"I know your soul is not tainted
Even though you've been told so"
-- Ghost, "Cirice"
From men dressed as nuns to same-sex couples cuddling in the crowd, it was clear that the LGBTQ+ community was represented throughout the arena. While they may face ostracization in their daily lives, especially in the current political environment, within the walls of the Climate Pledge Arena, they were free.
This brought back memories of a high school friend who was prohibited from listening to Boy George because he was a "bad influence." But the singer was not making my friend gay. He already was. What his father did not recognize was that his son's Culture Club fandom helped him feel grounded in his identity. By providing refuge, it was apparent that Ghost served that same function for many of their fans that night.
The setlist was well-paced, and the energy level rose as the night went on. This was helped by excellent staging, highlighted by digital projections that appeared static but then became animated, punctuating the end of a song as the image of a stained glass window shattered. Pyro effects were tastefully done, adding a "wow" factor that was magnified because it was not overused.
Perhaps the greatest effect of the night was the projection of real-time crowd shots onto the rear screen for the final song. This drove home the connection that the band has with its fans. It was just fans worshipping with their favorite faux"'Pope, and the good times were infectious. I could feel a bubble of emotion rise in me just watching the joy emanating from their sense of belonging.
While the night was not enough to convert me into a die-hard fan, I am glad I gave the band a chance. The reputation of their live show is well earned, and the positive vibe of the crowd is definitely good for the soul.
That is a church even this atheist can endorse.
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Carl Petersen is a former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board and a longtime advocate for public education and special needs families. Now based in Washington State, he writes about politics, culture, and their intersections at TheDifrntDrmr.
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