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Reality show winner and pop star ‘unveiled' as mysterious masked performer President ahead of Download Festival slot
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.
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 Rhin o 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.
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