Mexico City was primed for a ritual… but Ghost’s show at Palacio de los Deportes on 23 September was axed at the absolute eleventh hour after Papa Emeritus V — Tobias Forge himself — was struck down with a nasty case of food poisoning. Brutal timing, mun. Fans were already inside the venue when the announcement dropped, leaving thousands gutted.
The band’s statement explained the sudden cancellation and confirmed that refunds for online purchases are already in motion. If you bought your ticket in person, head back to your original point of purchase for the refund.
What Happened?
One minute you’ve got Nameless Ghouls tuning up, the next minute the show’s binned. Forge had apparently been knocked flat by food poisoning earlier in the day, and while Ghost rarely cancel shows, there was no way he could pull this one off.
And let’s be real — we all want the guy spitting fire onstage, not battling dodgy tacos backstage. 🌮🔥
Damage Control Done Right
The band were quick to reassure fans that the 24 & 25 September shows in Mexico City would still go ahead. No mass panic, no tour derailment — just one unlucky night sacrificed to the porcelain gods.
By the very next evening, Tobias was back in his robes, taking to the mic with an apology:
“I’m so sorry about last night.”
Class act. Proper job.
Fans React 🤘
- Some were tamping (imagine queueing for hours, pint in hand, and then the rug gets pulled).
- Others were just glad it wasn’t more serious, and that refunds were on the way.
- And plenty turned up the next night ready to scream along to Square Hammer like nothing happened.
That’s Ghost fans for you — resilient, a little dramatic, and always ready for the sermon.
The Riff Report Verdict 🎤
- Last-minute cancellations suck. People were already in the venue when the axe fell.
- But health comes first. Nobody wants Forge collapsing mid-Year Zero.
- Refunds = tidy damage control. Fair play to the Ghost camp.
- The show went on. Two more Mexico City gigs happened, Papa apologised, and balance was restored.
Final Word 🩸
Ghost have always been a band that takes the theatrics as seriously as the tunes — so when they cancel, you know it’s for a reason. Heal up, Papa V. Next time, maybe stick to bottled water and plain crisps before a ritual in Mexico.
We need you blessing the pit, not bowing to the loo, mun. 🤘🇲🇽
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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