Masked Act Sleep Token Among Headliners Bringing Freshness to Download Festival

While individuals often possess extensive knowledge about their preferred musical artists, an element of intrigue surrounds one of the main acts for the upcoming Download festival. This mystery is largely due to their masked presence. The British metal ensemble Sleep Token is slated to top the bill in Leicestershire, alongside Green Day and Korn. This marks the first time any of these three headlining groups have served as the primary performers at the rock gathering. Sleep Token, formed in 2016, is recognized for performing in masks to conceal their identities, a practice that has generated significant interest. Online searches provide no straightforward information about them, with various theories circulating regarding their identities, frequently referencing “research and analysis.” “I think it’s a big part of the attraction because no-one knows who they are,” stated fan Devon, from Plymouth. “It gives a lot of people a chance to see them. I’ve always wanted to see them and Download’s just an amazing opportunity.” Devon, 25, informed BBC Newsbeat that “the massive bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Slipknot” typically occupy the headline slot, and views this change as beneficial. “Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love those bands, but it’s nice to have something new for once,” Devon added. Despite some criticism regarding the absence of certain traditional acts, Devon believes this reflects a situation where “people don’t like seeing new stuff coming out.” Gareth, a Cardiff resident and a Sleep Token fan for five years, expressed his excitement to see them perform. He described the group as having “moments of real sombreness” interspersed with heavy metal. “I guess when they started, they were supporting the headliners [at the time],” Gareth, 22, commented. “It’s so good to see the evolution of a band from playing in small venues to them now having millions of monthly listeners, and also to headline what is probably the biggest metal festival in the UK.” Other acts scheduled to perform include McFly, Bullet For My Valentine, Don Broco, Sex Pistols, Alien Ant Farm, Spiritbox, Poppy, and CKY. Alyx Holcombe, presenter of BBC Introducing Rock on Radio 1, characterized the new line-up as “refreshing.” She told Newsbeat, “It feels like we are going in the right direction for rock music.” Holcombe further noted, “The music is like something that I don’t think anyone has really ever heard before. It’s quite a new sound.” She also expressed admiration for the “clever” mystery masks, stating that they “creates intrigue.” Holcombe elaborated, “I think it adds a layer of mystery and curiosity as to why are all these people in masks. I want to know who is creating this amazing music, and it creates a mass fandom.” According to Alyx, headlining Download propels Sleep Token into the “big leagues” of rock. She asserted, “I think it’s a statement that Download have put out. Like actually, Sleep Token are as good as all these other bands, and you should get on board with them. It would be a dream for anyone, and to be next to Green Day and Korn, I know they’re absolutely stoked about this.” The Download festival is scheduled to take place at Donington Park, Leicestershire, between 13 and 15 June. Newsbeat can be heard live at 12:45 and 17:45 on weekdays, or accessed for playback via this link. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.