Ghost frontman Tobias Forge has planted his crucifix firmly in the ground: no phones on the 2025 Ghost tour. Yep, Papa Emeritus himself wants your iPhone locked away tighter than a nun’s gin stash.

So is this a masterstroke of rock ’n’ roll theatre – or a daft way to annoy fans who just want a blurry photo of their favorite satanic Swedes? Let’s dive in. 🤘

🎭 Why Ghost Want the Ban

Ghost aren’t your average band. They don’t just walk on, plug in, and shout “CARDIFF HOW WE DOING!?” – they summon a whole bloody ritual. Forge has always said Ghost is more theatre than gig, and mobiles ruin the illusion faster than someone yelling “ALAAAAN!” in the middle of the sermon.

He argues:

  • The shows are sacred spaces for connection.
  • The masks, costumes, pyros, and spooky choirs are meant to be seen live, not via TikTok in potato quality.
  • And most importantly – you can’t get lost in the darkness if you’re busy unlocking your phone every five minutes.

It’s like watching Phantom of the Opera but with 200 people waving screens around. Not exactly spine-chilling, is it?

🤘 The Good: Why a Phone Ban Slaps

  • Atmosphere Upgrade – Without the glow of 5,000 phones, the stage looks like it should: hellfire and smoke. No distractions.
  • Respect the Ritual – Ghost shows are designed like gothic cinema. Papa wants the shocks and reveals saved for that night, not leaked on YouTube.
  • Memories That Stick – Fans say when they’re not filming, they remember way more. You don’t need grainy footage – your brain is the best camera.
  • No Human Tripods – We’ve all stood behind that one tall bloke filming the entire gig. Not this time, butt. 👊

📱 The Bad: Why It Might Be a Buzzkill

  • Fans Want Souvenirs – A cheeky selfie or a quick clip is part of the ritual. Some fans collect setlist vids like others collect ticket stubs.
  • Accessibility Issues – For some fans, phones are more than toys – they’re lifelines for communication, health, or anxiety. Taking them away is stressful.
  • Promo Power Loss – Let’s be real: half of Ghost’s rise was fans spamming clips online. A ban cuts off free hype.
  • Merch vs Memories – Sure, you can buy a £40 t-shirt, but some people value the little video they took on the night just as much.

⚖️ Riff Report Verdict

Honestly? Both sides are right. For Ghost, the ban fits. Their shows are like black mass Broadway – and locking phones makes the atmosphere electric. But for fans, it can feel controlling.

Maybe the compromise is:

  • No full recordings, but a chance to grab a few photos or short clips before the show really kicks off.
  • Bands like Tool and Jack White have tried similar bans – some fans loved it, some hated it.
  • The Prodigy even experimented with “no phones during certain tracks.” It was chaos, but lush chaos.

At the end of the day, it comes down to what kind of gig-goer you are:

  • Are you there for the ritual, the riffs, the fire and brimstone? 🔥
  • Or do you need that 20-second clip to prove to your mate down the pub you were really there? 🍻

💬 Over to You!

What do you reckon, riffers?

  • Is Tobias Forge protecting the dark magic of Ghost?
  • Or is this just another example of bands being control freaks?

Drop your thoughts below – and diolch for reading, you beautiful sinners. 🖤