As a huge fan, producer and best friend of MTV now GTV legend, Vanessa Warwick, I was honoured to fly to Orlando and catch up with Vanessa on the first date of this American leg of the Ghost Skeletour in sunny Orlando in the USofA.
Back in the ’90s, Vanessa and I worked our butts off on Headbangers Ball, which became a global TV series celebrating all things Heavy Metal. We worked with our heroes from Ozzy Osbourne to Pantera and beyond, creating an appointment to view for Metallers worldwide – one being a young Tobias Forge.
Fast forward to the present, and Vanessa is back on our screens where she rightly belongs and hosting the hugely successful GTV’s Ghoulbangers Ball, which is now a global Ghost Banger uniting the band with their incredible fanbase.
At every Ghost gig, Vanessa steps out amongst the community in her stunning outfits to get the lowdown on all things Ghost. From the ritual ready hashtag which celebrates the shamazing outfits to the buzz of the gig to the backstage banter, we get to go Excess All Areas with Tobias, the crew, the community and Vanessa herself.
We witnessed what Vanessa gets up to as the lights go down, and what she does is truly awesome. Plus, we all get Satanised together as well as witness the Orlando show, which was truly spooktacular. And in this Metaltalk exclusive, this is what Vanessa Warwick has to say about hosting the whole shebang.
Vanessa says she is hugely honoured to be the presenter of GTV’s Ghoulbangers Ball and working with Ghost. “That TF was even aware of me, and my work at MTV’s Headbangers Ball was a revelation,” she told MetalTalk .”Then to hear from him that the music played on Headbangers Ball had influenced him in his formative years as a musician, well, that was truly amazing.”
Blessed is how she describes the creative collaboration with Ghost in the groundbreaking format of GTV and Ghoulbangers Ball. “I think, as a team, we are setting new standards of tour coverage, and perhaps most importantly, fan engagement with a band. With Ghost being a masked band, they cannot interact with the fans in the usual manner, so I have the role of being the bridge between Ghost’s world and the fan community.
“For the fans, I am a tangible link between them and the band, and it’s a responsibility I do not take lightly.”
The phone ban at Ghost concerts adds another layer of distance. The Ghoulbangers Ball episodes bridge that,” Vanessa says, “and are like postcards that the whole Ghost fandom can enjoy and follow along with the Skeletour.
“It’s wonderful to work creatively with TF, and see how his mind works, and that his thinking has no limits. I think we’ve created something really special with GTV thanks to TF’s vision. It’s fun, it’s educational, it’s emotional, it’s authentic, it’s joyful and it’s Headbangers Ball-type coverage reincarnated for a new generation and consumption via social media.”
Vanessa says that the Ghost community are the most incredible fandom Ishe has come across in any niche. “They are so friendly, supportive, kind, inclusive, and devoted,” she says. “The atmosphere at the shows is so precious and joyful, and I love being out and about with the fans and hearing their stories of what Ghost means to them.
“There have been many emotional moments and tears along the way, but these are always cathartic and healing because Ghost’s music and lyrics hit so hard.
“I truly love the fans and how creative and caring they are. They support each other through challenging times through their shared love of Ghost. Like any community, Ghost has brought like-minded people together, but, in this instance, Ghost’s ethos encourages the very best and most positive aspects of community.
“Whole multi-generational families come to the shows. Kids with their parents and grandparents are all bonding together over their love of Ghost and creating wonderful shared memories. The love that Papa and the band have for the fans, and vice versa, is tangible and palpable at the rituals, and it’s beautiful and wholesome to witness every night on tour.
“From what I have observed, being a Ghost fan is almost a way of life or a lifestyle, and fans repeatedly tell me that Ghost is part of their daily life. Whether listening to the music, consuming Ghost content, being creative, or sharing the Ghost love with other fans, they remain engaged with the band, even between tours and album cycles.
“Ghost brings so much joy, and this is something positive to focus on, especially when times are dark. That level of ongoing engagement and commitment from fans is incredible, and I believe many other bands and artists can learn from it.
There have been many Skeletour highlights for Vanessa Warwick, but being a small cog in a large machine that is so spectacular, impactful, and groundbreaking is up there with the best. “To see the show every night, interact with the fans, see all the trucks being packed up at the end of the night, is such a privilege,” she says. “Every night I stand quietly and take it all in with an immense feeling of gratitude to be there.
“I love being able to watch the band walk to the stage every night, see the costumes close up, and I also go out into the audience and dance with the fans, which is so joyful. The opening strains of Peacefield create intense emotions, and I will never forget standing in the darkened arenas and hearing such beautiful music with meaningful and relatable lyrics that lift your soul. The show is two hours long, but it’s back-to-back killer songs, and it passes all too quickly.”
Vanessa says she loves the buzz and adrenaline rush of being on the road, and then retiring to her bunk on the tour bus every night to sleep.
“It’s a unique and highly enjoyable way of life to step into for a few weeks on each leg of the tour,” she says, “and I get dreadful post-tour blues when I go home.
“I can honestly say that being on the Skeletour has been one of the happiest and most creatively rewarding times of my life, and this is down to the music and world that TF has created. He should be very proud of what he’s achieved and how he has positively impacted people’s lives on so many levels above and beyond the music.”
Ghost shows are spectacular for so many reasons and on so many levels. “It’s the music, the costumes, the atmosphere, the energy, the interactions between the ghouls and the interactions between the band and the fans,” Vanessa says. “And of course, Papa V, the ultimate rock star who cracks jokes and makes everyone feel seen.
“Then there is the staging. I always describe it as a stadium show squashed into an arena. It’s truly spectacular with many costumes and set changes. There is so much visual eye candy.
“Every song is a belter, and I dance along at the side of the stage every night. I’ve seen over 50 shows, and every night I am still enthralled. It’s like a good movie. It takes you completely out of your own life for two hours, and you are just in the moment with all your senses alive.
“All your worries and cares are forgotten, and you are present in the moment. It’s so healthy to have a break from the stresses and strains of everyday life and be lifted up by the music, joy, and love expressed at every show. It’s a communion of sorts, in the truest sense of the word. Not religious, but definitely spiritual, and that feeling of unity is very empowering.”
The shows are a safe space for self-expression and also letting go of emotional baggage through the music. “I think Ghost provide a public service in this regard,” Vanessa says. “Fans leave feeling refreshed and light in spirit. This is the transformative power of music in action on a deep and magical level and resonates long after the band have taken their final bow.”
For Vanessa, evolving from MTV to GTV has felt entirely natural. “From the first show in Manchester on the UK leg of the Skeletour, I was back in my element and the years just melted away,” she says. “I felt an instant rapport with the fans, and they were so welcoming and supportive.
“Across all Ghost’s social media and channels, the comments around GTV and myself are overwhelmingly positive, and that is so appreciated. This really boosted my confidence in the early days of GTV.
“Knowing I have the support of TF and also the entire band and crew has also helped enormously. I’ve so enjoyed developing the format with TF and the GTV team, and we’ve had so much fun and laughter along the way, and I hope that comes across in the programming.
“I think the Skeletour will go down in history as one of the greatest rock shows of modern times, and the Ghoulbangers Ball episodes capture that moment in time for everyone to savour and enjoy in perpetuity. It’s wonderful to be able to say ‘I was there’.
“As for GTV, you never know, it may continue beyond the Skeletour, and I cannot wait for the next era and what that might bring. Whatever happens, I will leave the Skeletour with a heart full of joy and gratitude for the experience and feeling greatly enriched by being a small part of it.”
And so back to Orlando, where we witnessed Vanessa in action. As we walked up to the Kia Center for tonight’s Ghost gig, I was chuffed to be recognised as Vanessa’s bestie by the fans from our intrepid host’s Insta and social media stories and was instantly welcomed and given bracelets and huge hugs from everyone.
We were all there united as we all met up and buzzed about this upcoming gig, as well as taking loads of selfies before we handed in our phones for the main event.
This Ghost gig was a two-hour absolute spectacle of incredible production, packed with anthem after anthem. We were all in awe at the stage production, lighting and pyros. The band are seriously on point, and there was so much for our eyes and ears to take in.
I was there with my Orlando besties, Dom and Blake, with their gorgeous guy liner and glitter, and everyone was up out of their seats, belting out the songs, dancing and bedazzled and enchanted at what we were witnessing. And with no phones in our faces, we could enjoy the show for what it is.
Every member in the band is entertaining, from the Ghoulettes to the guitarists, getting us pumped up, and a backline like no other. There were Key-tars, spectacular solos and Papa with more costume changes than Cher at a comeback gig.
The rising pope was the absolute showstopper for us all, and being blasted with mummy dust. Teens were teaching their dads the lyrics, everyone was hugging in Metal unity, and eyes were wide open at the absolute epicness of the show.
Every song on the setlist is crafted to perfection, with even the nuance of a hand gesture from Papa to flirting with us fans. Each move creates and crackles the electricity between band and fan. I don’t need to go through every song on the setlist, as anyone reading this will know and love the greatness of Ghost. No wonder the late great Ozzy Osbourne (our much-loved friend) loved Tobias et al.
We left the gig knackered, sweaty, singing our hearts out and gave one last hug to our new Ghost friends.
USA, watch out as Ghost continues to darken your doorsteps on the Skeletour. You are in for a (trick or) treat. Mind blown.
If you can’t make it to the States, then feel like you’ve been there and bought the T-shirt courtesy of the Metal Queen, Vanessa Warwick and GTV’s Ghoulbangers Ball.
After the Skeletour, we will be back to producing loads more rock star interviews and fan chats with Trust In Rock on Vanessa’s Metal YouTube channel.
Mahoosive Metal thanks to Vanessa Warwick, team Ghost, Kristen Mulderig, Jen and to my Orlando posse, Sharon Ali, The Zee family, Maggie and Marty, Dom, Blake and to all the awesome Ghost fans.
Photography: Shaun Carantit and Sara Harding
