During an appearance on Loudwire Nights (October 14), Tobias Forge reflected on Ghost’s achievements with Skeleta and shed light on the direction of their next tour. The album, released in April 2025, climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard charts — a milestone that holds significance, Forge said, beyond mere numbers. “Behind the curtains, in the industry, it means a lot … your name is a little bit more seriously taken,” he remarked.
One of the most discussed changes in Ghost’s live shows lately is their strict no-phone policy. Fans entering concerts must surrender their devices (often via Yondr pouches), creating a phone-free environment. Forge defended this decision: “The show is definitely enhanced by this fact … people see a show for the first time in 10 years” instead of through their screen. He believes this shift leads to more genuine, engaged performance moments.
Forge admitted Ghost has long considered such policies. After doing “phone-free” nights during the filming of Rite Here, Rite Now, they saw crowds more immersed and less distracted. He’s hopeful more bands will adopt similar methods, forcing venues and promoters to adapt.
As for the future, Ghost’s Skeletour is already underway, spanning Europe and North America across 2025. The band has confirmed that more dates will come into 2026 as they continue riding the Skeleta wave.
Forge also shared a brief but meaningful admission: after years of continuous touring and production, he “hit a wall.” The burnout of 2024 forced him to step back, prioritize recovery, and re-focus before diving into the next phase.
He’s not planning anything overly ambitious right now — no long-term blueprints or multi-year plans. He’s savoring the present. “I’m simply not going to go into the studio when I’m done with this tour … that’s a good feeling,” he said.
In the same conversation, he also reminisced about performing the Black Sabbath tribute at Back to the Beginning. He had pushed for detuning the entire set so his vocal range would better match, but not everyone agreed. Still, Forge prioritized honoring Ozzy and the music itself.
Ghost is currently navigating an era of evolution — new lore (they’ve introduced the persona Papa V Perpetua), a more introspective album, and live shows that demand participation over documentation. If this interview is any indication, Forge aims to keep pushing boundaries without losing the raw emotional connection that underpins Ghost’s appeal.
