In a tragic blow to anonymity, ritual, and extremely committed branding, mysterious UK collective Sleep Token were reportedly denied boarding on a flight to Mexico after refusing to remove their masks during airport security screening.
According to eyewitnesses, the band arrived at the terminal fully robed, fully masked, and fully prepared to worship… but not to comply with TSA regulations, which continue to operate under the controversial belief that faces are, in fact, useful for identification.
Airport officials allegedly asked frontman Vessel to “please remove the mask for just a moment,” to which he responded by silently staring into the middle distance, summoning emotional devastation, and possibly lowering the temperature in the terminal by several degrees.
Security staff then attempted to reason with the remaining members, who reportedly communicated only through nods, gestures, and an aura of unresolved trauma. One official was overheard asking, “Is this a religion, a band, or a really intense theater kid thing?” — a question science has yet to answer.
Sources say the situation escalated when Sleep Token offered to compromise by removing their masks spiritually, while keeping them physically intact. TSA declined.
“We respect artistic expression,” said one airport spokesperson, “but we still need to know if you’re on the no-fly list or just… sad.”
Passengers waiting nearby described the scene as “confusing,” “deeply uncomfortable,” and “way heavier than an airport Starbucks deserves.” One traveler claimed Vessel began chanting softly near Gate 23, causing three delayed flights, two emotional breakthroughs, and one spontaneous divorce.
Ultimately, the band was escorted out of the terminal after refusing all alternative identification methods, including passports, driver’s licenses, and “vibes.”
Sleep Token later released a statement consisting entirely of a black square, a candle emoji, and the word Worship written in lowercase.
Their Mexico shows are now reportedly “postponed until further notice, divine intervention, or the collapse of modern air travel.”
At press time, the band was last seen exiting the airport in silence, disappearing into a cloud of dry ice, existential dread, and extremely expensive merch.
