Two weeks ago While She Sleeps released their monumental new single ‘Sleeps Society’ marking the start of an exciting new chapter of sustainable self-management and unique community engagement. The track was a love letter to all their fans and music lovers in general, but also hit right at the heart of all current issues within the global music industry, criticising streaming service’s monetization systems, complicated relationship with labels and publishers, and the government’s lack of support for artists, touring teams and live venue crews.
The proposed solution came in a Patreon-run online membership system where people can pay for monthly subscription in four different tiers, and get exclusive content and special access to tickets, merch and most of the band’s activities. The so called Sleeps Society seemed like an interesting idea but surely had lots of doubters and critics. Now, two weeks later, the Sheffield crew have shared an exclusive update of the phenomenal response and initial support from their fans that have ralied and more than smashed the 500-subscribers target to reach a staggering 2190 members and counting.
The initial reception of the track, and the feedback of While She Sleeps’ sustainable business model have been overwhelmingly positive across all social media channels and media outlets. Some of the most popular YouTube reaction channels such as Nik Nocturnal, Hard Core, METALBIRB and Hoopsick have immediately jumped on board and supported the cause, alongside many of the of the leading metal bands in the UK. As seen in the above video desctiption, While She Sleeps are truly grateful to all of the support and promised that “content within the Society is coming in full force and [they] haven’t even scratched the surface yet!“.
The last couple of weeks have more than exceeded any of the band members’ expectations and are already proving to be hugely beneficial. As it is, getting the 2000+ subscribers have helped While She Sleeps hire in some of their touring crew which in itself is a phenomenal progress considering the difficult situatuon all workers in the live entertainment indsutry are finding themselves in the COVID-19 crisis, especially with a second nation-wide lockdown on the line. The fans’ support also goes towards the recording and production of the band’s new record, with bits of the process being available to members of the their Patreon Society.
So far, members of the Sleeps Society have received loads of special perks including warm-up lessons and vocal tutorials from singer Lawrence Taylor, exclusive peak at new tracks, teasers for the new album, podcast and upcoming merch. There is also a Discord community set up within the membership where fans share instrumental covers, art ideas, photos or simply hang out with fellow like-minded people.
The official Sleeps Society Patreon membership starts from £4.99 for Support member and carry on with £7.99 for Defiance member, £19.99 for limited Mutiny member with only 6 remaining at present. Incredibly, the £59.99 top level Revolution Membership has already sold out – a clear evidence that the system works and fans should not be underestimated.
Moreover, most of the early bird tickets were purchased upon their release, and in some cases shows from While She Sleeps’ 2021 tour dates have completely sold out, forcing more events to be added. As it is, the band is playing three shows at The Key Club in Leeds, and another three in Camden’s Underworld due to popular demand, some of these exclusive for members of the Sleeps Society.
All dates for While She Sleeps UK shows can be seen below, with tickets available here:
02/05/2021 – Stereo – Glasgow
03/05 – Stereo – Glasgow
06/05 – O2 Academy – Leicester
07/05 – Asylum – Birmingham
08/05 – Hobos – Bridgend
09/05 – Hobos – Bridgend
12/05 – The Key – Leeds
13/05 – The Key – Leeds
14/05 – The Key – Leeds
17/05 – Underworld – London
18/05 – Underworld – London
19/05 – Underworld – London
23/05 – Chalk – Brighton
