Image: Sleep Token Live [Sara Velez Herrero]
This year, Sleep Token are headlining two of Europe’s biggest rock festivals: Rock am Ring and Download Festival. It’s a huge milestone for the hyped band and a clear sign of how rapidly they’ve risen from newcomers to top-tier acts at major festivals. Join us on a Sleep Token time travel through their past festival performances!
2018
Download Festival 2018
Sleep Token were only formed in 2016 and made their first appearance at Download Festival in 2018 - back then, still low on the lineup on the Dogtooth Stage at 2:20 PM. Just seven years later, they’re now set to play the Main Stage at prime time. Their setlist has changed dramatically since then, as their debut album Sundowning hadn’t even been released yet. Instead, they performed songs from their EPs One and Two, along with some early singles. Here’s a glimpse into those early days, still featuring the white masks of II, III, and IV:
Reading & Leeds Festivals 2018
Sleep Token also performed at Reading and Leeds in 2018 on “The Pit” stage alongside artists like Stray From The Path and Scarlxrd:
Tech Fest 2018
That same year, they also made a surprise appearance as the secret act at UK Tech Fest. Sleep Token weren’t listed in the original lineup, but fans were treated to a surprise set from the masked British band:
2019
Euroblast Festival 2019
At the 2019 Euroblast Festival in Cologne’s Essigfabrik, Sleep Token were already gaining momentum. Their debut album Sundowning was about to drop - and their white masks had now been replaced by black ones.
2021
Download Festival Pilot
In the summer of 2021, the special Download Festival Pilot took place in Donington Park as a government-backed COVID-19 test event. Only British artists performed, including Sleep Token! Once again, they were just about to release a new album - This Place Will Become Your Tomb dropped only a few months later.
2022
Festivals returned in 2022, and Sleep Token jumped right back in with several appearances, including a headlining spot on the Sophie Lancaster Stage at Bloodstock Open Air in England. Their growing popularity was fueled by their second studio album This Place Will Become Your Tomb - but the real breakthrough was still to come.
Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022
Unusual and slightly out of place: their daytime set at Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022. A stark contrast to the dramatic atmosphere we’ve come to expect - something clearly visible during their 2024 Sick New World appearance.
2023
In 2023, Sleep Token played numerous European festivals, including scene favorites like Full Force and Jera On Air. They even made it onto the world-famous Wacken Open Air lineup. Despite many well-established names in the lineup, they held a strong mid-poster position next to acts like Imminence, surpassing many veteran bands. 2023 also saw the release of their breakthrough album Take Me Back To Eden, which quickly dominated their live setlists and pushed them even further into the spotlight. From now on, it's all uphill!
Jera On Air 2023
Graspop Metal Meeting 2023
Wacken Open Air 2023
2024
Sick New World Festival
Sleep Token went all out for Sick New World in Las Vegas: new masks, huge light show - matching what fans saw on their latest tour. It’s a strong preview of what to expect at Rock am Ring and Download Festival in 2025! Plus, their fourth studio album Even In Arcadia drops tomorrow, promising fresh material for the summer’s live shows.
