Imperatour

File:Ghost performing "Faith" during Imperatour at Yuengling Center, Tampa, Florida, 6 September 2022 (02).jpg, on 6 September 2022]]

On 30 December 2020, Ghost announced that "several big things" were being developed for 2021, indicating new live performances.{{cite web |title=GHOST Is 'Working On Several Big Things' For 2021 |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ghost-is-working-on-several-big-things-for-2021/ |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=28 January 2022 |date=1 January 2021}} In September 2021, a United States tour co-headlined with Volbeat and featuring special guests Twin Temple was announced, and would become the first leg of Imperatour, kicking off in January 2022.{{cite web |last1=Childers |first1=Chad |title=Ghost + Volbeat Announce 2022 U.S. Co-Headline Tour Dates |url=https://loudwire.com/ghost-volbeat-2022-us-co-headline-tour-dates/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=21 January 2022 |language=en |date=20 September 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Stickler |first1=Jon |title=Ghost Set March Release For Fifth Album 'Impera', Share New Track Call Me Little Sunshine |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/234344/9 |website=Stereoboard |quote=Ghost will kick off the North American co-headline Imperatour with Volbeat |access-date=31 January 2022 |language=en |date=20 January 2022}} During the first show, at Reno, Nevada's Reno Events Center on 25 January, Ghost performed "Kaisarion", the second song from their 2022 album Impera, for the first time.{{cite web |title=Ghost Debuts New Song 'Kaisarion' At First Show Of U.S. Tour With Volbeat (Video) |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ghost-debuts-new-song-kaisarion-at-first-show-of-u-s-tour-with-volbeat-video/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=26 January 2022 |date=26 January 2022}} Each of the subsequent Imperatour concerts had featured "Kaisarion" as the first song on Ghost's setlist. The show also marked the introduction of new steampunk-inspired costumes worn by the Nameless Ghouls.{{cite web |last1=Ruskell |first1=Nick |title=Ghost: "You have to destroy to rebuild, but that doesn't mean you have to level everything into gravel" |url=https://www.kerrang.com/ghost-you-have-to-destroy-to-rebuild-but-that-doesnt-mean-you-have-to-level-everything-into-gravel |website=Kerrang! |access-date=26 January 2022 |language=en |date=26 January 2022}} Volbeat's planned appearance on the third show of the US tour was cancelled when their drummer Jon Larsen tested positive for COVID-19.{{cite web |last1=Deeds |first1=Michael |title=Volbeat cancels, Ghost will perform, at Idaho Center Jan. 28 |url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/words-deeds/article257827708.html |website=Idaho Statesman |access-date=29 January 2022 |date=28 January 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wirx.com/2022/01/28/volbeat-drops-off-show-with-ghost-after-drummer-tests-positive-for-covid-19/|title=Volbeat Drops Off Show With Ghost After Drummer Tests Positive For Covid-19|website=WIRX.com|date=28 January 2022|accessdate=29 January 2022}} The first leg of the tour concluded in March 2022 at Anaheim, California's Honda Center.

Ghost headlined the second leg of the tour, which took place in Europe from 9 April to 18 June 2022, supported by Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats and Twin Temple.{{cite web |last1=Skinner |first1=Tom |title=Ghost announce UK and European tour for 2022 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ghost-announce-2022-uk-european-tour-shows-tickets-dates-3102601 |website=NME |access-date=21 January 2022 |date=23 November 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Laura |title=Ghost To Bring Imperatour To UK And Europe In Spring 2022 |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/233844/9 |website=Stereoboard |access-date=21 January 2022 |language=en |date=23 November 2021}} During Ghost's performance on 9 April, at Manchester's AO Arena, the songs "Spillways" and "Call Me Little Sunshine" made their live debuts. The show on 18 June took place in Clisson, France, as part of the Hellfest music festival. The Hellfest show saw the band's live debut of their song "Griftwood".{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/ghost-hellfest-set-cut-short-tobias-forge-lost-voice/|title=Ghost Cut Hellfest Set One Song Short, Tobias Forge's Voice 'Completely F-cked'|last=DiVita|first=Joe|date=20 June 2022|website=Loudwire|access-date=8 September 2022}} The show's setlist was cut short due to Forge losing his voice, and concluded with the song "Dance Macabre" rather than the initially planned show closer, "Square Hammer"; after performing "Dance Macabre", Forge thanked the audience and stated, "My voice is completely fucked. I cannot take one other song for you."{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ghost-cut-hellfest-headline-set-short-after-tobias-forge-loses-his-voice-3251510|title=Ghost cut Hellfest headline set short after Tobias Forge loses his voice|last=Moore|first=Sam|date=20 June 2022|website=NME|access-date=21 June 2022}}

The third leg of the tour, spanning the US and Canada, featured Mastodon and Spiritbox as the opening acts;{{cite web |last1=Slingerland |first1=Calum |title=Ghost Announce North American Tour with Mastodon and Spiritbox |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/ghost_announce_north_american_tour_with_mastodon_and_spiritbox |website=Exclaim! |access-date=17 May 2022 |language=en-ca |date=17 May 2022}} this leg began on 26 August and concluded on 23 September. During Ghost's performance on 26 August, at San Diego's Pechanga Arena, the song "Watcher in the Sky" made its live debut.{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/watch-ghost-give-live-debut-to-watcher-in-the-sky-on-first-night-of-us-tour|title=Watch Ghost give live debut to Watcher In The Sky on first night of US tour|last1=Lewry|first1=Fraser|date=27 August 2022|language=en|website=Metal Hammer|publisher=Louder Sound|access-date=27 August 2022}} At the 2 September show at Huntsville, Alabama's Von Braun Center, during a performance of the song "Year Zero", one of the Nameless Ghouls (later identified as Justin "Jutty" Taylor) fell from atop a platform; after the concert, Taylor jokingly tweeted, "I meant to do that."{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/watch-a-hapless-nameless-ghoul-take-a-a-tumble-off-the-stage-at-recent-ghost-show|title=Watch a hapless Nameless Ghoul take a tumble off the stage at recent Ghost show|last=Alderslade|first=Merlin|date=6 September 2022|website=Metal Hammer|publisher=Louder Sound|access-date=8 September 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/ghost-nameless-ghoul-swiss-fall-stage-video/|title=One of Ghost's Nameless Ghouls Falls Down Onstage, Jokes They 'Meant to Do That'|last=Trapp|first=Philip|date=6 September 2022|website=Loudwire|access-date=8 September 2022}}

During an interview on 12 September 2022, Forge confirmed that there would be more touring in 2023, with a European leg in the summer hinted in a video.{{cite web |title=Ghost's Tobias Forge: 'A Lot Of Your Favorite Bands Are Really Suffering' Right Now |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/ghosts-tobias-forge-a-lot-of-your-favorite-bands-are-really-suffering-right-now |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=13 September 2022 |language=en |date=12 September 2022}}{{cite web |title=Ghost - Chapter 13: The Beach Life | date=14 October 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwqCinqD64w |via=YouTube |language=en}} Ghost later announced that they would perform at both the Sweden Rock Festival on 10 June 2023 in Sölvesborg, Sweden and the Tuska Open Air in Helsinki, Finland.{{cite web |title=Iron Maiden, Ghost, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe Confirmed For Sweden Rock Festival 2023; Video Trailer |url=https://bravewords.com/news/iron-maiden-ghost-def-leppard-motley-crue-confirmed-for-sweden-rock-festival-2023-video-trailer |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Tuska 2023 announces more artists: Ghost, Motionless In White, Clutch and others |url=https://chaoszine.net/tuska-2023-announces-more-artists-ghost-motionless-in-white-clutch-and-others/ |website=Chaoszine |access-date=29 October 2022 |date=25 October 2022}} The band later announced a third US leg dubbed the "Re-Imperatour" on 13 February 2023, which featured Amon Amarth as special guests.{{cite web |last1=Brannigan |first1=Paul |title=Ghost announce massive Re-Imperatour arena run across America |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/ghost-announce-massive-re-imperatour-arena-run-across-america |website=Louder Sound |access-date=13 February 2023 |language=en |date=13 February 2023}} A second show at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles was announced following a video, giving fans speculation that the Papa Emeritus IV character would be "killed off" at the end of the tour.{{cite web |title=It looks like Ghost are about to kill off Papa Emeritus IV in new Chapter 16 video Tax Season |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/it-looks-like-ghost-are-about-to-kill-off-papa-emeritus-iv-in-new-chapter-16-video-tax-season |website=Louder Sound |access-date=17 February 2023 |language=en |date=17 February 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Wilkes |first1=Emma |title=New Ghost video suggests Papa Emeritus IV will soon be killed off |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/new-ghost-video-suggests-papa-emeritus-iv-will-soon-be-killed-off-3401544 |website=NME |access-date=20 February 2023 |date=20 February 2023}} A South American leg was later announced, acknowledging it as their first time headlining in Brazil and Argentina.{{cite web |title=Ghost announces South American tour |url=https://chaoszine.net/ghost-announces-south-american-tour/ |website=Chaoszine |access-date=4 April 2023 |date=4 April 2023}} The band then performed an Australian leg shortly after, which took place in October, concluding the tour in Brisbane,{{cite web |title=Ghost Announce First Australian Headline Tour |url=https://www.therockpit.net/2023/ghost-announce-first-australian-headline-tour/ |website=The Rockpit |access-date=24 April 2023 |date=24 April 2023}} which was Papa Emeritus IV's final performance.{{cite web |title=Did Papa Emeritus IV play his final Ghost show? |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/did-papa-emeritus-iv-play-his-final-ghost-show |website=Revolver |access-date=5 November 2023 |language=en |date=16 October 2023}}

Preceding Ghost's setlist at most stops on the tour are taped recordings of the Jan Johansson composition "Klara stjärnor" and Gregorio Allegri's setting Miserere mei, Deus.{{cite web|url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/ghost-ave-aeternus-papa-emeritus/|title=Ghost: Ave Aeternus Papa Emeritus|last=Brown|first=Tasha|date=28 June 2022|website=Distorted Sound|access-date=8 September 2022}} The exact setlist for Imperatour has varied, but has consistently utilized "Kaisarion" as an opening number and included songs from each of the band's albums released thus far—Opus Eponymous, Infestissumam (only one song from Infestissumam has appeared in any of the setlists, that being "Year Zero"),{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/ghost-at-hellfest-more-menacing-and-seductive-than-ever-despite-the-early-finish|title=Ghost at Hellfest: more menacing and seductive than ever, despite the early finish|last=Badin|first=Olivier|date=21 June 2022|website=Metal Hammer|publisher=Louder Sound|access-date=8 September 2022}} Meliora, Prequelle, and Impera.

The character of Papa Nihil, who was "unceremoniously 'killed off{{' "}} at the final show of the band's previous tour, A Pale Tour Named Death, in 2020, did not appear during any of the concerts in the first leg of Imperatour.{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/satanic-sermons-and-sax-solos-inside-ghosts-first-uk-show-in-two-and-a-half-years|title=Satanic sermons and sax solos: inside Ghost's first post-Impera headline show|last=Alderslade|first=Merlin|date=11 April 2022|website=Metal Hammer|publisher=Louder Sound|access-date=8 September 2022}} However, at the 9 April show in Manchester, the character was wheeled out onto the stage and brought "back to life", performing a saxophone solo during the song "Miasma".

File:GhostSanDiego3.jpg, on 26 August 2022]]

Reviewing the 14 February 2022 show at Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center, Scott Mervis of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised the band's sound as "somewhere in the zone between Metallica and Blue Öyster Cult" and their flexibility in regards to the genres of their songs, writing that they are "never shy to flash influences, to go from the '60s-scented psych-rock of 'Mary on a Cross' to the Slayer stomp of 'Cirice' to the dreamy pop-metal-prog of 'Hunter's Moon{{' "}}. However, he called the concert "more like a Ghost greatest-hits show" than one in support of the Impera album, concluding: "As great as it all was, Ghost fans of Pittsburgh surely have one plea for the Papa: please return with the whole Impera package."{{cite web |last1=Mervis |first1=Scott |title=Review: Ghost leads an evening of enchanting, devilish metal at the Petersen |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2022/02/15/Ghost-Volbeat-Twin-Temple-Petersen-review/stories/202202150098 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=6 March 2022 |language=en |date=15 February 2022}}

The Guardian{{'}}s Chris Lord, reviewing the 9 April 2022 show at Manchester's AO Arena, gave the concert a score of five out of five stars.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/apr/11/ghost-review-rocknroll-pyro-pantomime-is-hellishly-good-fun|title=Ghost review – rock 'n' roll pyro pantomime is hellishly good fun|last=Lord|first=Chris|date=11 April 2022|website=The Guardian|access-date=8 September 2022}} He wrote that, by the second song on the setlist, "Rats", the band "already has a packed arena in raptures," and that {{" '}}Square Hammer' inspires the most frenzied singalong of the night." Of the show's technical aspects and the band members themselves, Lord wrote: "There are confetti cannons, costume changes, flamethrowers and other forms of pyro, but the band is self-aware, preventing proceedings from ever getting too cartoonish. As one of the three guitarists relishes a solo spot on 'From the Pinnacle to the Pit' a little much for his liking, Forge playfully reprimands them with a wagging finger; this is pantomime as much as rock 'n' roll."

Merlin Alderslade of Metal Hammer, also reviewing the Manchester show, wrote that the setlist was "absolutely stacked with songs designed to shake hips", and that, "They may attract their share of haters, but facts are facts: few modern bands in heavy metal know how to put on a massive, arena-worthy show like Ghost."

{{Main|Rite Here Rite Now{{!}}Rite Here Rite Now}}

Footage from the two shows performed at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on 11 and 12 September 2023 was featured in a concert film titled Rite Here Rite Now, directed by Forge and Alex Ross Perry. The film also includes a narrative story based on a web series produced by Ghost that incorporates fictional characters and lore surrounding the band.{{cite web| url=https://www.ritehereritenow.com/synopsis/|title=Rite Here Rite Now {{!}} Synopsis|website=RiteHereRiteNow.com|access-date=May 1, 2024}} The film was released theatrically by Trafalgar Releasing on 20 June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/see-first-trailer-for-ghosts-debut-feature-film-rite-here-rite-now|title=See First Trailer For Ghost's Debut Feature Film 'Rite Here Rite Now'|date=May 9, 2024|website=Blabbermouth.net|language=en|access-date=May 11, 2024}}

{{hidden

| headercss = background: #ccccff; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| contentcss = text-align: left; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| header = Reno Events Center{{cite web |title=Ghost's First Show in 2 Years: See Photos, Setlist From 2022 Tour Kickoff |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/ghosts-first-show-2-years-see-photos-setlist-2022-tour-kickoff |website=Revolver |access-date=26 January 2022 |language=en |date=26 January 2022}}

| content =

• "Imperium" (taped)

1. "Kaisarion"
2. "Rats"
3. "From the Pinnacle to the Pit"
4. "Mary on a Cross"
5. "Devil Church"
6. "Cirice"
7. "Hunter's Moon"
8. "Faith"
9. "Helvetesfönster" (abridged)
10. "Year Zero"
11. "Ritual"
12. "Mummy Dust"
13. "Kiss the Go-Goat"

Encore

14. "Enter Sandman" (Metallica cover)
15. "Dance Macabre"
16. "Square Hammer"

• "Sorrow in the Wind" (Emmylou Harris song) (taped)

}}

{{hidden

| headercss = background: #ccccff; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| contentcss = text-align: left; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| header = AO Arena

| content =

• "Klara stjärnor" (Jan Johansson composition) (taped)
• Miserere mei, Deus (Gregorio Allegri) (taped){{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/heat-em-and-smile-welcome-to-the-world-of-ghosts-tobias-forge|title=Heat 'em and smile: welcome to the world of Ghost's Tobias Forge|last=Glass|first=Polly|date=15 July 2022|website=Classic Rock|publisher=Louder Sound|access-date=8 September 2022}}
• "Imperium" (taped)

1. "Kaisarion"
2. "Rats"
3. "From the Pinnacle to the Pit"
4. "Spillways"
5. "Devil Church"
6. "Call Me Little Sunshine"
7. "Miasma"
8. "Cirice"
9. "Hunter's Moon"
10. "Faith"
11. "Helvetesfönster"
12. "Year Zero"
13. "He Is"
14. "Ritual"
15. "Mummy Dust"
16. "Kiss the Go-Goat"

Encore

14. "Enter Sandman" (Metallica cover)
15. "Dance Macabre"
16. "Square Hammer"

• "Sorrow in the Wind" (Emmylou Harris song) (taped)

}}

{{hidden

| headercss = background: #ccccff; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| contentcss = text-align: left; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| header = Pechanga Arena{{cite news|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-ghosts-live-debut-watcher-sky-us-tour-kickoff|title=See Ghost's Live Debut of "Watcher in the Sky" at U.S. Tour Kickoff|date=27 August 2022|website=Revolver|access-date=6 September 2022}}

| content =

• "Klara stjärnor" (Jan Johansson composition) (taped)
• Miserere mei, Deus (Gregorio Allegri) (taped)
• "Imperium" (taped)

1. "Kaisarion"
2. "Rats"
3. "Faith"
4. "Spillways"
5. "Devil Church"
6. "Cirice"
7. "Hunter's Moon"
8. "Ritual"
9. "Call Me Little Sunshine"
10. "Con Clavi Con Dio"
11. "Prime Mover"
12. "Watcher in the Sky"
13. "Year Zero"
14. "He Is"
15. "Miasma"
16. "Mary on a Cross"
17. "Mummy Dust"

Encore

18. "Dance Macabre"
19. "Square Hammer"

• "Sorrow in the Wind" (Emmylou Harris song) (taped)

}}

{{hidden

| headercss = background: #ccccff; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| contentcss = text-align: left; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| header = Zénith de la Métropole Rouen Normandie{{cite web |title=See Ghost play "Jesus He Knows Me" live for first time at 2023 tour kickoff |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-ghost-play-jesus-he-knows-me-live-first-time-2023-tour-kickoff |website=Revolver |access-date=22 May 2023 |language=en |date=22 May 2023}}

| content =

• "Klara stjärnor" (Jan Johansson composition) (taped)
• Miserere mei, Deus (Gregorio Allegri) (taped)
• "Imperium" (taped)

1. "Kaisarion"
2. "Rats"
3. "Faith"
4. "Spillways"
5. "Cirice"
6. "Hunter's Moon"
7. "Jesus He Knows Me" (Genesis cover)
8. "Ritual"
9. "Call Me Little Sunshine"
10. "Con Clavi Con Dio"
11. "Watcher in the Sky"
12. "Year Zero"
13. "He Is"
14. "Miasma"
15. "Mary on a Cross"
16. "Mummy Dust"
17. "Respite on the Spitalfields"

Encore

18. "Kiss the Go-Goat"
19. "Dance Macabre"
20. "Square Hammer"

• "Sorrow in the Wind" (Emmylou Harris song) (taped)

}}

{{hidden

| headercss = background: #ccccff; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| contentcss = text-align: left; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;

| header = Concord Pavilion{{cite web |title=Watch: Ghost Kicks Off Summer 2023 U.S. Tour In Concord |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/watch-ghost-kicks-off-summer-2023-u-s-tour-in-concord |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=13 August 2023 |language=en |date=3 August 2023}}

| content =

• "Klara stjärnor" (Jan Johansson composition) (taped)
• Miserere mei, Deus (Gregorio Allegri) (taped)
• "Imperium" (taped)

1. "Kaisarion"
2. "Rats"
3. "From the Pinnacle to the Pit"
4. "Spillways"
5. "Cirice"
6. "Absolution"
7. "Ritual"
8. "Call Me Little Sunshine"
9. "Con Clavi Con Dio"
10. "Watcher in the Sky"
11. "Year Zero"
12. "He Is"
13. "Miasma"
14. "Mary on a Cross"
15. "Mummy Dust"
16. "Respite on the Spitalfields"

Encore

17. "Kiss the Go-Goat"
18. "Dance Macabre"
19. "Square Hammer"

• "Sorrow in the Wind" (Emmylou Harris song) (taped)

}}

• The band performed "Twenties" in Inglewood at the September 11, 2023 performance.{{cite web |title=Ghost's penultimate show of their US tour featured a live debut for one song, and a special, very different version of another |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/ghost-penultimate-show-of-2023 |website=Louder Sound |access-date=12 September 2023 |date=12 September 2023}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Ghost}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Imperatour}}

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