Sleep Token and Thornhill
Moda Center // Portland, Oregon // October 8, 2025
Review by Bruna Cucolo
Fall of 2025 has been the season when thousands attended worship in arenas across the country. About two months of tour, 17 dates, anonymous members in front of large crowds with the most mesmerizing stage setup: It was not just a concert, it was a ceremony. Whichever genre one may put them in — alternative rock, melodic metalcore, etc. — the English band Sleep Token has been on their Even In Arcadia tour for some time now. Their antepenultimate stop was in Portland, Oregon on October 8 at Moda Center. It was an extremely special evening, so unparalleled to what most attendees may have experienced before.
Joining Sleep Token on all 17 dates is the Australian metal band Thornhill. Starting with “DIESEL,” they set the tone for the rest of the night, continuing with nine other tunes that would get the crowd warmed up for the headliner. Their set included “Mercia,” “under the knife,” “Revolver,” “nerv” and other heavy-hitting tracks. Quite a bit of the crowd seemed to already be at least familiar with the band — especially in the pit, they were jumping and screaming along with the lyrics as if they knew their work. Their lead vocalist had the arena moving around, getting everyone on their feet, ready for the main act.
There was a curtain, and concert attendees love a curtain drop, so there was excitement for that. Sleep Token’s logo began to appear on it with the opening song playing, “Look To Windward,” the band was behind the curtain. The band stops playing, the images on the curtain disappear, the crowd cheers but then there’s a quick silence. Some seconds later blue and purple-pink lights flash, the curtain drops, the crowd screams. The ritual has begun. And it only got better from there.
Sleep Token’s set lasted about an hour and a half. The entirety of it involved breakdowns that fans went crazy for, amazing vocals that sounded so clean and a setup that would blow one’s mind, which discussing about is a must. The way it looked like the stage was designed including a cave-like area where the drummer was placed, it brought fans into a very specific setting, with images on the side screens and different colored lights setting the mood for each song. Oh, the lighting! It was all truly captivating; it really lured you in with the different flashing combinations and laser lights. To whoever set up this tour’s lighting: splendid work. The performance was put together so well that it kept fans engaged the whole time while wanting more.
Sleep Token played a total of 15 songs with three interludes throughout. Some songs included were “Vore,” “Alkaline,” “Rain,” “Caramel” and “Aqua Regia.” Each song is so unique but together they flow graciously. And maybe it’s difficult to put the band into a singular genre, but magnificent and breathtaking could be two words to describe this tour. Unfortunately, it’s about to come to an end. If you were one of thousands who witnessed it, though, consider yourself blessed. This was a ritual that can never be taken away from you, you’ll be reminiscing it for years to come.
