It is always exhilarating to have musicians we love, such as those in the band Ghost, release new music and general content. So many media forms are brought to us via music, such as music videos, Remixes, Singles, EPs, live recordings, concerts, and filmed performances. Everyone will have their favorites, but I do love reliving the magic of a concert.
Producing a one-off concert or tour, or joining a charity performance, isn’t cheap due to the major costs of putting on a production, so many artists don’t invest in having them filmed or recorded for later release.
Although they are getting more popular with major artists, there are still some gigs fans sadly can’t re-live as the footage was never recorded. Luckily for fans of the Swedish metal band fronted by Tobias Forge, they can once more let their imaginations wander into the wondrous spectacle of the band's ritual.
Ghost's 2 Big To Rig: Review
Ghost is set to release their new movie, 2 Big to Rig, this month, which documents the Mexican dates of their Skeletour World Tour. I was lucky enough to screen the movie early and relive the magic of the Skeletour World Tour all over again. Here is what you need to know in a spoiler-free review.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to re-enter the wonderful world of Ghost with 2 Big To Rig, which releases globally on August 26. However, fans located in Berlin, London, Mexico, Sydney, and Los Angeles can access an early screening on August 24 at selected theatres. This will be an event fans will not want to miss as the band enters a long-awaited hiatus.
As the film begins, it really is instantly apparent that the intention here was for it to be viewed on IMAX screens. The audio is highly indicative of Dolby Atmos surround, instantly plunging viewers into a sea of cheering from eager fans awaiting at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, almost as if you yourself have been transported to the heart of Mexico in the midst of the crowd.
Within the first few seconds, the emotions set in as you realize that you will either be about to re-witness a truly magical night that you saw live, or you will be viewing a phenomenon for the first time that will stay with you.
The movie paces itself the same way the live rituals did: fast, fun, and spellbinding. The Ghouls and Ghoulettes instantly draw gasps as they appear, and the excitement really builds before we see frontman Papa V Perpetua begin the show with the opening song. It is so good to see them all again!
One of the main terrific choices was using Super 16mm film to really hone in on the nostalgic vibe. Not only nostalgic for the concerts of the glam rock era in the 70s and 80s, but also for the nostalgia from the 2025 - 2026 Skeletour that brought joy to so many. There is a very smooth flow to the film itself, which was shot on Kodak stock, and the grain really adds atmosphere that perfectly complements the staging and the band, especially in close-up shots.
Speaking of staging, one thing mentioned before the movie's release was that frontman Tobias Forge wanted to draw attention to and credit just how huge this show was to put on every night in the various cities they performed in.
Some cutbacks give fans insight into how hard the crew worked; if you are especially into behind-the-scenes stage management, it is fascinating to watch and learn about. There are some wild facts in there that really hit home about how hard everyone involved worked to make the ritual as good as it could be for us fans so that we could have the best night possible; there is also a strong fan focus throughout.
Everything that fans will want to see from Papa V Perpetua, they are sure to get. From the sassy one-liners, the signature dance moves, and insane vocal talents to the overall contagious energy he exudes, there is a lot for fans to soak up and enjoy. The fans will be really happy with the overall result and the screen time Papa V has.
However, there is only one thing I found to be a small shame in the finished movie, which may be more so, rather selfish of me. There is one song that was cut from the final product that I feel fans, as well as myself, would have really been looking forward to hearing again in the movie. I am sure there were creative reasons behind it, and it was done to achieve the best result.
Overall, it is bittersweet for fans to see 2 Big Rig as it delivers on everything fans have grown to love about this band over the years. But there is also a sense of sadness as we see this chapter come to a close in an exquisite concert documentary. There are times to laugh, cry, smile, but most of all - to remember why we love Ghost as much as we do and to carry their message forward.
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