The enigmatic new masked band known as President has announced their first-ever headlining concert, a self-styled “headline rally,” scheduled for July 30, 2025, at The Garage in London. This news, shared with fans via their newsletter on May 21st, follows the recent release of their debut single, “In the Name of the Father,” and further intensifies the speculation about the identities behind the masks. Synth-rock duo Zetra will support the London show, with tickets now on sale.
President first captured attention with their addition to this year’s Download festival lineup, where they are set to make their live debut on Sunday, June 15th. While initial fan theories posited a connection to fellow masked phenomenon Sleep Token (who are headlining Download), the release of “In the Name of the Father” in mid-May shifted the discussion. Some listeners noted stylistic similarities to Deftones or Chino Moreno‘s project Crosses.
However, strong rumors suggest that President may be fronted by Charlie Simpson, known for his work with UK bands Busted and Fightstar. This theory is bolstered by the fact that their debut single was released via King Of Terrors/ADA, and King Of Terrors Limited is a company that lists Charles Robert Simpson as an employee. Furthermore, Simpson has previously performed in a mask on the British version of “The Masked Singer.”
The debut single, “In The Name Of The Father,” was described in a press release as “a raw meditation on existential fear and the inevitability of death, referencing the ‘King Of Terrors.’” Accompanying the single’s release, President issued a cryptic statement:
“Something has been stirring. A growing noise, a ripple through the republic of the underground. We called. You listened. Your curiosity, your questions, your conversation… We have witnessed it all. Here, we make our first proclamation. ‘In The Name Of The Father’. This is the first crack in the surface. This is your PRESIDENT. We’ll be seeing you soon. Godspeed.”
The emergence of President taps into a current strong interest in anonymous and masked bands within the heavy music scene. Acts like Ghost, fronted by Tobias Forge but maintaining a strong sense of mystique, and the still-anonymous Sleep Token, have both recently achieved significant mainstream success, including No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 (Ghost with Skeletá and Sleep Token with Even in Arcadia).
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