As thousands of Sleep Token’s followers gathered at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Monday night (Sept. 22), the striking diversity of the fanbase was immediately apparent. The crowd ranged from the devout, adorned in black cloaks, fishnets, and elaborate jewelry, to tattooed millennials and gothic couples in matching black lipstick. Also present were professionals still in work attire and families with curious teenagers, all creating a varied congregation that testified to the band’s wide-reaching appeal.
This packed, sold-out performance was no surprise, given the anonymous rock collective’s astronomical rise. Their 2023 album, Take Me Back to Eden, secured a No. 16 spot on the Billboard 200. Their latest release, Even in Arcadia, debuted at No. 1 on the same chart in May, with all ten of its tracks also charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and cementing the group’s status as crossover hitmakers.
Following a dynamic opening set by Thornhill, the pre-show anticipation was palpable. One fan, who had discovered the band at a festival years ago, shared stories with another who had traveled from rural Texas for his first-ever visit to New York, purely for the concert. As the house lights dimmed and the opening notes of “Look to Windward” filled the arena, the veteran fan turned to the newcomer and said, “Enjoy the ritual!”
The ensuing ritual was electric. Accompanied by the Espera vocal trio, frontman Vessel’s voice soared through the stadium, alternating between piercing screams and haunting croons on hits like “The Offering,” “Caramel,” and “The Summoning.” The band performed on a surprisingly detailed stage featuring rocky tiers, laser displays, and a functional waterfall.
Vessel’s unique stage presence was a show in itself, marked by his signature hop-skip dance moves and vogue-inspired postures. In a moment of playful contrast to the music’s solemnity, he even gave guitarist IV a back massage during the solo for “The Summoning.” This juxtaposition served as a reminder that beyond the lore, Sleep Token is a formidable rock band whose songs deliver a powerful live experience.
True to their enigmatic nature, Vessel never addressed the audience, and the night ended without a “thank you, New York.” The fans, who screamed every lyric and moshed through the heaviest breakdowns, didn’t seem to mind. For them, the music carries a profound emotional weight, and in classic fashion, the band presented themselves as mere conduits for that connection.
