Tobias Forge Defends Ghost’s 2025 Tour Phone ‘Ban’: ‘It’s Irritating. It Disturbs Me’

Ghost mastermind Tobias Forge has elaborated on the band’s decision to implement a “phone-free experience” for their 2025 world tour, citing a desire to foster a stronger connection between the band and audience. The policy, which requires fans to secure their phones in Yondr pouches during the show, was influenced by positive experiences during the filming of Ghost‘s feature film, “Rite Here Rite Now,” but has also drawn attention due to reported entry delays at a recent show.

Speaking with Riff X‘s “Metal XS,” Forge explained his perspective on pervasive phone use at concerts. “Simply put, over the last — I don’t know — five years, whatever, every year has become more and more and ever-growing distance I felt between the crowd and the band, or the band and myself,” he stated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I felt that I have a problem with watching someone [in the audience holding up a phone in front of their face]. It’s irritating. And maybe I’m old school, maybe I’m old fashioned. I just feel that we’re having an intimate moment, and it disturbs me that you’re filming while we’re doing this together.”

The success of the device-free shows filmed in Los Angeles in September 2023 was a key factor. “When we did the shows in L.A., I, together with everyone on stage, was amazed how great it felt and how we wish that it was like this every night, because it made us better. It felt like they were having a better time,” Forge recalled. “I cannot neglect that I just had an experience saying that this is so much better.”

Forge acknowledged potential fan apprehension, comparing it to quitting a long-term habit like smoking, but emphasized the positive feedback received. “People were afraid, people were worried about the concept of not being able to film or being able to access the world. As soon as they’d done it, they felt so much better, and that is what I want everyone to feel,” he explained. “For two hours, you feel relieved of the chains that is the ether, whatever it is… that is the collective joy that I want people to associate Ghost with. That’s the show now.”

However, the implementation faced apparent hurdles. Reports from Ghost‘s show in Birmingham on April 20th indicated significant entry delays, with local sources like BirminghamLive describing long queues stretching outside the arena. Fans speculated online that the Yondr pouch procedure contributed to the wait times.

Forge clarified that the phone policy is not driven by copyright concerns or a desire to prevent leaks. “The reason for us not wanting people to film the show is not for copyright reasons… We will make sure that people will see sh*t from the show… there will be like documentation and things to look at,” he assured.

He also hinted that learnings from editing the concert film will influence future performances, refining the live experience. Ultimately, the goal remains enhancing the shared, present moment between Ghost and their audience, despite any initial logistical adjustments.