Ghost is currently on the second leg of its bombastic Skeletour, and We Heart Music managed to chase them all the way from Minnesota to Peoria, Illinois, just to see how Papa V and his Nameless Ghouls are getting along.

A Cold Open with the Gesties

Ghost Setlist

Peacefield
Lachryma
Spirit
Elizabeth
From the Pinnacle to the Pit
Call Me Little Sunshine
The Future Is a Foreign Land
Devil Church
Cirice
Darkness at the Heart of My Love
Satanized
Satan Prayer
Umbra
Year Zero
He Is
Rats
Kiss the Go-Goat
Mummy Dust
Monstrance Clock

— Encore —
Mary on a Cross
Dance Macabre
Square Hammer

While Ghost currently has no opening act on the bill, we’ll gladly fill that space with the stories and faces of some of the Ghouls and Gesties who braved freezing temperatures to queue for their favorite band. A deeply dedicated following, Ghost fans have contributed their own spin—and plenty of additional lore—to the ever-expanding world of Ghost. From fan-bestowed names for the otherwise Nameless Ghouls to elaborate lore theories and fan fiction, the fun and fiction of Ghost extends well beyond the stage thanks to its fans.

First up, our first-to-queue winners! Bailey and Andrea claimed the honor at Entrance #7. Both seemed a little hesitant to report their actual arrival time, but a fan directly behind them chimed in to say they arrived at 3 a.m.—and Bailey and Andrea were already there. Huge respect to these two for roughing out the early hours and bitter cold.

But wait—there was a second queue at the Toyota Box Office, which absolutely warranted an additional award. First in line there were Bryn and Lorelei, both sporting Papa V–inspired ritual best. (Honorable mention goes to Plushia, who was keeping warm in Lorelei’s waistcoat.)

We grabbed some pre-ritual sustenance at the Neon Bison and met two more Gesties from our home state of Minnesota, as well as another noteworthy pair. Meet Audrey and Travis: cold weather may have canceled their intended ritual in Charlotte, North Carolina, but fans to the end, these two drove 12.5 hours to Peoria to catch Papa in action.

Next up is Tara, one of many bead-laden fans who clearly spent hours crafting bracelets to trade. Let’s hope Tara walked away with some equally cool mementos after all that effort.

Finally, we met another fashionable group of four, all sporting their ritual best—and including a couple more fellow Minnesotans. Clayton from Lake City, MN; Brandie from Wabasha, MN; River from Indiana; and Adden from Paris, Illinois.

Photos (left to right): Bailey and Andrea, Brynn and Lorelei, Audrey and Travis, (bottom) Tara. Not pictured: Clayton, and Brandi, River, and Adden.

The Main Attraction: Ghost!

The last time we saw Papa V was in St. Paul, Minnesota. Now, with a few shows under his belt, excitement was high to witness the first masked Papa take the stage. For those confused by that statement: while a certain man known as Toblerone Fudge has, for the first time, taken the stage in a half mask rather than a full one, Ghost lore dictates that Papa V is technically the first Papa to wear a mask at all. Of course, if untangling the wild web of Ghost lore and succession isn’t your thing, you can always kick back and enjoy the show in blissful ignorance.

And who is Toblerone Fudge? Some prefer not to know. Others squint at the many incarnations of Papas, trying to imagine him beneath the mask. Most of us still can’t quite make the connection, and it seems Toblerone is backstage with a clipboard somewhere instead of prancing across the stage making 13-year-old boy jokes.

The show opens with organ music, serving as a palate cleanser before an hour and a half of arena-worthy rock ballads. The organs fade, the lights dim, and clips from “Peacefield” appear on the side screens. The curtain remains raised as Papa V—appearing first only on the screens—sings the first verse and chorus. Then the final line hits: “Oh child, stay close to me.” The curtain drops—and we’re off. Wherever we go from here, we go together.

Papa V steps onto the stage clad in a sequined Tom Baker jacket, a silver half mask, and a silk cravat. The Nameless Ghouls and Ghoulettes take their places, now totaling eight in number. Fans closely follow their ongoing antics, often pledging allegiance to a favorite. Though officially nameless, fans have given them identities: Sodo/Dewdrop (lead guitar), Rain (bass), Phantom (rhythm and acoustic guitar), Mountain (drums), Aurora (backing vocals, cowbell), Storm (keys), Cirrus (keys), and Haze—at least, we think the fandom has finally settled on that name—for backing vocals.

Papa V has clearly grown into the role, noticeably more bombastic and talkative this ritual. While there’s no official change in lead vocals, each new Papa still seems to need to prove himself upon ascending the stage. Multiple costume changes punctuate the set: a range of sequined Tom Baker jackets, leather and rhinestone looks, a clerical piece featuring a skeletal creature draped over Papa’s back, and one especially ornate and lengthy clerical gown worn while Papa levitates during Call Me Little Sunshine.

The show borrows freely from the best of rock nostalgia and kitschy theatrical antics, blending them with a deep setlist and an intensely devoted fanbase to create one truly memorable night. Ghost is keeping up with their reputation as a must see act, and there are still dates and tickets open for upcoming shows. So if you’ve had it on your mind, just ask yourself- what would Andrea and Travis of North Carolina do?