GHOST's TOBIAS FORGE Debunks The Myth That Indie Bands Don’t Want Mainstream Success

Ghost frontman Tobias Forge has opened up about the band's unexpected rise to fame and pushed back on the idea that so-called "indie" artists don't desire mainstream recognition. In a new interview with Classic Rock, Forge reflected on Ghost's early days, the role of satanic imagery, and the misconception that commercial success and artistic integrity are mutually exclusive.

Ghost has become one of modern rock and metal's most prominent success stories. Tracks like "Cirice", "Square Hammer", and "Mary on a Cross" have helped the Swedish act cross genre boundaries, building a passionate fanbase while also gaining traction with mainstream listeners.

Yet, Forge insists that commercial ambition wasn't part of Ghost's original blueprint. "The first Ghost record was written with no commercial aspirations whatsoever," Forge said. "It was just like an art project for me, and the satanic imagery was kind of a homage to my origins in the underground death metal/black metal scenes, where all that stuff is omnipresent."

Despite its underground roots, Ghost quickly began gaining momentum, and Forge embraced the opportunity. "With the second album, I had a sense that this might be the train I'd been waiting for," he continued. "So that made me sharpen my senses, and I figured: 'Well, if people are listening, I might as well say something worthwhile.'"

In the same interview, Forge addressed a common belief in the indie and alternative music worlds — that many artists deliberately avoid success or mainstream acceptance.

"There's this misconception, especially in indie rock, that people don't want to look good, and they don't want to be liked," he said. "You think that My Bloody Valentine didn't want to be successful? Of course they did! Did they want to become U2? Probably not. But they wanted to be just as effective in affecting people with their music."

According to Forge, it's only natural for artists to want to reach wider audiences — and doing so shouldn't come at the cost of authenticity. "If that means selling more records or getting more streams, then great," he concluded.

Ghost is currently out there kicking ass on their world tour, which started on April 15. Tickets are available here.

7/9 Baltimore, MD CFG Bank Arena
7/11 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
7/12 Tampa, FL Amalie Arena
7/13 Miami, FL Kaseya Center
7/15 Raleigh, NC Lenovo Center
7/17 Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
7/18 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
7/19 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
7/21 Boston, MA TD Garden
7/22 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
7/24 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
7/25 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
7/26 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
7/28 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
7/29 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum
7/30 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center
8/1 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
8/2 Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
8/3 Omaha, NE CHI Health Center
8/5 Kansas City, MO T-Mobile Center
8/7 Denver, CO Ball Arena
8/9 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
8/10 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena
8/11 Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center
8/14 Austin, TX Moody Center
8/15 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
8/16 Houston, TX Toyota Center
9/24 Mexico City, MX Palacio de los Deportes
9/25 Mexico City, MX Palacio de los Deportes