The Baltimore Hippodrome was built in 1914, seats 2,300 and is located a short walk from Edgar Allan Poe’s burial site. Walking into this historic theater is like walking back in time and leaves you with the sense that performers and audience members of decades past are still there. his was the perfect venue for Ghost to play on their “Black to the Future” tour and they did just that on Sunday, May 8th, 2016.
Although the show didn’t appear to be sold-out, empty seats were few. On this rainy, Mother’s Day evening, the Ghost faithful came out in droves to watch Papa Emeritus and his nameless ghouls perform. The evening began with Pinkish Black, and experimental rock duo consisting of Daron Beck on keyboards and vocals and Jon Teague on drums. Although they were the opening act, the venue nearly full for the performance. The band is touring in support of their 2015 release, “Bottom of the Morning”. Their music was mesmerizing and the sound captured the attention of the audience. Looking around the audience it seemed everyone was in a trance like state as they soaked in the performance.
Once Pinkish Black ended their set, the stage was quickly prepared for Ghost. Once the instruments were setup, the stagehands lit incense and hidden smoke machines quietly billowed large plumes of smoke over the stage while Gregorian chants filled the air. This was the scene for nearly 30 minutes and looking at the stage, which was bathed in deep blue lights, you could not help but become completely relaxed. The ambiance was awesome while waiting for Ghost to take the stage which made the half hour seem like five minutes.
At 9:15 p.m., Ghost took the stage and the crowd stood and applauded in its’ excitement. The band immediately played “Spirit” and followed that with “From the Pinnacle to the Pit”. After finishing “Stand by Him”, Papa Emeritus took center stage with a smoking thurible that he gently swung back and forth. With that, the band played “Con Clavi Con Dio”. After finishing, Papa Emeritus informed the crowd that Baltimore, Maryland was a special city to him and the band as they played their first United States show here years ago at the now defunct Club Sonar.
The band continued with nine more songs, for a total of 15, including several others from “Meliora” such as “Cirice”, “Spoksonat”, “He Is”, “Mummy Dust”, and “Absolution”. The remaining songs were from their prior two releases, “Opus Eponymous” and “Infestissumam”. To sum this concert up, it was wildly entertaining and the faceless ghouls played to perfection. I’ve seen many shows over the past year, but Ghost was one of the best. If you have a chance to see this show, get yourself a ticket to see this Grammy winning band. You won’t be disappointed.
Ghost continues with its U.S. spring tour through May 22 before heading across the Atlantic to fulfill their European dates.
Once Pinkish Black ended their set, the stage was quickly prepared for Ghost. Once the instruments were setup, the stagehands lit incense and hidden smoke machines quietly billowed large plumes of smoke over the stage while Gregorian chants filled the air. This was the scene for nearly 30 minutes and looking at the stage, which was bathed in deep blue lights, you could not help but become completely relaxed. The ambiance was awesome while waiting for Ghost to take the stage which made the half hour seem like five minutes.
At 9:15 p.m., Ghost took the stage and the crowd stood and applauded in its’ excitement. The band immediately played “Spirit” and followed that with “From the Pinnacle to the Pit”. After finishing “Stand by Him”, Papa Emeritus took center stage with a smoking thurible that he gently swung back and forth. With that, the band played “Con Clavi Con Dio”. After finishing, Papa Emeritus informed the crowd that Baltimore, Maryland was a special city to him and the band as they played their first United States show here years ago at the now defunct Club Sonar.
The band continued with nine more songs, for a total of 15, including several others from “Meliora” such as “Cirice”, “Spoksonat”, “He Is”, “Mummy Dust”, and “Absolution”. The remaining songs were from their prior two releases, “Opus Eponymous” and “Infestissumam”. To sum this concert up, it was wildly entertaining and the faceless ghouls played to perfection. I’ve seen many shows over the past year, but Ghost was one of the best. If you have a chance to see this show, get yourself a ticket to see this Grammy winning band. You won’t be disappointed.
Ghost continues with its U.S. spring tour through May 22 before heading across the Atlantic to fulfill their European dates.
