The weather gods were still being kind as, chauffeured by Mr A, we headed up a roadwork littered M8 through the rush hour traffic towards Glasgow. We rendezvoused with Master C and Boy Child then headed across the Clyde to join the growing queue outside the OVO Hydro.

So, who had we assembled to see?

Ghost!

The rail gods weren’t shining too kindly on us, and we ended up about five or six rows off the front. C’est la vie.

There were two support acts for the evening.

First out on stage were Twin Temple. Striking looking in their red and black outfits, the husband-and-wife duo, Alexandra and Zachary James, took to the stage shortly before seven for their all-too-short six song set. With an opening invitation to “Hail Satan” Alexandra worked the stage as though they were headlining and not opening the show. Twin Temple’s music is quirky, infectious, and best described as “Satanic Doo-Wop” with some Spanish blood thrown in (or spat out as was the case at the end of the set) for good measure. If Danny and Sandy from Grease discovered Satan, this might be what you’d get! And you know what, I loved every second of it. Twin Temple, Glasgow needs a headline show…hint…hint.

Second support were Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats… Thumper Principle requires to be applied here, I’m afraid. (If you can’t say nuffin’ nice, don’t say nuffin’ at all.)

Moving swiftly along.

A huge white curtain was raised to obscure the stage from view as the crew set up for Ghost.

Church music played through the PA peacefully setting the mood.

Shortly after nine, the church music grew louder, the lights dimmed and there was a hint of incense in the air (or was that the guy behind us vaping?)

The silhouette of a ghoul playing the opening to Kaisarion was clear for all to see outlined on the white curtain. In an explosion of lights and flames, Ghost were there on stage with front man Tobias Forge prowling the stage in his braided tailcoat.

Ghost (live) – Kaisarion – Hydro, Glasgow 2022 – YouTube

(credits to the owner via You Tube)

This was the first I’d really seen of the new look Steampunk ghouls. It is a tad creepy, a bit Dr Who-esque, but it works.

Kaisarion was promptly followed by the ever-popular Rats and From The Pinnacle To The Pit. A powerful trio to kickstart the set.

Over the years (it’s almost seven years since my first Ghost show in the much loved and long lost O2 ABC) Ghost have become more and more theatrical in their delivery but the ghouls, although still nameless, have been allowed to develop their part in proceedings and have developed personalities. While their front man slipped off stage for one of many costume changes, two of the ghouls enjoyed a playful guitar duel from opposite sides of the vast stage. I wouldn’t like to declare who won but playing Scotland The Brave captured the hearts of the Scottish fans giving an unfair advantage to one ghoul.

 Ghost (live) – Devil Church/ Guitar Dual/ Scotland The Brave – Hydro, Glasgow 2022 – YouTube

(credits to the owner via You Tube)

The twenty-song set saw four songs from Ghost’s current album, Impera, get an outing.

Resplendent in full sparkling papal robes, Papa Emeritus IV first graced us with his presence for Call Me Little Sunshine. This one perhaps didn’t quite live up to expectations live for me.

Ghost (live) – Call Me Little Sunshine – Hydro, Glasgow 2022 – YouTube

(credits to the owner via You Tube)

Another change of robes a couple of songs later preceded the beautiful He Is. One of my personal highlights of the show.

Miasma followed, complete with guest resurrection of Papa Nihil on sax. Loved it!

My favourite song of the night as always was Mummy Dust. Awesome.

Kiss The Go Goat rounded off the main body of the set.

As Ghost’s set has evolved over the years it’s a challenge to capture the entire theatre of it all in one short review. We had been treated to flames, incredible lighting, fireworks and the obligatory confetti cannons with Ghost dollars raining down on the crowd. (Yes, all four of us managed to snag some. Happy days!) Its nigh on impossible not to be swept up in the drama of a Ghost show.

Ghost returned to the stage for a three-song encore which opened with a cover of Metallica’s Enter Sandman. This was followed with Dance Macabre with Square Hammer bringing the evening’s ritual to an end.

As Emmylou Harris’s Sorrow In The Wind played, Ghost took their final bows to well earned adulation from their Scottish fans.

Awesome show…already looking forward to the next one.

But wait… for me, the icing on the cake was still to come. As we headed towards the exit across the confetti strewn floor, I was keeping my eyes peeled for any unclaimed Ghost dollar…then I spotted it! One wee pick lying in a nest of confetti. Happy girl!