North America is obviously the preferred touring territory for the band Ghost – so many venues and beautiful theaters have been played – it is undoubtedly the main market for their business. I’m not going to list all the venues in the U.S. that are on the Ghost Gig Globe, there are just so many that I had to reduce most of them to the neon signs of their buildings. But isn’t that the United States for most of us? Lots of glitter and neon lights announcing the biggest success you can have in the entertainment business. Some of them are famous venues that are on every musician’s bucket list.

West Coast

Most rock bands probably want to play the Whisky a go go or the Roxy at some point – small venues with great history for rock music. The Forum in Los Angeles was one of the reasons to start the whole 3G project. Having won a Grammy (and maybe two soon), the city must mean a lot to Ghost and Tobias Forge. I had Papa III pose with his Grammy for the press in 2017 and of course put a sound button under his feet. He plays the winning song Cirice. The band’s record label is located nearby. Various festivals are referenced by things like Papa Emeritus‘ famous Titti cup, the Cochella palm tree and another festival toilet.

It might not look like a cool button but there is one building in San Francisco, that deserved sound. The city by the bay has been the choice for recording the Ceromony & Devotion live album, the Warfield building holding that special ritual. And just because P.E. III keeps calling San Fran “Frisco ”, it’s so much fun. Clappidy Clap, Frisco! makes me always chuckle and made it therefore to a sound feature on 3G.

East Coast

In Baltimore, Ghost played their first U.S. gig in 2011 at Maryland Deathfest, where they performed alongside Tobias‘ other band Repugnant. His Mary Goore guitar from that gig with the Ghost sticker on it should be on the globe, at least in my opinion. Close by, in New York, Ghost has held so many rituals – though not yet at Madison Square Garden – that I had trouble deciding on a particular venue. I remembered a T-shirt design that had the Statue of Liberty „ghosted“ on it. I liked the idea, but at the same time I thought of the first live interview for which Tobias Forge was announced unmasked and no longer as a ghoul. He still came dressed up, of course, and made the fan base go nuts over a Prince-like hat and saying something about Brussels sprouts. Along with the best symbol for NYC I could think of, I created the „Statue of the Director“ – with the I Heart Radio microphone as a torch and a Brussels sprout in his arm. Want to guess what this statue says when it’s pressed?…? Yes, three times!

Midwest

One of my personal favorite miniatures in the US is the Ghost burger. In Chicago, there was a restaurant for a while that served these burgers – including goat cheese and a consecrated wafer. I liked the idea. Another distinctive feature is the pitchfork in the Midwest. In Midland, Ghost came under fire from very religious groups who seriously feared for the salvation of their congregation and asked that the concert be cancelled. Well, the Devil came to town anyway – and played some fine tunes…

Not far away, a ghostly hot air balloon floats over the New Mexican desert. Alberquerque was played several times by Ghost, but no more building fit on the continent. Since there wasn’t much going on in the American air anyway, I let a balloon go up – because in a famous ballooning city with thousands of new balloon shapes every year, there should be one with a reference to Ghost.

Oh Canada

Another special pin is a tour bus on Canadian ground near Calgary. On their first tour in Canada, the band’s tour bus slid off the icy road – no one was hurt, but they were probably shocked. I wasn’t sure about reminding 3G’s receiver of that event, but then again, he’ll probably never forget how lucky they were – and I’m sure not just then…. Otherwise, the tour bus could have been anywhere and is definitely part of „10 years on the road“. It was even built twice, as the first bus was too big!

Not far away, in its natural habitat of Canada, a red cardinal bird sits on a tombstone – as it appears in the Square Hammer video that fell victim to conspiracy theories predicting that the next Ghost frontman would be a red Cardinal. Of course, this bird sings. Somewhere near the Canadian border, another button is hidden under one of the 5 worldwide confetti cannons that are part of every ritual. Lucky who gets a Papa dollar from it. Mummy dust is what it’s all about, the US cannon is the one that makes the song ring out.

Since we’re already in the north, there’s a polar bear leaning against a totem pole consisting of the cardinal, a ghoul and a plague mask. This is just a placeholder. Alaska is still waiting for a Ghost ritual … as is Hawaii – I think those are the only two US states Ghost hasn’t toured yet. In Hawaii, I have set up a Papa Tiki by the palm tree – I’m sure it will be exchangable for a real venue soon.

Mexico

I had to mention Papa Emeritus IV on my Ghost Gig Globe. He appears chronologically as the last pin, since he entered Ghost history shortly after I finished the project. Mexico City was supposed to be a miniature stadium on it. But in preparation of the 3rd shipment attempt, when I was already changing batteries, I also made the Papa IV figure, as he had become more important at his coronation site than the actual building.