundtracks.
Swaying hands in the air and throwing horns the fans exploded with the TikTok fave “Mary on the Cross” and “Dance Macabre” holy hell what a site to see. Forge sounded amazing gaging with the clergy all night long. Guitar rips were a plenty through the 2-hour-set. Skeleta the bands sixth album track which is a total banger of a song had the crowd in neck braces the following morning with “Sanitized” another heavy hitter, kind of like the ole one-two-gut punch. Papa V Perpetua aka El Mago is always thinking what’s next while being in the now. Speaking of the ole one-two-punch the encore was complete fire as in BANGER ALERT! Starting off the encore with “Mary on a Cross” “Dance Macabre” and finishing with “Square Hammer.” I’m thrilled to have had the chance to cover Ghost from the smaller early day venues to having massive world tour’s speaks volume indeed and what Tobias Forge has masterminded over the band 15-year exitance. The tour is fresh and still early on so please do yourself a favor and check them out in a city near you! Keep Rocking America!
Ghost performing live at the LCA, July 24, 2025
