We need to talk about Sleep Token (at DLXXII)

Written by guest author Mads

*Barrier at Sleep Token’s Download Headline Set – Mads*

If you were part of the unfortunate group who camped at the barrier from 10am to 11pm on Saturday, June 14, 2025—where did you put your confetti? Mine’s next to my Even in Arcadia album! But seriously, we need to talk about the most controversial headliner of Download XXII (and no, it’s not the overall most controversial act of DLXXII that goes to PRESIDENT).

If you’ve been living in a bunker for the past year (which honestly seems more likely as 2025 rolls on), you might not have heard of Sleep Token. For the uninitiated, Sleep Token is a masked band making waves since 2016, blending progressive metal and alternative rock. They recently shot back into the limelight with their May 2025 release, Even in Arcadia. But don’t think they’re new to success—their Take Me Back to Eden album was the real launchpad into mainstream media. If you haven’t listened to them yet, I highly recommend giving a few songs a try. They don’t stick to one genre, so there’s something for everyone.

Now that you’ve had a whistle-stop tour of Sleep Token, let’s talk about why they were such a controversial choice as a Download headliner. Download is, quote-unquote, a metal festival held annually at Donington Park, UK, with past headliners like Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age, and Slipknot. Over the years, people have complained that Download’s line-ups have become a bit ‘samey.’ So when they shook things up this year, the backlash was loud.

So why was there so much hate for Sleep Token? In my opinion (not that it holds much weight with you, the reader of this article), it’s not really about Sleep Token themselves. It’s about everything that surrounds them. Sleep Token’s popularity has skyrocketed, largely thanks to TikTok. Realistically, the girlies love a man in a mask—I would be lying if I said I didn’t—but TikTok has taken that love and pumped it full of steroids. This has created a fanbase so obsessed it’s borderline toxic. Even as a fan, I can’t stand that side of the fandom. With a new headliner comes a flood of new faces at Download (42% of Download goers were first timers which has mostly because of Sleep Token), and I think that’s where the real hate towards Sleep Token stems from.

Here’s the big question: did Sleep Token fans deserve the backlash? In some ways, yes! Sleep Token fans can sometimes be extremely ‘un-Download.’ Crowd surfing and mosh pits are a massive part of Download’s DNA (state the obvious, why don’t you), but a lot of fans were annoyed by both during their set. Now, I can see both sides of this. On one hand, crowd surfing and moshing have long been staples of the Download experience. On the other, when you’ve stood for 12 hours to watch a band, only to have your favourite song ruined by lugging a middle-aged, overweight man over your head, it can get a bit annoying (not speaking from personal experience, of course).

I think the fundamental flaw here was having to camp at the barrier just to get a remotely decent spot to watch Sleep Token. Camping the barrier isn’t typically a Download thing, but it felt necessary to compete with the die-hard Sleep Token fans and secure a good view. I’m absolutely, unequivocally part of the problem as a barrier camper—but hey, at least I wasn’t standing there solely for them like some others I was around. So, while the hate might be harsh, it’s understandable given how much the fanbase’s behaviour clashed with the usual Download experience.

That said, Sleep Token’s performance at Download was absolutely flawless (except for the curtain dropping early due to the wind). The sound was incredible, Vessel’s voice was probably the best I’ve heard from them live, and the band genuinely seemed to appreciate everyone there. At the end of the day, there will always be haters—just like with BTS—but the crowd they drew at Download spoke volumes about how far they’ve truly come.

At the end of the day, music festivals are all about the experience—both on stage and in the crowd. Whether you loved or hated Sleep Token’s set, one thing’s for sure: they’ve made their mark at Download, and the conversation isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Yours in sweaty solidarity,

Mads