Wembley First Year Anniversary Post – 16|12|2023 (written: 16|12|2024)
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London, 16th of December 2023. The day has come.
The day I was looking forward the most to during my stay abroad. Goddamn, that was a disaster, mentally draining even. I got up at 8AM because I wanted to go to the pop-up store. But I felt like shit. My back hurt like hell, my limbs sore. I didn't know I had Covid but hell, if I knew, I would say "Fuck it!" and still go. Because... This stay abroad was hell. I felt like being in a hole and Sleep Token... I needed them to say the least. To get comforted by their presence and music.
I won't recapitulate everything. But I can say this:
I was one of the first 100 people with Philipp, one of my dearest uni friends (who I could convince getting a ticket with my presale account information) queuing up and waiting for Alina, the person who ordered me a ticket, even though she didn't know me. All she knew was, that I was German, like her. And as she came to the pop-up store as well, it felt like....I belonged there. Behind us, Amy, from Ireland, a treasure of a person.
And as we stood there, I was texting with Alex ( @fivewholeminutes ) who gave me updates of the queue. With her, a propeller hat and a sign, asking the boys if they could give her a pick or a drumstick "for a friend". The friend that she knew for only 3 months, that she met a day before Wembley. Hi, that was me.
As I stood there, with Philipp and Alina, my back killed me even more. The pain was unbearable. But if you know me well and see me, I am like a little owl, looking around, to make sure how my surrounding situation looks like. Because big crowds, people I don't know... they scare me.
And as I looked on my right side, I stared into a camera. I started smiling and the person took it down. The person was no one else but Adam, and as he took the camera down, he smiled at me and gestured to not tell anyone he was here. I nodded and he rushed off. "What are you doing?" Philipp asked me in confusion but I just shook it off and smiled.
After 90 minutes of waiting we were allowed to finally go inside. To my surprise, the pop-up was just a tiny corner, located inside a bar in Camden Town. And it was stressful. Because of the little space with too many people inside. I got myself the limited T-Shirt for £30, not getting the coin (which I truly regret). But in the end I spent more than £200 lol.
And in the evening, being at the arena, it just felt like home... I hoped that III would come back. I didn't see the posts of him, or the new masks that were made by Lani. I didn't know anything.
Lets just skip Health (even though they were incredible, fuck, I love them)...
As Vessel came onto the stage, the melody of Chokehold buzzing in my ears, my back still killing me, I felt the tears streaming down. I was here, united with the boys.
And before the second part started, I could spot a red spot, moving and dancing around like a goofball. And then I realized that he was back. III was back. And I glanced over to IV and II, admiring them as well, I noticed that something was different. From the very distance it was hard to say but... I saw the new masks. Wow.
The ritual went on, I got to hear Dark Signs live for the first time, the growlings of IV during Vore made me sob as well. Everything was just... perfect.
But after quite a while, it was dark. And silent. I started to worry. The boys were not on stage. Where are they? It doesn't take that long, when they take a little break.
And then the lights went on again. The crowd cheered, but.... nothing. A little while later, Sam and Vessel came onto the stage. I was scared. Was it Ves who wanted to say something to us? Since it was Wembley? Did he need Sam as his emotional support? What was it? Were they about to cancel the rest of the ritual?
"Hey guys. How is it going?" Sam spoke, my hands, recording, slightly shaking.
"So... Vessel can't sing but you guys can." Sam continued. Telling us, while the poor soul of Vessel was standing next to him, wiggling nervously, he was sick and couldn't sing because he was not well. Fucking hell. At this time I wanted to run down and just scream it would be alright. That Vessel was loved. I could see from the distance he was tense. Nervous. Anxious. After Sam was done, he hugged Vessel tightly. And damn, Vessel needed this.
As they walked off the stage again, I heard someone saying "What is that kind of fucking bullshit?" That guy was bothering me ever since he said it. And trust me when I say he made it worse.
But I wanted to do my personal best. For Vessel. For the boys in general. My body hurt, I had an entire emotional rollercoaster going on inside me. But they needed us, they needed me. As much as I needed them.
And ... The Summoning came up. The lights were incredible. We sang it. We sang this song for Vessel. Next to Granite and The Love You Want. And seeing Vessel singing the last notes of TLYW with us and then breaking down, sobbing... Holy shit. It killed me.
But second mental kill was Atlantic. I recorded everything. And... I lost my words for a while. I sang... with him, and broke down into tears. Of sadness that was consuming me. The desperate signs of me missing someone I loved so much, breaking down with Vessel together... but... after Atlantic he went on with Nazareth (Vessel, excuse me!? Are you kidding me!?). Dude, I was shocked. Don't get me wrong but... that was the biggest twist ever. That is all I can and will say.
The lightshow was insane as always. The dancers during TLYW, and Rain... wow.
Oh Ascensionism, my beloved. It was so beautiful... but this one guy ruined everything. He never stood up... but then he did, during Ascensionism... and before that he was complaining that he "didn't sign up for a karaoke event".
Fucking bullocks.
Take Me Back To Eden... it was beautiful. Vessel, on his knees, singing his lungs out as much as he could.
And after I thought it was over when they finished The Offering... Vessel came back. Standing at his piano.
And it felt like he wanted to give us something.
For the first time being... I looked at him, nervous.
But all he did was sobbing and choking out two single words...
"Thank you... Thank you." And he started playing the notes for Blood Sport.
Blood Sport. A song I always am crying to.
But... Vessel. Hearing his words without a voice changer, expressing his gratitude for everyone. His second one was barely hearable because he was crying a lot.
Gosh. What a moment.
I sang along, with him, tears in my eyes, sobbing, shaking.
And breaking down when it was over. When everyone came to do their goodbye, it was hard to let them go. I didn't know what to do. Instead, I sat down, my body aching in pain and crying a lot. Feeling the sadness washing over me, the gratitude I have for the boys, every emotion flodded me.
And all I can say...
Wembley was amazing. Vessel and the boys did everything to make this night unforgettable.
Even though I cried, yelled, screamed, laughed and was in pain...
This collective had my back. As they always do.
Thanks to them I got new friends. My second home.
Thank you guys for being here.
And thank you Sleep Token, thank you Vessel, II, III and IV for everything.
I will join you, no matter what will happen next.
Until our paths meet again.
You are so loved.
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Thank you to everyone who read this.
I will add some extra links to another post of Wembley here. It will contain some pictures and videos from this night.
Special thanks to @fivewholeminutes and @thevenomousseprent ... two Tumblr cuties that I got the honor to meet and spend time with for the first time ever. I love you. So much.
Off-Tumblr people but worth mentioning: Thank you to Alina who bought the tickets. You are a gem. And thank you Philipp for doing this by being so casual about it (and also buying the groceries for me on Monday before you flew back home).
Have a lovely Wembley anniversary day everyone.
Love, Lia.
(Wembley archive #1 and #2 – Video and photos taken by vesselsscarlet, please give credit if you want to use/repost them! ©vesselsscarlet)
