“I appreciate the classic sounds of Scorpions from the 1970s, which brings a nostalgic Scorpions 1977 vibe, contrasting with their 1984 era.”

On March 5, Tobias Forge made an appearance on Loudwire Nights to celebrate the release of Ghost’s exciting new track, “Satanized,” which is featured on their upcoming album, Skeletá. You can catch the complete interview in the audio player located towards the end of this article.

While Forge didn’t delve deeply into the specifics of “Satanized,” he did share his thoughts on Ghost’s unique “no phones” policy for their highly anticipated Skeletour World Tour.

“We want our fans to truly immerse themselves in the experience,” Forge expressed to Kat Mykals, the host of the weekend edition of Loudwire Nights.

“Reflecting on our previous performances in Los Angeles, particularly those where we recorded Rite Here Rite Now, we realized the importance of eliminating distractions. As a result, we decided to implement Yondr pouches during those shows. The moment we stepped off stage after the first night, we were astounded by how incredible the audience was.”

Forge acknowledged that performing in a vibrant city like Los Angeles can pose challenges, as the audience has numerous options for live music every night.

“Engaging the crowd can be quite challenging,” he admitted.

He clarified that he wasn’t generalizing about every individual present; however, he observed that connecting with the audience can sometimes be difficult. Interestingly, he and the rest of the Ghost crew noted a remarkable shift in audience engagement when they removed phones during the Rite Here Rite Now performances.

“After the initial night, we were truly amazed by how engaged the audience was,” he shared.

“The sheer absence of phones felt like a time machine experience. I’m not referring to a throwback to the 1980s, but rather about a decade ago when people were less inclined to record everything. Nowadays, in a crowd of 10,000, it seems like 8,000 are holding their phones. I wish it could be like this for every performance.”

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Given the profound impact of this experience, Ghost decided to reintroduce the Yondr pouches for their world tour promoting Skeletá.

“There’s something instinctive about enjoying a live performance collectively, being present together. I genuinely believe that attendees will find this experience to be not just enjoyable but significantly better than observing from a distance, surrounded by thousands of screens while only catching glimpses of the band.”

Insights from Tobias Forge During His Appearance on Loudwire Nights

• His thoughts on the introduction of Papa V Perpetua: “I haven’t had the chance to familiarize myself with him yet. He shares the same seamstress as Papa Emeritus IV. It’s challenging for me to articulate what to expect. We’re striving to balance tradition with an exciting array of new elements. That’s our goal.”
• His take on statistics regarding Rite Here Rite Now: “I have to adjust my perspective and view it as part of the ongoing journey that is Ghost.”
• Why it’s vital for him to keep his younger self in mind: “[At 13 years old] Tobias would be astonished by many of my accomplishments … I firmly believe in keeping my younger self close to remind me of my journey—where I am now, where I came from, and who I truly am.”

Don’t Miss the Full Interview Available in the Podcast Player Below

Tobias Forge joined Loudwire Nights on Wednesday, March 5; the show replays online here. You can catch it live every weeknight at 7PM ET or via the Loudwire app. Additionally, check your local radio station for availability and enjoy interviews on-demand.