Reality show winner and pop star ‘unveiled' as mysterious masked performer President ahead of Download Festival slot
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THE identity of a mysterious mask-wearing performer who leads new band President has been revealed ahead of its Download Festival performance tomorrow afternoon.
The hard-rocking act launched its presidential campaign out of the blue earlier this year with a series of cryptic social media posts.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
4
President is playing a 30 minute set at Download tomorrow afternoon
Credit: Instagram
More recently the band announced its first rally (headline gig) is taking place on July 30 at The Garage, London. It quickly sold out.
Two crushing singles, In The Name of the Father and Fearless, are aural manifestos, acting as a rallying cry for rock and metal lovers to pledge allegiance.
Speculation over President's identity has been rife ever since the first images of its frontman wearing a creepy rubber mask went public.
A place on the Download Festival bill before a physical release indicated the band's members had some gravitas in the industry.
The consensus is that the singer Busted frontman Charlie Simpson.
President's songs bear a striking resemblance to Charlie's trademark gravelly vocals, particularly from his time leading Fightstar in the early noughties.
That band reunited last year for a sellout gig at Wembley Arena to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Charlie won The Masked Singer disguised as a Rhino in 2023, and it seems the experience has inspired him to launch a more serious masked side project.
Not only that, but fans have spotted a gap in the front teeth of the singer, which Charlie is known to have.
Beyond the vocal and facial similarities, though, is the fact that the trademark for President's music on Spotify belongs to King of Terror.
The Masked Singer crowns Charlie Simpson winner as Rhino revealed
The sole director for that firm on Companies House is one Charles Robert Simpson, while documents show his wife Anna holds 50 percent share stake in the business.
Though the mystery may be solved, the concept is still creative and refreshing.
Faceless acts aren't particularly unusual in modern rock - Ghost have been doing it ghoulishly well for years and Download headliners Sleep Token are currently the genre's biggest poster boys - but President's committal to its theme remains intriguing.
And mystery still surrounds the remaining members of the group with former Bring Me The Horizon star Jordan Fish and members of Sleep Token and Bullet For My Valentine tipped to be involved.
If you're at Download this weekend check them out on the Dogtooth Stage at 4.25pm tomorrow.
4
It appears Charlie Simpson is the man behind the President mask
Credit: Getty
4
Charlies is best known for his work in Busted with James Bourne and Matt Willis
Credit: Getty
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Jessie J fights back tears at Summertime Ball as she reveals she's taking break from music to ‘beat breast cancer'
The hitmaker got emotional while on stage this afternoon in London SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT Jessie J fights back tears at Summertime Ball as she reveals she's taking break from music to 'beat breast cancer' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JESSIE J has revealed that she is taking a break from music to 'beat breast cancer' after her recent shock diagnosis. Speaking at Captial's Summertime Ball today at Wembley, Jessie J got candid as she stood on stage, The Sun can reveal. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Jessie J opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis at Captial's Summertime Ball today Credit: Getty 3 Jessie revealed her breast cancer diagnosis recently Credit: Getty "Talking of no secrets, you'll know I've always been an open book," she began. "Today this show is my last show before I go and beat breast cancer. "So it's so special to me," she added. Jessie went on: "I feel so proud to be the UK because we're honest and we say what we feel. "I am so grateful for this life, for you guys, my career, my son, my partner "I have so much to live for. There is so much to do." She continued: "This song is the soundtrack for myself. "This is hands down one of my favourite songs I have written and it's called living my best life. "It should have been called living my breast life," she joked. Jessie concluded: "Let's put some good energy in this place because I know I'm not the only one going through something right now." Jessie J reveals she's been diagnosed with breast cancer & will have surgery She then crooned the hit to the masses in the audience. At the start of June, the Price Tag songstress revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer and would soon undergo surgery. The former Voice coach, who shares a son with basketball player Chanan Colman, opened up about the sad news on Instagram in video she uploaded. In the post she told fans: "I was diagnosed with early breast cancer." 3 She added: "Cancer sucks in any form, but I'm holding on to the word 'early'." The singer then said she would be undergoing surgery after performing at the Summertime Ball, meaning her surgery will be scheduled to take place very soon. "It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job," she joked at the time of announcing her diagnosis. Jessie then explained that she was hesitant about going public with her diagnosis. But she revealed that she decided to be "open" for multiple reasons. "One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough," she said. Jessie added: "I'm not processing it because I'm working so hard. "I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I'm an open book." She said: "It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse—that's the bit that kills me." Referring to her latest tracks "No Secrets" and "Living my Best Life" she said "you can't make it up" - explaining she had no idea about her diagnosis at the time of recording.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brad Pitt ‘having midlife crisis' as A-lister dons four BIZARRE outfits leaving fans asking ‘wtf'
Fans of the superstar — whose new film F1 is out this month — questioned his wardrobe decisions BRADLY DRESSED BOY! Brad Pitt 'having midlife crisis' as A-lister dons four BIZARRE outfits leaving fans asking 'wtf' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRAD Pitt wore a series of wacky outfits at the weekend — sparking speculation he was having a mid-life fashion crisis. The 61-year-old actor, who previously stated he has no sense of style, left fans gobsmacked at his bizarre wardrobe choices. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Brad Pitt rocked a very bold blue outfit as had a date night with girlfriend Ines de Ramon Credit: Getty 4 Brad was earlier seen in cream and green cargo trousers Credit: Getty He was out in New York on Saturday night with girlfriend Ines de Ramon, 29 years his junior, in an oversized blue velvet blazer with a pinstripe shirt and high-waist jeans. Earlier he was seen in cream and green cargo trousers before changing into a yellow tie-dye top and trousers to film a TV chat show. On Friday, he wore an oversized blue silk shirt and ripped velvet black trousers for a double date with Ines, fellow actor Bradley Cooper and his supermodel girlfriend Gigi Hadid. Fans of the superstar — whose new film F1 is out this month — questioned his wardrobe decisions. READ MORE ON BRAD PITT Double Trouble Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper head out on double date in NYC with girlfriends One asked: 'Need to know wtf is going on with Brad Pitt's wardrobe currently. Why is he wearing all that?' Another replied bluntly: 'Midlife crisis I fear.' As the photographs spread on social media, another commented: 'Need a decent stylist to help him choose clothes. Just because it's in so-called fashion doesn't mean it's nice.' However Brad has previously indicated he has little interest in wearing what is fashionable. He said: 'If I have a style, it's 'no style'. It's led by comfort. 'It's too exhausting to follow trends. And I despise billboards; I just don't want to be billboard.' Angelina Jolie is in 'goddess mode' with new beau – while Brad Pitt is 'putting on for the cameras' with his, says pro Brad, who has six children with his ex Angelina Jolie, added: 'You get older, you get crankier, and comfort becomes more important. 'I think it's as simple as that.' 4 Brad also changed into a yellow tie-dye top and trousers to film a TV chat show Credit: Getty 4 On Friday, he wore an oversized blue silk shirt and ripped velvet black trousers for a double date Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Iconic ITV star reveals she was given ‘Beatlemania' welcome to the States
She also met a huge celebrity during her time across the pond TWIST AND SHOUT Iconic ITV star reveals she was given 'Beatlemania' welcome to the States AN ITV Downton Abbey star was left shocked after she was given a welcome like The Beatles when she visited the States. Phyllis Logan, 69, was left speechless after discovering the period drama was a hit in the US, similar to 'Beatlemania'. 3 Scots star Phyllis Logan opened up about her time visiting America Credit: Getty 3 The veteran star plays head housekeeper Mrs Hughes in the period drama Credit: ITV The veteran actor plays head housekeeper Mrs Hughes in the Julian Fellowes hit alongside Hugh Bonneville and fellow Scot Maggie Smith. She told MailOnline of her US visit: ''It was so weird pitching up to places. 'It was like The Beatles had arrived and it was just us. 'In New York we used to go to this lovely theatre and all the people coming would dress as characters from the show and we would do a Q&A and a panel with the audience.' She added: 'They would go absolutely crazy.' Elsewhere on her time across the pond, Logan rubbed shoulders with former First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House. She added: 'That was incredible. 'There we were in this little side room and she came bounding in and gave us all a hug and just talked. 'We spoke for about ten minutes and got a photograph with her. 'She was just so charming and beautiful and elegant and enchanting and funny. 'She was just great. It was a real highlight.' Downton Abbey is a historical drama television series set in an English country manor during the early 20th century. It launched in 2010 and ran for fifty-two episodes across six series, including five Christmas specials. Logan is now enjoying her new starring role in the crime series Murder Most Puzzling. 3 An Iconic telly star admits he wishes he'd quit BBC hit YEARS ago Credit: PA She plays the part of Cora Felton in the Channel 5 drama, which is based on the bestselling Puzzle Lady books by American author Parnell Hall.
