WORDS AND IMAGES BY BILLY SEAGRAVE
“There Is Something Regal About The Performance, A Theatrical Masterpiece”
As Ghost brought their post Imperia headline show to Manchester’s AO Arena, Billy Seagrave joined the congregation along with the nameless Ghouls for a night of satanic Rituals, delivered by Papa Emeritus IV.
Let’s lay the cards on the table, Ghost have year upon year album upon album, forged a pathway to fill stadiums and totally entertain the masses, the clamber to be part of the rituals see so many of the audience wearing their own variations of the band tonight, ghoulish make up post and steam punk adaptations fill the venue. Opening proceedings this evening are Twin Temple Alexandra James and Zachary James, after duly covering the front rows with Holy water, Alexandra James began their set, only to have a technical hitch with her microphone, as the band played on the problem was quickly rectified. What a perfect act to open for our hosts tonight, a fusion of funky Doo-wop with satanic undertones, absolutely fanning the flames of the gathering crowd.
Uncle Acid and the deadbeats are a different proposition, the British based rockers are a straightforward no nonsense band, they rely on thrashing out big tunes that gets the approval of the crowd, “We are Uncle Acid, and we are here to ruin your night”. Are the bands opening address to the crowd, for me it was clear the band were making the most of their chance on the big stage, shades of Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple emanate out to the rather appreciative audience.
The stage has been transformed ready for Papa Emeritus and his nameless Ghouls. The stage is hidden behind a huge white curtain the covers the whole stage. As the lights go down and a silhouette of a nameless ghoul is projected on to the stage, the curtain drops and the ghouls march forward right up to the front, dressed like a cross from a steam punk with all black costumes and blacked out goggles and one of Dr Who’s Cybermen, A back drop of stain glass windows light up the rear of the huge stage, the drums are aloft a pyramid stage perfectly lit. “Have you any idea how good it is to be back in Manchester”? Exclaims Papa Emeritus, there is no holding them back covering the whole stage, lighting rigs filling the stage from every angle. There is something regal about the performance, a theatrical masterpiece that is delivered to a crowd not only embracing the ritual, but they are also satanic Master of Music, Imperia has already had a huge impact on their following, given that they could draw from a huge back catalogue, it’s clear that the congregation is growing and they like the sermon being given. With several costume changes varying pyro explosions and a huge canon confetti, that covers the crowd, the evening has been another triumph for Ghost, this a tour and a show that has to be experienced and savoured.
SET LIST
1/ KAISARION
2/ RATS
3/ FROM THE PINNACLE TO THE PIT
4/ SPILLWAYS
5/ DEVIL CHURCH
6/ CALL ME LITTLE SUNSHINE
7/ MIASMA
8/ CIRICE
9/ HUNTER’S MOON
10/ FAITH
11/ HELVESTESFONSTER
12/ YEAR ZERO
13/ HE IS
14/ RITUAL
15/ MUMMY DUST
16/ KISS THE GO GOAT
FOLLOW GHOST
FOLLOW TWIN TEMPLE
FOLLOW UNCLE ACID
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
