Thousands of Ghost fans lined Birmingham yesterday as the band’s strict phone rule caused long queues.
Last night (April 20), the Swedish group bought their largest ever UK ‘Skeletour’ concert to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena. Due to their implementation of a “phone-free” rule for their 2025 tour – designed to force fans to be present and engage with their live show – footage of the gig is nowhere to be found on social media.
However, many took to X/Twitter before the gig to report winding queues as they tried to get into the venue. As was later reported by BirminghamLive, the lines went from the Utilita Arena all the way towards the Library of Birmingham and up along the canal in the opposite direction as fans waited to have their bags searched.
While some said the no phones rule made the gig “even more special”, others were frustrated by the “absolute shit show” organisation, adding: “It’s almost like Utilita Birmingham forgot there’s 16 thousand people to seat.”
The line for last nights show at @UtilitaArenaBHM 😳
Video by tobiasforgefansbrazil #SKELETOUR pic.twitter.com/M5sbE8Ylgq
— SKELETOUR 2025 (@GhostWorldTour) April 21, 2025
Holy shit. The queue to get in to @thebandGHOST at @UtilitaArenaBHM reaches up to the Library of Birmingham and as far as the eye can see every direction. I have never seen anything like this before in my whole life of coming to gigs in town 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Sr1RHXtwFY
— Kirsty Bosley (@Bozzers) April 20, 2025
Recently, while appearing as the latest guest on NME‘s In Conversation series, frontman Tobias Forge discussed how Birmingham’s Black Sabbath “have been a tremendous influence” on him.
“Ozzy as a frontman and Ozzy as a solo artist is something I put a divide between, because I grew up in the ‘80s where he was much more of a rockstar than Black Sabbath were. I gravitated towards that, but I also grew up listening to the old Black Sabbath records.
“Nowadays, I love most Black Sabbath releases. Even the ‘80s and ‘90s albums, I love them for what they are, and the Dio era also has a very special place in my heart, too. ‘Vol. 4’, ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ and ‘Sabotage’ have been absolute milestones for me for as long as I’ve been writing music. They’ve been very influential, even though it might not be super evident. I’ve always listened to them, and I’ve always been inspired by them.”
The frontman of the Swedish occult metal band is slated to play at Ozzy Osbourne and co’s final concert at Villa Park in the latter’s hometown of Birmingham on Saturday July 5 as Papa Perpetua. The upcoming show will see Black Sabbath’s most iconic line-up – comprising Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward – play live together for the first time in two decades.
The stacked line-up also includes the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Lamb Of God, Mastodon, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, recent Grammy-winners Gojira, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Tool, Jason Momoa and Rival Sons.
Meanwhile, Ghost are set to continue on their run of European tour dates in the coming weeks, and you can check out a full list of dates here and visit here to purchase any remaining tickets.
