GHOST; photo Reuben Martinez
Swedish band Ghost kicked off their “Rats on the Road” tour in Riverside, California on May 5. A SOLD OUT show. Obviously, they have a huge following and for a photographer, a dream to shoot.
But the great thing was that only Ghost performed this night, no supporting band. A full show with just them. There were only six photographers allowed to shoot this show, which made the photo pit less crowded.
GHOST; photo Reuben Martinez
If you follow the band, singer Papa Emeritus takes on a new persona as Cardinal Copia (with no black Pope outfit). There has been a big mystery going on with this band with the changes and direction. But as Ghost played on with some wardrobe changes, and a set list of songs that everyone was familiar with, the band did squeeze some of the new songs in between.
As the curtains opened the band of Nameless Ghouls, wearing their signature silver devil like masks, jumped into “Rats” the first single from the upcoming album Prequelle out Jun 1.
Another new song, “Miasma” featured
GHOST; photo Reuben Martinez
the band as an instrumental. In the middle of the song, Papa Nil (head of Ghost’s Clergy) emerged with two nuns, stood from his chair, pulled out his saxophone, and belted a solo. After playing a few more songs, the band took an intermission and then singer Cardinal Copia came back out in a typical red Cardinal robe.
GHOST; photo Reuben Martinez
Two full sets played over two hours was epic. During songs like “Mummy Dust” there were cannons shooting gold confetti creating a shiny flurry in the air. They also played the crowd favorite “If You Have Ghosts”, an early 80’s cover by Roky Erickson, ending the night with another new song, “Dance Macabre”.
All in all, it was a very exciting, visual show. Be sure to grab tickets for The Forum show at the end of the year because they will sell out again!
Song set list:
Ashes
Rats
Absolution
Ritual
Con Clavi Con Dio
Per Aspera ad Inferi
Devil Church
Cirice
Stand by Him
Miasma
Jigolo Har Megiddo
Pro Memoria
Deus in Absentia
Set II
Spirit
From the Pinnacle to the Pit
Faith
Year Zero
Spöksonat
He Is
Prime Mover
Mummy Dust
If You Have Ghosts
Dance Macabre