Photos by Nicole Sepulveda
@__nik__pics
Review by Mike Smith

On February 20, 2026, Golden 1 Center was transformed into something far beyond a typical arena setup as Ghost descended upon Sacramento, delivering an electrifying theatrical spectacle that blended ritualistic imagery with powerful rock performance.

From the moment fans began filing in, the atmosphere was unmistakable. The crowd itself became part of the production, with hundreds dressed as undead priests, sinister nuns, and Nameless Ghouls. The arena floor resembled a living congregation. Strangers bonded instantly by complimenting costumes, trading chants, and singing snippets of Ghost lyrics before the band even took the stage. By the time the lights dimmed, the entire arena was buzzing with eerie anticipation.

Ghost structured the show like a dark liturgical performance, unfolding across three distinct visual acts, each more immersive than the last.

The first act opened with a towering giant cross made entirely of lights, looming over the stage like a glowing omen. Bathed in cold whites and deep purples, the band emerged to thunderous applause and immediately commanded the room. The mood was gothic, eerie, and electric. The crowd, already on its feet, never sat back down for the remainder of the night.

Early in the set, a standout highlight arrived during a guitar solo by Per Eriksson. As the arena lights went completely dark, a glowing cross of light appeared above him, isolating the moment in near silence before the solo cut through the darkness. The dramatic contrast between silence and sound made the moment feel ceremonial and powerful, setting the tone for the rest of the evening and showcasing Ghost’s ability to balance grandeur with precision.

As the show transitioned into the second act, the stage transformed into a stunning stained-glass church façade, complete with interactive characters that appeared to step out of a twisted cathedral mural. This portion leaned heavily into Ghost’s theatrical roots, blending satire, spectacle, and reverence. The band continuously engaged the audience by encouraging sing-alongs, calling for cheers, and feeding off the collective energy. Thousands of fans moved and sang together as one.

One of the night’s most memorable moments came when the frontman orchestrated the crowd to cheer by section, turning the arena into a powerful chorus of competing voices. The moment was playful yet commanding, reinforcing the strong connection between the band and its audience.

By the time Ghost returned for the encore, the crowd’s energy was still at its peak. Launching into “Mary on a Cross,” “Dance Macabre,” and “Square Hammer,” the band delivered a triumphant closing stretch that kept the arena roaring. Thousands of voices echoed through the venue as fans sang every word with arms raised, neighbors leaning into one another in shared excitement.

As the final notes rang out, the energy in Golden 1 Center remained high, with fans cheering long after the lights came up.

Ghost delivered a tightly executed and visually cohesive performance at Golden 1 Center. The production was well paced, the stage design supported each phase of the set effectively, and the band maintained strong engagement with the audience throughout the night. Crowd response remained consistently high, with fans fully invested from the opening moments through the encore.

Overall, the Sacramento show demonstrated Ghost’s ability to combine theatrical presentation with solid musicianship and audience interaction. It was a well-constructed live performance that left a strong impression without relying on excess, reinforcing the band’s reputation for delivering reliable and engaging arena shows.

Ghost has one last US date in Los Angeles before taking the tour to Italy– check out ghost-official.com to get all the latest news and information.