GHOST performed at Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 4 as part of the Skeletour World Tour, delivering another evening of theatrical grandeur that has come to define the band's arena-level shows. Tobias Forge, in his latest persona as Papa V Perpetua — resplendent in purple vestments, claw-tipped gloves, and the character's signature sparkly skull mask — commanded the stage with the confidence of a seasoned ringmaster presiding over a dark carnival.
The Nameless Ghouls provided the musical backbone with razor-sharp precision, blending heavy riffs with the elaborate stage production that has become GHOST's calling card. The setlist featured a generous 22-song selection, mixing "Skeleta" album tracks with fan favorites spanning the band's entire discography. This particular night saw "Stand by Him" and "Elizabeth" rotated into the performance, giving Cincinnati fans rare deep cuts not heard at every stop on the tour.
The phone-free policy, enforced through Yondr pouches locked at the entrance, continues to draw unanimous praise from attendees who appreciate the fully immersive concert experience. Without the forest of phone screens that plagues most modern concerts, fans reported feeling more connected to both the performance and each other — exactly the communal atmosphere Forge has said he envisioned when implementing the policy.
The Skeletour production features one of the most elaborate stage setups in current touring, with gothic cathedral-inspired architecture, synchronized lighting, theatrical interludes between songs, and pyrotechnic effects that transform the arena into GHOST's fictional universe. Next stop: Peoria, Illinois on February 5 at Peoria Civic Center Arena, with the North American leg concluding February 23 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.