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Papa’s Back: An Evening with Ghost

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Papa Emeritus Returns to South Florida to Deliver a Spooky Sunday Sermon at Their Electrifying Miami “Ritual” – Photos and Review of the Ghost Concert at the Kaseya Center in Miami, FL

The Kaseya Center was transformed into a cathedral of the macabre last night as Ghost, the Swedish occult rock phenomenon, brought their highly anticipated Skeletour 2025 to South Florida. With no opening act to dilute the experience, the devoted congregation of fans (known as the Ghouls and Ghoulettes) were treated to an uninterrupted evening of theatrical grandeur, satanic sermonizing, and anthemic rock—and Miami’s faithful congregation wouldn’t have had it any other way. Further contributing to the lack of interruption was the use of Yondr bags to lock up everyone’s phones, ensuring that the audience’s focus would always be on enjoying the show, not texting away all night or blocking someone’s view by taking videos.

The devotion of Ghost’s fans was on full display, where the congregation arrived in full ritual attire—elaborate face paint, flowing black robes, and even full Papa Emeritus regalia. Some Ghouls and Ghoulettes spent hours perfecting their makeup to mirror the band’s iconic Nameless Ghoul masks, while others wielded handmade props like rosaries and inverted crosses. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a gathering of the faithful, and dressing the part was as essential as knowing every lyric, proof of the cult-like passion Ghost inspires.

From the moment the lights dimmed and the eerie choral chants of Allegri’sMiserere” filled the arena, it was clear that Ghost’s unholy ritual was about to begin as the stage, covered by a huge torn curtain that allowed fans a small peek at the madness that awaited them, began to glow. The haunting intro toPeacefield began to emanate through the speakers, and the Nameless Ghouls took their positions on stage bathed in eerie blue light just before the curtain dropped amid the bangs of flares and roars from the crowd.

Tobias Forge—embodying the latest incarnation of his Papa character: ‘V Perpetua’ —emerged, launching right into an incredible setlist, starting out by showcasing their latest album “Sketelta“. The energy never let up from there, as Ghost tore through a career-spanning setlist that balanced fan favorites like “Spirit” and “Call Me Little Sunshine” with deep cuts “From the Pinnacle to the Pit” and “Stand By Him“. Forge was in top form, delivering his signature mix of sinister charm and playful banter in between expertly belting out impressive vocal performances.

True to Ghost’s reputation, the stage production was immaculate—gothic cathedral backdrops, synchronized pyro, and dramatic lighting elevated every song. The Nameless Ghouls, clad in their sleek skeletal-themed attire, delivered flawless musicianship, particularly on the dual-guitar harmonies of Mummy Dust and Rats, and their six-stringed mastery was made even more impressive by the fact that one of them was playing with a broken foot the entire night. The production was further amplified by Forge’s numerous costume changes, with multiple get-ups for both Papa V and his old-school full Papal Regalia that called back to previous “Papas” during older songs like “Year Zero“.

The main set closed with the anthemic Monstrance Clock“, before Ghost returned for a three-song encore that left the crowd breathless. Mary on a Cross and Dance Macabre turned the arena into an unholy choir, and finally, Square Hammer sent fans home in a euphoric, hymn-like trance. Ghost’s Skeletour 2025 stop in Miami was a masterclass in rock and roll theatrics—a perfect fusion of horror, humor, and irresistible hooks—and I cant wait to see what Tobias comes up with next!

Gleb Barabanov is South Florida Insider's Vice President, Graphic Designer and Webmaster, as well as a Photographer and Writer covering events all over the world. Originally born in Odessa, Ukraine, Gleb now calls the sunny Florida area home, where he attended Full Sail University and received a Bachelors of Arts in Film Production. Gleb is obsessed with music, cameras, guitars, and his Shiba Inu, Yoshi

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