Ghost Skeletour Review: Glasgow Ritual OVO Hydro 2025
- Dominique Adams
- Apr 18
- 6 min read
Photo Credit: @ryancphoto (Offical Band Pictures)
Ghost's Skeletour has officially kicked off, and I was lucky enough to snag tickets to the second stop on their tour in Glasgow at the OVO Hydro. Here's my honest take on the night, the performance, and what it was like attending with the Anointed package... and on crutches.
Let’s rewind a bit. When I booked my tickets, I had two functioning legs. Fast forward to showtime, and I was rocking crutches with a busted up knee, dosed up on painkillers and honestly a bit nervous about attending alone. But I’m so glad I went. I’d decided to treat myself to the Anointed Package. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Mostly yes. Honestly though, I would have gone for the Front Row Apostle package if any had still been available, but those sold out practically instantly.
Because of the injury, I arrived late and missed check-in, along with several of the perks that came with the package. And just to top it off, I realised en route that I’d forgotten my photo ID. At that point, it all felt like one big disaster. Thankfully, the Anointed package came with a WhatsApp number for support. I sent a frantic message explaining my situation and asking whether I should go to the check-in hall in the SEC or straight to the OVO Hydro. A lovely woman named Jada replied almost immediately and solved all my problems!
She said photos of my ID would be fine and to a picture of my ticket and package receipt, which I sent via Whatsapp. She then told me to go straight to the VIP desk and explain that she was expecting me. Jada met me promptly at the door, where security helped me pop my phone into one of those Yondr pouches. From there, everything ran smoothly.
Truthfully, if I’d been stuck in the standard queues with my crutches, I probably would’ve had to turn back and go home. So, a huge shoutout to the Ghost tour crew who made it an easy experience for me. However, it's worth noting that plenty of people with standard standing or seated tickets have told me (on TikTok and Instagram) that the queues and entry were pure chaos and an utter shambles. So I count myself very lucky that wasn’t my experience.
Getting to the Barrier & Show Start
The queue for Anointed ticket holders was separate and organised by check-in number, so depending on when you arrived, that determined your place in the line. Naturally, since I was late, I was the very last in that queue. As part of the package, we were given a merch water bottle and our VIP lanyard. I couldn’t even take my merch away at the time because, of the crutches and lack of free hands.
At around 6:30pm, Anointed and other package holders were taken into the main hall. There, a line of security staff held up a length of traffic tape to keep us in order. The idea was a calm walk to the barrier, but let’s be real, it turned into a chaotic shuffle. People ignored the instructions, surged forward, and I got shunted all the way to the far left of the barrier. I’d really hoped to make it to the front so I could lean on the barricade instead of depending on my crutches all night. Sadly, that didn’t happen. I was just at the end of the barricade, by one person, and had to rest on one of the less stable and moveable barriers - it was meh but whatever.
Before our group was allowed to walk to the barrier, the Front Row Apostles finished their tour of the stage and were guided to pick their perfect barrier spots at their leisure - no pushing, no rushing. Honestly, I would have paid more for that level of serenity. If you’re considering VIP packages for future shows and can afford the Apostle tier, just do it.
After securing my spot, then came the wait. With no phone, no Kindle, and nothing to distract me, time really started to drag. Normally I’d pass the time with a bit of Duolingo or get stuck into a book while waiting for a show to start, but not this time. I couldn't even pop in my headphones to drown out the general busy noise, which can easily exhaust an ADHD sufferer like me.
The show ended up starting about 15 to 20 minutes late, and I do wonder if that was intentional, perhaps to allow for the delays in getting everyone into the venue, so no one missed the opening of the performance. However, the moment those first instruments struck up and the big black curtain came crashing down, it was all worth it. Every ache, every delay, every awkward shuffle on crutches—it all disappeared in that instant. The atmosphere shifted, the crowd roared, and I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
Ghost's Performance & Costume Review - No Spoilers
Since this is the start of the tour and there’s so much fresh content packed into these shows, I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t had their ritual yet. What I will say is that it’s clear the stage budget has absolutely skyrocketed. The sets, the screens, the pyros, the costumes, it’s all next-level. I am living for the Ghouls’ new look in their sparkly skeleton glory.
My view of the stage was partially obscured, so I just surrendered to the music and soaked up the experience of hearing my favourite band live. And honestly? That was more than enough.
There was one moment of unplanned chaos when an inflatable set piece failed to launch properly and nearly took out a couple of Ghouls, which, as far as I know, was the only noticeable hiccup of the night.
The setlist was a solid mix of new material, from the upcoming album, and a few beloved classics that have become staples of any Ghost show—Year Zero, Mummy Dust, Rats, to name just a few. And my goodness, did we get treated to a long, generous, and utterly satisfying show.
Frontman Tobias Forge delivered an epic performance. Now unhampered by his previous Cardinal Copia mask, it was so much easier to see his facial expressions, hear the clarity in his vocals, and witness just how much he was enjoying himself on stage. His new Papa V Perpetua persona brings with it a striking aesthetic - think big hats with elaborate, high-collared robes adorned with shimmering skeletal motifs that give him a regal, almost supernatural presence. To be honest, he was kind of scary looking, his skull mask evoking childhood trauma from watching Terminator 1 too young.
The Nameless Ghouls have also had a glow-up, now decked out in winged, skeletal-inspired costumes that perfectly complement Papa V’s majestic look, adding to the immersive spectacle of the show. However, I must remind you I could barely see the stage so I only got flashes and silver glimpses of them.
Thoughts on the No Phone Policy
I’ll admit, I was a little apprehensive about the no-phone policy at first, but honestly, it didn’t detract from the experience at all. If anything, it enhanced it. With no phones blocking the view or people pushing forward for the perfect shot, the crowd felt more present, more respectful, and more connected to the moment.
Speaking to Blabbermouth, Tobias Forge addressed the motivation behind the policy, clarifying that it’s not about copyright or controlling content, as many have speculated. Instead, it’s about creating a truly immersive experience for fans. He said:
"Some of the best shows I've ever been to, I have maybe not even seen a picture from that because they all live here [in my head]. They live in my core. That's the memory I have of that. And that is an experience I wish for."
Personally, I think he’s spot on. I genuinely felt more engaged and in the moment, focused on what I could actually see on stage. It made the performance feel intimate and uniquely ours—something that only we in the room shared. I do feel for those who couldn’t get tickets and were hoping to enjoy snippets from the audience.
I’ll admit, I love scrolling through gig footage after a show and reliving the energy, the atmosphere, the little details you miss the first time around. So yes, I’ll mourn not having that digital keepsake, but Tobias’s point landed, and I respect it.
As for logistics, the phone policy didn’t slow down entry at all. The Yondr pouches were easy to use and simple to unlock on the way out—about as quick as dropping off a reusable cup. There were plenty of unlocking stations around the venue too, so if you really needed your device, you could use it. You’d just have to give up your spot, which is a fair trade-off. One small inconvenience, but all in all? It worked, and it worked well.
Final Thoughts ...
Attending Ghost’s Skeletour in Glasgow was, despite the unexpected physical hurdles, an unforgettable experience. From the professionalism of the tour staff to the sheer scale and theatrical brilliance of the show, it was worth every bit of the stress it took to get there. The Anointed package had its limitations (especially when you’re on crutches), but the support I received made all the difference.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering Ghost, the current live experience is their most ambitious and immersive yet, in my humble opinion.
Get Tickets: https://ghost-official.com/
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