GHOST
JANUARY 30th, 2026
BELL CENTRE, MONTREAL, QC
Ghost returned to Montreal on January 30, 2026, bringing The Skeletour World Tour to a packed Centre Bell in support of their sixth studio album, Skeletá. Following their last Montreal-area appearance at Place Bell in September 2023, anticipation for this show was massive. While the night ultimately delivered plenty of fan-favorite moments, it didn’t quite reach the theatrical heights longtime Ghost fans have come to expect.
A Phone-Free Ghost Show at Centre Bell
One of the defining elements of The Skeletour has been Ghost’s decision to implement Yondr pouches, locking away mobile phones to create a distraction-free concert experience. The result was immediately noticeable. Fans talked, connected, and stayed present — a rare sight at modern arena shows. For a band that thrives on atmosphere, ritual, and immersion, this was a smart and welcome move that enhanced the overall experience.
Act I: Technical Issues and a Muted Opening
Despite a strong setlist on paper, the opening act struggled to gain traction. Early in the show, the lighting felt off, with one song performed almost entirely in darkness — whether by design or technical malfunction remains unclear. Papa V even commented that the setup felt “cold,” possibly hinting at behind-the-scenes issues.
While From the Pinnacle to the Pit sparked the first major crowd reaction, Act I lacked momentum, and the absence of Call Me Little Sunshine was disappointing given its inclusion at other Skeletour stops.
Act II: Momentum Returns With Cirice and Satanized
The show began to recover with Cirice, a reliable emotional anchor in Ghost’s live catalog. The debut of Satanized as a live experience was one of the night’s strongest moments — aggressive, theatrical, and perfectly suited to the arena setting.
The biggest turning point came during Year Zero, when Papa emerged in full papal attire, finally injecting the show with the visual drama fans expect. From that moment on, the Skeletour in Montreal felt fully realized.
Final Act and Encore: Ghost at Their Best
The final stretch of the show delivered exactly what fans wanted. Rats, Dance Macabre, and Square Hammer generated the loudest reactions of the night, reaffirming their status as Ghost live staples. Mummy Dust provided a rare moment of Papa’s trademark humor — one of the few times he addressed the crowd directly, as he was noticeably less chatty than usual throughout the evening.
While musically tight, the visuals remained somewhat restrained compared to previous Ghost tours, with fewer theatrics and less stage movement than longtime fans may have hoped for.
Final Verdict: A Solid Ghost Show With Missed Potential
Ghost’s Montreal stop on The Skeletour 2026 was a strong but uneven performance. Newer fans likely left thrilled by the polished setlist, immersive phone-free environment, and explosive finale. For veteran followers, however, the show may have felt overly familiar, with fewer surprises and less theatrical ambition than expected.
Ghost remains one of the most reliable live bands in modern rock, but at Centre Bell, the ritual fell just short of transcendence.
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