Who is PRESIDENT? - The mystery band that had Sleep Token fans FOOLED

The heavy music world loves a good mystery, and the latest enigma to capture fans’ attention is a new band called PRESIDENT. With their sudden appearance on the Download Festival 2025 lineup and an air of secrecy surrounding their identity, speculation has run wild. For weeks, fans debated whether this was a secret project tied to the anonymous UK band Sleep Token. But recent findings suggest that the mastermind behind PRESIDENT might be none other than Charlie Simpson of Busted and Fightstar fame. Here’s how the speculation unfolded.

The Sleep Token Theory

When PRESIDENT’s name popped up on Download Festival’s 2025 announcement, fans immediately started theorizing. The band had no previous releases, no clear members, and no information beyond a simple social media presence. Given the rise of mysterious branding in the modern metal scene led by the masked and anonymous collective Sleep Token many assumed PRESIDENT was a side project or rebranding related to them.

Some pointed out that PRESIDENT shares management connections with Sleep Token, and their cryptic marketing style felt familiar. The lack of information, combined with their dramatic reveal, had people convinced that Vessel and the gang were up to something new. But as internet sleuths dug deeper, the Sleep Token connection started to unravel.

Enter Charlie Simpson

The first major clue came when a Reddit user discovered that the UK trademark for “PRESIDENT” was registered under Komorebi Entertainment Limited. A quick search revealed that this company is owned by none other than Charlie Simpson... yes, the same Charlie Simpson from Busted and Fightstar. This revelation sent fans into another frenzy, trying to piece together how Simpson could be involved in such a mysterious new act.

For those unfamiliar, Simpson has long balanced between commercial success and heavy music credibility. While Busted is known for pop rock anthems, Fightstar carved out a respected space in the post hardcore and alternative metal world. His solo work also explores atmospheric and experimental sounds, making it entirely possible that PRESIDENT could be his next ambitious project.

What We Know So Far

While we still don’t have official confirmation on who is in PRESIDENT, the signs strongly point to Simpson’s involvement. The band’s official social media follows artists like Mogwai, Underoath, The Cure, and Deftones suggesting a diverse range of influences. Their branding and marketing strategy also lean heavily into the modern trend of secrecy and mystique, much like Sleep Token and even Ghost before them.

With PRESIDENT set to make their live debut at Download Festival, it won’t be long before we get a clearer picture. Will it sound like Fightstar 2.0? Will Simpson finally lean fully into the heavier side of his artistry? Or is this an entirely new direction?

The Hype is Real

Regardless of who is behind PRESIDENT, one thing is clear: the buzz is working. Mystery sells, and this project has already generated massive interest before releasing a single song. Whether you were hoping for a Sleep Token side project or are intrigued by the Charlie Simpson connection, PRESIDENT has positioned themselves as one of the most anticipated new acts of 2025.

Stay tuned because this mystery is far from over.