Call Me In The Year Of The Goat

Ghost

Skeletour World Tour 2025 presented by Live Nation, O2 Arena Prague, Czech Republic 20250511

Back in 1875, „Vltava“ by Bedřich Smetana premiered in Prague. And 15 years ago, a Swedish occult Rock phenomenon released its first „Opus Eponymous“. As it set out for its most extended world tour up to date, the Czech capital seems like the perfect place to be. 

Easily to reach from cities like Dresden or Vienna by train, the first stop for fans is the Metalshop selling puppets, guitar plectrums, boots and a ton more merchandise pieces. Likes of HIM, Linkin Park or Machine Head shot their videos throughout the city. And on the day of the concert, Impericon hosts a Pop(e) Up Store of Ghost. 

One and a halft hours after opening, still many are queuing for an (pretty expensive) exclusive city shirt. Another two hours later, the line is gone. Some already have their make-up on, as the anticipation for the evening is high. In Austria, an early station for Ghost was the Szene Openair. From there, over Nova Rock and supporting Metallica at Ernst-Happel-Stadion, they went on to Stadthalle. 

Their meteoric rise, that brought them on the cover of the Rolling Stone, Rocks or Rock Hard, they accompanied by cartoons, smart viral content and the movie „Rite Here Rite Now“. Mobile phones are not allowed on this tour to strengthen the experience. Entering the O2 Arena, they are simply placed in a Yondr bag, which can be opened at restricted areas and given back after the show. The hall itself has a great size, so people without front of stage are not too far away, yet the seats go up high. 

Ghost open with the double „Peacefield“ and „Lachryma“ from their new album „Skeletá“. The main part is drenched with hits from „Meloria“ like „Cirice“, alternating with others like „The Future Is a Foreign Land“ (and bright) and „Darkness at the Heart of My Love“. The big ‚G‘ Cross of Saint Peter lighting rig catches the eye, like the church window projections that follow. 

Personal highlight is the sinster combination of „Year Zero“ and „He Is“. While the catholic pope is inaugurated, Papa V Perpetua sends kisses for „Kiss the Go-Goat“. Even though the audience is more about the younger songs, „Monstrance Clock“ is a fantastic closer before the encores „Mary on a Cross“, „Dance Macabre“ and „Square Hammer“. 

After almost two hours, the show still ends too soon and proofs the phone-free concept and that Ghost deserve this success. Since they started the Skeletour in the UK with pictures by Ross Halfin and this night by Milan Risky, Katerina Fialova and Ryan Chang, they will continue for weeks, concluding in Mexico. 

And for those, who want to visit a nice mid-size venue in Czechia, O2 Arena hosts Billie Eilish, Helloween, Roxette, Lucovico Einaudi, Kool & The Gang, The Universe of John Williams, Harry Potter in concert and much, much more.