Nearly any musician will admit that, once they walk into a recording studio or onto a stage, they are consumed by an alter-ego or heightened identity. The character they maintain in their day-to-day life may be overshadowed by this artistic persona. Yet some artists choose to take this practice a step further donning not just a metaphorical mask, but a physical one.
Many popular artists in today’s music scene are iconic for the masks they wear on stage. Rock artists such as Slipknot and Sleep Token have become synonymous with individualistic masks and anonymous qualities that coincide specifically with each band member’s distinct personality. Some artists, such as heavy metal titans Ghost and Gwar, play theatrical characters onstage that further the impact of these masks.
However, the concept of the masked musician is not a new one. Of course, masks have always been key props for performance art. Ancient Greek theater performers wore masks and costumes to bring characters to life. In 14th century France, attendees of masquerade balls were encouraged to dance and convey anonymity.
Cut to modern day and masked performers — specifically in popular music — are not as rare as one might think. Perhaps the first known example of the modern masked singer is 1950s rockabilly singer Jerry Lott. More popularly known by his stage name, The Phantom, Lott had a relatively short-lived career as a recording artist, but his reputation for wearing a mask while performing on stage impacted modern music for many more years to follow.
In the 1960s, rock artist Arthur Brown rose to fame, establishing a reputation due to his shocking and flamboyant stage presence and, of course, his habit of donning face paint when he performed. However, in the next decade to follow, there would be another artist that would become an incredible household name, sparking controversy for their face makeup, on-stage personas, and pyro-heavy performances.
When KISS broke onto the scene, all four members of KISS became known for the face makeup they constantly wore both on and off stage. For years, nobody knew the true identities of KISS. Each band member crafted their own character and coinciding face paint to match their true personalities: Paul Stanley was The Starchild, Gene Simmons was The Demon, Ace Frehley was The Spaceman and Peter Criss was The Cat. (Gene Simmons has famously recalled walking through the crowd of a KISS concert during the 1970s, and not a single fan recognized him sans makeup.)
In the 1980s, the concept of anonymous or masked musicians might have dwindled completely had it not been for the formation of heavy metal group Gwar. Known for their controversial (and bloody) live shows and shocking sense of humor, Gwar members not only wear masks but always take the stage wearing full alien-monster costumes.
The 1990s continued to see a resurgence of masked artists in both hard rock and pop music scenes. Heavy metal group Slipknot took the rock world by the throat, bringing a hard-hitting musicality forward as each member wore their own unique face mask. Alternatively, the electronic duo Daft Punk formed, helping bring forward the concept of anonymous musical performers into the 21st century.
Today, the concept of masked musicians is no longer strictly for shocking theatrics or heavy music. While the most popular masked artists in music’s current scene might arguably be Sleep Token or Ghost, musicians of all genres now choose to wear a mask. Country icon Orville Peck is famous for his masked identity, and Sia has become just as well-known for her hit pop anthems as she has for her signature eye-shielding wigs.
However, the question that music listeners might think to ask themselves is, why do their favorite musicians try to hide their faces in the first place? The truth is, there isn’t one strict answer.
Many times, musicians will choose to take on a masked persona to coincide with the lore they have established for their band. With the aforementioned Sleep Token, KISS and Ghost, these bands are theatrical both in their stage presence and their lore. While Ghost’s idea of a Satanic anti-pope trying to take over the world and gather devoted followers through their tongue-in-cheek metal anthems is a rich enough idea, there’s no denying that having the lead singer and every band member attempt to take on a new (or no) identity adds to this story.
Other times, musicians remain anonymous for just that reason. Sia has stated that she first wore a disguising wig not only to add a flare of mystery to her artistry but also because she wanted to maintain a level of privacy and keep a sense of separation when it came to her music and her personal life.
Artists can also choose to wear a mask because it coincides with a musician’s artistic beliefs. Korean-American indie pop musician BoyWithUke went viral on TikTok in 2021 both due to his powerful songwriting and his signature LED-lit mask he wore. In interviews, BoyWithUke said he wore the mask so that listeners could appreciate him for his art, not for the way he looks.
However, if there’s one thing that all masked musicians have in common, it’s that the mask never lasts forever. When the ‘80s began, hair metal and arena rock took over the radio stations, and KISS removed their makeup to keep up with the changing times. BoyWithUke, who eventually revealed himself to be Charley Yang, admitted that the mask he wore eventually began to negatively impact his mental health.
While many artists have the privilege to choose whether they want to maintain their privacy, some artists have had this choice taken away from them. After fans began doxxing the members of Sleep Token, leaking the band’s identities and even their home addresses to the Internet, Sleep Token eventually took a break from social media and their listeners. While wearing a mask does add a mysterious excitement to a musician’s artistry, today’s often rabid Internet culture has proven that this artistic choice may not always be 100% in the artist’s control.
Now more than ever, masks are a metaphorical concept more than anything else — even when the artist still chooses to wear a physical disguise. Many artists still wear masks despite the whole world knowing their true identity, and music now holds a broader definition of what’s considered a mask. While pop sensation Chappell Roan doesn’t wear anything that hides her face or keeps her anonymous, she has been vocal about how she considers her makeup looks and musical identity to be a drag persona.
It’s undeniable that a hidden performer might be more enticing than one we can see at face value. In other words, many listeners may find an anonymous musician more relatable than an artist whose fans are able to know everything about. Masks help to fuel and create memorable characters, whether these figures may be found in music, film, or other mediums. In a way, we all wear some kind of mask.
If you want to read more from our February issue, you can read the full issue online or purchase a print copy while supplies last.
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