I first came face to face (or rather, mask) with Ghost back in 2013 when they headlined the Jägermeister Tour. At the time, I had never heard of Ghost and had no idea what to expect. Frankly, I anticipated something dark and strange. Imagine my delight when the band hit the stage: beautiful lighting, painted faces, Nameless Ghouls in their silver masks—it was visually stunning. There was plenty of smoke, but not the thin, hazy kind that makes photography a nightmare. This was the good kind: thick, rolling smoke that hugged the stage floor and made every shot look twice as dramatic. And the sound? Far from the crushing heaviness I had imagined. Most of the songs were surprisingly catchy and infectious. I walked home humming their tunes, excited to edit the photos—a sure sign of a memorable show.

Since then, Ghost’s popularity has grown enormously, and I had the opportunity to photograph them again on their headline arena tour. Just like in 2013, there was meticulous attention to detail in lighting, costumes, and stagecraft, but everything scaled up to match their elevated status.

I was commissioned for two dates: Manchester for Classic Rock and Birmingham for Metal Hammer. Shooting two shows back-to-back, especially with a band as precise and rehearsed as Ghost, is a rare luxury. If something is missed on the first night, you get a second chance; you can also explore different angles or compositions. It’s a privilege most music photographers rarely experience unless touring with the band, and I never take it for granted.