The Tivoli Theatre featured an uncommon occurrence on stage Thursday night when Swedish metal band Ghost floated into town. Known for their spectacularly ghoulish performances and antics, fans in the Scenic City were in for an interesting night.
Billed as an “Evening With Ghost,” fans had an intimate encounter with the Nameless Ghouls and their newest leader and frontman, Cardinal Copia.
Part of the allure behind the band’s history and following is their reliance on anonymity and mystery. The six Nameless Ghouls outfitted in their traditional black garments and silver masks delivered a heavy metal performance for the Chattanooga crowd. The speechless Ghouls are the musical backbone of the group and displayed their solid musicianship.
The main anticipation, however, was for the new man on stage leading the Ghouls. With each new album and tour, Ghost has traditionally welcomed a “new” leader to perform their so-called rituals (concerts in layman’s terms). It was announced after the last tour that Papa Emeritus III’s position in the band was being filled by newcomer Cardinal Copia.
With a new album, Prequelle, due out next month, the band is out on their “Rats on the Road” Tour all this spring across the U.S. The headlining tour will take Ghost across the country with stops in historic theatres such as the Tivoli.
Doors opened an hour before show time to let fans fill the theatre early. There didn’t appear to be a single seat open by the time the lights dimmed and the curtain opened. From that moment the crowd rose to their feet and banged their heads throughout the show to Ghost’s haunting hooks.
Cardinal Copia took several opportunities during the night to talk with the Chattanooga crowd. His demeanor and attitude was probably not what one would expect from a dark and satanic-themed metal band. At one point in the show he kneeled down at the edge of the stage to greet a tiny fan, a girl of about five or six years old, as he waved and blew a kiss.
Ghost delivered a dark and powerful set of metal that encompassed a sizable sampling of their catalogue. Cardinal Copia looked quite comfortable in his new role as well and the band didn’t miss a beat under his leadership.
The Grammy-winning metal troupe will continue their “Rats on the Road” tour throughout the spring and introduce their newest leader and songs to the masses. Tennesseans will have two more chances to catch Ghost on this tour with stops coming up in Nashville and Memphis. The full tour schedule is below:
May 05, 2018 - Riverside, CA - RMA
May 06, 2018 - Tucson, AZ - Tucson Music Hall
May 08, 2018 - Houston, TX - Revention
May 10, 2018 - Chattanooga, TN - Tivoli
May 11, 2018 - Cincinnati, OH - The Taft Theatre
May 12, 2018 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
May 13, 2018 - Columbus, OH - Express Live
May 15, 2018 - Port Chester, NY - The Capitol Theatre
May 16, 2018 - Syracuse, NY - Crouse Hinds Theater
May 18, 2018 - Pittsburgh, PA - Benedum Center
May 19, 2018 - Philadelphia, PA - WMMR BBQ
May 20, 2018 - Washington, DC - Warner Theatre
May 22, 2018 - Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
May 23, 2018 - Nashville, TN - Tennessee PAC
May 25, 2018 - St. Louis, MO - Peabody Opera House
May 26, 2018 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma
May 27, 2018 - Memphis, TN - Cannon Center
May 29, 2018 - Ft. Wayne, IN - The Clyde Theater
May 31, 2018 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater
June 01, 2018 - St. Paul, MN - The Palace Theater