Ghost’s Tobias Forge just said what all music fans assumed about concerts

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If someone can recall attending concerts prior to the widespread use of mobile phones, and that era isn’t too far in the past, then they appreciate that the concert experience was distinct from what it is today. In the good old days, audience members would wave lighters during slow songs. Nowadays, performers see a sea of cell phone flashlights instead.

People tend to get absorbed in their phones during concerts, watching footage they’ve just taken instead of enjoying the live performance. This means they miss out on a lot, and artists can tell that not everyone is fully engaged. After all, performing for an audience that isn’t truly present seems pointless, doesn’t it?

During Ghost’s current tour, Tobias Forge, often referred to as Mr. Everything, found himself pondering this question: “What should I do about cell phone usage during our shows?” He ultimately implemented a rule prohibiting their use, while ensuring fans could still carry their phones. The challenge was finding a way to secure these devices in pouches, effectively rendering them unusable during the concert.

Tobias Forge of Ghost explains the importance of just putting your phone away

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, I’m no stranger to the concept of anti-recording technology at events. I mean, some places and artists have been doing this occasionally. The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville has been on top of it for quite a while now, and honestly, it makes perfect sense. It’s not just about preventing fans from recording the show, but also about keeping us engaged, fully focused on the spectacular performance we shelled out our hard-earned cash to witness.

Instead of altering policies at each venue during their tour, Ghost appears to be making changes across all venues towards the end of their lengthy tour, and Forge has observed a distinct shift.

In a heartfelt chat with fans in Birmingham, England, on the eve before the Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne farewell extravaganza at Villa Park, I (Forge) shared an intimate tale of my near-decision to retire from live performances due to cell phone intrusions. However, since Ghost enforced a ban on such devices, I’ve witnessed a remarkable enhancement in the quality and atmosphere of our concerts.

He expressed that the idea required thorough examination: “Who else has attempted this? Not many, it seems. It was particularly striking when we encountered nations where people were noticeably more eager. The crowd numbered 18,000, and there were approximately 10,000 phones. I found myself questioning, ‘What’s going on here?… I reached a stage where I was thinking, ‘I’m not sure I want to go through with this… If it’s going to be like this, I’d prefer not to.'” The value of the task dwindled significantly for him.

Ever since the phone ban, the vibe at these concerts has been phenomenal! It’s as if we’re all fully immersed in the live experience together, without any distractions. I can’t believe it took bands so long to realize that having fans put their phones away would make a world of difference. Now, we’re truly living in the moment and savoring the music like never before!

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2025-07-19 20:00