Written by: Christie Bilbo
Photos by Javier Vicencio
Last night (August 15), the ghouls were out at Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth—long before Halloween to be witness to the band Ghost. The night was filled with excitement as The Congregation, the name their followers use, gathered in Fort Worth.
As someone who loves anything related to skeletons, I genuinely felt at home among my people. There were people dressed as nuns with skeleton faces, and occasionally a priest was seen walking through the crowd. Someone was dressed as Jesus, prompting the crowd to chant “Jesus.” Several attendees were dressed in all black, similar to what you’d see at a Catholic funeral. A few individuals roaming around wore Cappello Romano hats and dressed as members of the Franciscan Order.
The scene was filled with so much purple, sequins, and lace that you might have thought it was a Prince concert. That was until they turned around, revealing faces painted in black with skull imagery. To say that this crowd wasn’t into the band is like saying Kiss fans aren’t passionate about their concerts—both were equally intense.
One unusual aspect of this concert was that all phones had to be put in bags and sealed, emphasizing the importance of being present in the moment. Photography was only permitted by media personnel. It was interesting to see attendees walking around with pouches holding their phones, which was a distinct difference from typical concerts. I appreciated not having thousands of cameras distracting us from the performance.
When you entered the arena and settled into your seat or standing spot, your first view was of these tattered drapes around the stage. They contributed a sense of mystery to the evening. The music of the singing monks echoed through the arena, heightening the anticipation for what was to come.
At 8:15 p.m., as the song “Peacefield” began, only lead singer and founder Tobias Forge was visible in his character, Papa V Perpetua. Wearing a half-mask of a silver skull, his image appeared on screens beside the stage. Once the band was fully assembled, smoke billowed behind the curtains, and then they dropped!
The Congregation went wild!
As Papa Emeritus took front and center, no one was sitting down. With songs like “Spirit,” “Devil Church,” “Satanized,” “Kiss the Go-Goat,” and “He is,” the crowd was entranced, and the arena was filled with enthusiasm. For two hours, the arena was entombed by a throng of worthy worshippers grooving to the music of Ghost.
The band Ghost has been involved in several controversies. Past members have claimed they are owed royalties and have raised issues about financial transparency. Additionally, the band is known for its Satanic imagery and themes, which were evident last night. They used an upside-down cross, with Papa Emeritus dressed in papal robes, while the Nameless Ghouls covered their faces, which sparked many debates. Songs like “Mary on the Cross” seems to open Pandora’s box, so to speak. “Square Hammer” contains numerous references to Freemasonry. Meanwhile, “Kiss the Go-Goat” discusses Satan, Lucifer, and Osculum Obscenum—meaning the obscene kiss.
I recall the 80s when King Diamond emerged. Many people were upset by the demonic imagery and his music. Similarly, in the 60s, there was a reaction to Black Sabbath. Even some of the Beatles’ songs faced criticism. Often, people overinterpret these things, not realizing they’re just onstage personas.
Using upside-down crosses, dressing in papal outfits, and singing about Satan will spark plenty of discussions. However, this approach also attracts attention. Take Kiss as an example: their wild makeup and band names, such as Demon, Starchild, Spaceman, and Catman, initially caused controversy. Yet, this controversy helped catapult Kiss to enormous success, and their style contributed significantly to the rise of arena rock.
I see music as a deeply personal experience; everyone’s tastes are unique. Whether it’s country, pop, rap, K-pop, heavy metal, blues, jazz, classical, or any other genre — the key is what sounds good to you. If a genre doesn’t appeal to you, feel free to skip it. I compare my view of music to my opinion of cilantro: I dislike cilantro myself, but I don’t judge anyone who enjoys it. If you like foods that taste like soap, that’s your choice.
Ghost demonstrated last night that they have a loyal fanbase. Despite many empty seats, thousands of people attended. This shows that people enjoy the shock value and are willing to pay to see this band.
Many concerts are happening right now. Go get yourself a ticket, immerse yourself in the music, and enjoy the experience.
I’ll see you at the next concert.
