Sleep Theory Continue Their Rapid Rise with Special London 02 Forum Show [Photos]

On Thursday, a sold-out crowd packed into the O2 Forum Kentish Town to witness Sleep Theory headline their very first UK tour. For a band still in the early stages of their career, the scale of the night was telling. The evening was originally planned for The Dome and had been upgraded after tickets sold out in just 30 minutes. That surge in demand felt like a clear sign that something significant is building around them. Rather than a milestone moment, this show felt more like a glimpse into the future, a tell-tale indication that Sleep Theory is on a trajectory towards much bigger stages.

Opening the evening were The Pretty Wild, stepping onto a UK stage for the very first time. The Las Vegas sisters did not ease themselves in gently. From the moment they arrived, they threw everything into their performance, delivering a fiery mix of quick-fire rap verses and heavy, full-force screaming vocals. The contrast between the two styles gave their set a punchy edge, and they kept the tempo high throughout. There was no sense of hesitation despite it being their debut on this side of the Atlantic, and their confidence quickly translated to the crowd.

Between songs, they allowed themselves a few refreshingly honest pauses, catching their breath and sharing how much they were enjoying their first UK experience. Those small interactions brought the crowd in, showing their more human side between the intense music. They spoke about their excitement for the rest of their European dates and promised to meet fans at the merch booth afterwards, which earned a warm reaction. A standout moment came with their 2024 single “sLeepwALkeR”, with the audience enthusiastically shouting along to the “Reaper Fear Me” line. For a debut UK appearance, it was confident, dramatic in the best way, and clearly won them plenty of new fans.

By the time Sleep Theory took to the stage, the venue was packed wall to wall. The move from The Dome to a larger room felt entirely justified. Their stage production had clearly been scaled up too, with CO2 jets firing in time with the music and lighting that shifted mood perfectly. Bright colours went with the more melodic moments, while darker red tones took over when the songs leaned heavier. It all felt carefully thought out.

They opened with “Fallout,” stepping onto the stage with a level of confidence that suggested they were completely at home, rather than headlining in the UK for the very first time. Frontman Cullen Moore commanded the room with ease, moving constantly and engaging with the crowd at every opportunity. The audience response suggested many were already deeply familiar with the lyrics, a clear sign of how quickly the band has connected with listeners.

Midway through the set, Sleep Theory surprised everyone by dropping into a run of covers. “Can You Stand the Rain” by Boyz II Men and “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC were both huge crowd pleasers, delivered with enough of the band’s own style to make them feel fresh rather than gimmicky. Later, a cover of “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift sent the energy through the roof just before the final stretch of the set.

The closing run of songs was where everything peaked. “Stuck in My Head” and “Numb” led into the viral hit “Static”. During the final track, Moore climbed down to the barrier and into the crowd, narrowly avoiding an incoming crowd surfer as he was lifted above the audience. With CO2 jets still blasting behind him on stage, it was an incredible, memorable image that perfectly captured the night.

The larger venue suited Sleep Theory incredibly well. While there is a small sense of what could have been had they stayed at The Dome, it is hard to deny that they already feel destined for even bigger rooms. Judging by this performance, it may not be long before arena shows are their norm, making this sold-out night in Kentish Town feel like a special moment in their rapidly accelerating journey.

Check out Lorna Leahy Photography’s fantastic photo gallery and the Sleep Theory Setlist here:

Sleep Theory Setlist:

1. Fallout
2. Enough
3. Parasite
4. Hourglass
5. Just a Mistake
6. Gone or Staying
7. Can You Stand the Rain (Boyz II Men cover)
8. Bye Bye Bye (*NSYNC cover)
9. Afterglow
10. Gravity
11. III
12. Paralyzed
13. My Heart (Paramore cover)
14. It’s Over
15. Another Way
16. Words Are Worthless
17. Cruel Summer (Taylor Swift cover)
18. Stuck in My Head
19. Numb
20. Static