Category: News

A24’s first-ever movie-musical, D*cks: The Musical has shown to be one of the buzziest of the year. An early review of the film by Vanity Fair described the films songs as “legitimate toe-tappers.” Tonight (October 6), Megan Thee Stallion has shared with us the latest taste of the film’s promising cast recording — a women-empowering anthem called “Out Alpha The Alpha.”

On “Out Alpha The Alpha,” a song sung from the perspective of Meg’s movie character Gloria Masters, she assembles an all-women militia to dismantle the patriarchy, pushing all male citizens aside as the women take over.

“They say, ‘Boys will be boys,’ man, what a crock of sh*t / These men, they hold all the cards, it makes me wanna sp*t / They always f*ckin’ sh*t up, they’re always makin’ a mess / But I’ma tell you the secret to my success,” raps Meg on the song’s opening verse, before she is joined by a triumphant choir, as they slay a male-dominated workforce.

You can listen to “Out Alpha The Alpha” above.

D*cks: The Musical is in select theaters now, and premieres nationwide 10/20.

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music Artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Artist.

Imagine spending every day exploring wondrous locations, eating expertly crafted meals, enjoying year-round indulgence … could there be anything better?

Taking a lifelong cruise might sound like something out of a dream, and an unrealistic one at that. But leaving the land behind and adopting a seafaring lifestyle is now more attainable than ever.

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By 2024, cruise line Storylines will launch a 741-foot ship dubbed the MV Narrative, a huge vessel containing 547 fully furnished rooms available for purchase or lease.

The cruise will definitely be the stuff of luxury, with its high-end spas, movie theater, yoga sun deck, state-of-the-art fitness center, art studio … it even has a bowling alley, for crying out loud. But being a “residential community at sea,” there will also be things like a library, post office, school and bank.

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Perhaps the funnest part—in addition to extended stays in exotic locations—residents will have a say in where the vessel goes. “What a typical cruise line might do in one month or three weeks, we will take three to four months to do,” Storylines founder and CEO Alister Punton told CNN Travel, adding that the residents “have opportunities to have input into where the ship goes next.” These “residents choice” days allow those on board to choose the ports of call.

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Is MV Narrative the only residential ship to sail the seven seas? No. The World has offered residential living since 2002, according to The Real Deal. Other lines, like Utopia and Victoria Cruises, also offer an all-inclusive lifestyle.

However, it could be the most eco-friendly. Travel and Leisure noted that the ship will run on clean-burning liquid gas and have a zero-waste farmers market selling local products. “We will definitely be the greenest cruise ship out there,” Punton shared with CNN Travel.

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Travel and Leisure states the MV Narrative’s current listing price range from $1 million to $8 million to own, with a small number of 24-year leases available from $600,000, which works out to around $25,000 per year.

Of course, if you were to forgo any homeownership and chose instead to live the life of a nomad, a lifelong cruise could be an even cheaper and more accessible option. Earlier this year, retired couple Angelyn and Richard Burk made headlines by fulfilling their travel dreams of hopping from ship to ship … all for around $36,000. Yep, less than an average mortgage. It’s no wonder why this is such a popular trend for adventurous folks of retirement age.

This might be because people are attracted to having both adventure and the comfort of home, which Storylines provides. “At the end of a long day discovering a new exotic location, they can come home to friends and familiar surroundings and sleep in their own bed,” Storylines co-founder, Shannon Lee, wrote in an email to Travel and Leisure.

What a time to be alive, when you can travel the world and never leave home.

This article originally appeared on 08.18.22

A TikTokker named Peli Roja (redhead in Spanish) runs a doggie daycare in the Boston, Massachusetts, area where she cares for an adorable group of four-legged friends. Her super-sweet videos have earned her nearly 350,000 followers, and a recent video is so sweet it’s received over 13 million views.

In the video, the dogs dramatically change their facial expressions after being told they’re a “good boy.” They go from having resting dog faces to appearing to be proud and happy. The video has undoubtedly brought smiles to millions of human faces, and it’s a great reminder to tell your dog they’re a “good boy” or “good girl” whenever you can.

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The clip comes with a caption that reads: “Puppies before and after being told that they’re a good boy/girl.”

@peli.roja.pets

Compliments make Ruby shy 🥺 #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #dog #dogs #dogsoftiktok #puppy #puppies #puppiesoftiktok #dogdaycare #doggydaycare #dogdaycaresoftiktok #trending #viral #CapCut

While some might say that the dog’s response just mirrors the human’s excitement, studies show that dogs understand when we praise them. Scientists in Hungary did MRI scans on dogs and then played their owners praising them or using neutral terms, and the dogs could tell the difference.

The implication is that dogs may be able to understand what we say and not just how we say it.

The study “shows that dogs are capable of identifying strings of phonemes that form meaningful speech commands, rather than solely relying on the command’s intonation,” David Reby, a psychologist at the University of Sussex, told Smithsonian. “It does not, however, mean that dogs are capable of understanding human language.”

Drake‘s eighth studio album, For All The Dogs is almost here. He is dropping the anticipated album tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. EST with very little promotion — only a slight tease in his poetry book and a reveal of the album artwork drawn by his son, Adonis. Additionally, he shared a video yesterday morning for a song called “8AM In Charlotte,” in which, Adonis makes a cameo — and he’s previously shared “Slime You Out,” a collaboration with his once-lover, SZA.

Today (October 6), Drake took to Instagram to reveal the tracklist, just hours before the album is scheduled to drop. While Drake is known for his collabs, the tracklist does not reveal any featured artists. Perhaps he is pulling a Travis Scott, who didn’t reveal the collabs on his fourth album Utopia until after its official drop.

So far, we do know that SZA will appear on “Slime You Out,” but your guess is as good as ours, regarding the others.

You can see the For All The Dogs tracklist below.

1. “Virginia Beach”
2. “Amen”
3. “Calling For You”
4. “Fear Of Heights”
5. “Daylight”
6. “First Person Shooter”
7. “IDGAF”
8. “7969 Santa”
9. “Slime You Out” Feat. SZA
10. “Bahamas Promises”
11. “Tried Our Best”
12. “Screw The World Interlude”
13. “Members Only”
14. “Drew A Picasso”
15. “What Would Pluto Do.”
16. “All The Parties”
17. “8AM In Charlotte”
18. “BBL Love Interlude”
19. “Gently”
20. “Rich Baby Daddy”
21. “Another Late Night”
22. “Away From Home”
23. “Polar Opposites”

Last year, GloRilla‘s life changed after years of putting in hard work. Before making a breakthrough with hits like “F.N.F (Let’s Go)” and “Tomorrow 2,” she worked various part-time jobs. However, she admitted that those jobs didn’t always work out.

In an interview with HipHopDX taken at the 2023 BET Hip-Hop Awards, the Memphis rapper revealed that she once got fired from a job for singing a deep cut by one of her favorite artists.

Glo shared that she worked at Amazon, Walmart, and Nike, but her first love was always music. She always had fun on the job, however, Glo noted that having fun while working these gigs would often result in her getting fired.

“Me and my friend, [rapper] Gloss Up, we were singin’ a Beyoncé song and we got fired from Nike,” she said.

The song in question was “Dance For You” from Bey’s 2011 album, 4. And while she may have gotten terminated from the job, it wasn’t a total L for Glo. Elsewhere in the interview, she revealed that she attended three shows on Beyoncé’s critically-acclaimed Renaissance World Tour this year.

It’s safe to say that Glo’s pre-fame work experiences didn’t break her soul.

You can see the interview above.

Drake‘s eighth studio album, For All The Dogs is almost here. He is dropping the anticipated album tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. EST with very little promotion — only a slight tease in his poetry book and a reveal of the album artwork drawn by his son, Adonis. Additionally, he shared a video yesterday morning for a song called “8AM In Charlotte,” in which, Adonis makes a cameo — and he’s previously shared “Slime You Out,” a collaboration with his once-lover, SZA.

Today (October 6), Drake took to Instagram to reveal the tracklist, just hours before the album is scheduled to drop. While Drake is known for his collabs, the tracklist does not reveal any featured artists. Perhaps he is pulling a Travis Scott, who didn’t reveal the collabs on his fourth album Utopia until after its official drop.

So far, we do know that SZA will appear on “Slime You Out,” but your guess is as good as ours, regarding the others.

You can see the For All The Dogs tracklist below.

1. “Virginia Beach”
2. “Amen”
3. “Calling For You”
4. “Fear Of Heights”
5. “Daylight”
6. “First Person Shooter”
7. “IDGAF”
8. “7969 Santa”
9. “Slime You Out” Feat. SZA
10. “Bahamas Promises”
11. “Tried Our Best”
12. “Screw The World Interlude”
13. “Members Only”
14. “Drew A Picasso”
15. “What Would Pluto Do.”
16. “All The Parties”
17. “8AM In Charlotte”
18. “BBL Love Interlude”
19. “Gently”
20. “Rich Baby Daddy”
21. “Another Late Night”
22. “Away From Home”
23. “Polar Opposites”

Week 4 was an adventure in the NFL world, and that includes this space. Sunday’s slate was very friendly to us with a 3-0 mark. Thursday was hideous (Green Bay) and Monday was gross (New York) but, hey, it’s a winning week. The arrival of Week 5 means bye weeks and shortened schedules, making it a bigger challenge to find five games. Still, we press on.

Before we get to the picks, let’s take stock through 20 selections.

• Week 4: 3-2
• 2023 Season: 10-8-2

Come get these winners.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+5.5) over Buffalo Bills — Widely Available

Taking Jacksonville here is a bit of an experiment. We actually won bets with both of these teams a week ago (hurray), but it’s tough to get to Buffalo -5.5 on a neutral field in London. From there, Jacksonville stayed overseas all week, potentially creating an advantage, and Buffalo’s win over Miami got a ton of attention. This may still be a buy-low spot on Jacksonville.

TEASER: Indianapolis Colts (+8.5) over Tennessee Titans and New York Jets (+8.5) over Denver Broncos — Widely Available

This is plainly hideous. Everyone can see that. It’s also a pair of valuable teaser legs given that both are crossing two keys against limited opponents. Indianapolis has the added benefit of playing at home against a thoroughly uninspiring Tennessee offense with a total of 43. New York is facing a potentially intriguing Denver offense, but the Broncos have been hideous on defense and this is also a game with a total in the low-to-mid 40’s. Here we go.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+4.5) over Baltimore Ravens — Widely Available

There are some situations that I’m just going to blindly bet. Mike Tomlin as a home underdog is one of them. Tomlin is 17-5-3 as a home underdog in his Pittsburgh tenure, and the numbers for either team getting points in Steelers-Ravens matchups are also staggering. Pittsburgh is absolutely awful on offense and got rocked by Houston last week. That probably bumped this number up a touch and we’ll take the candy at home.

New England Patriots (+1) over New Orleans Saints — FanDuel, DraftKings

New England is in real peril right now. Last week’s performance against Dallas was gross. The Patriots lost two key defenders to injury. Mac Jones got (rightly) benched. It’s all gross. That pushes this number all the way through the zero and to +1 at the time of this post, and that is an overcorrection. I’m not entirely sure the Patriots are better than the Saints, or even that the two teams are equal. I do think that the Patriots should not be getting a point at home against the current version of New Orleans.

Dallas Cowboys (+4) over San Francisco 49ers — Caesars

I make this game San Francisco -2.5. I wouldn’t play it at a flat 3, but I’d consider at 3.5 and, at 4 like Caesars has when this column is posted, I like Dallas. I think they can keep the 49ers in check and do enough to keep it tight or potentially win on the field.

Ed Sheeran is known to plan ahead. This year, he’s strategically released two albums — Subtract and Autumn Variations — and has a collaborative album with J Balvin already mapped out for 2024. But outside of music, Sheeran appears to have the trajectory of his life mapped out, right to his final resting place.

In an interview with GQ, Sheeran revealed that he has his own grave already plotted in his own backyard.

This confirmation comes after rumors circulated last year that Sheeran had a crypt built onto his estate.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a crypt,” Sheeran said. “It’s a hole that’s dug in the ground with a bit of stone over it, so whenever the day comes and I pass away, I get to go in there. People think it’s really weird and really morbid, but I’ve had friends die without wills, and no one knows what to do.”

Last week, Sheeran released his sixth solo studio album, Autumn Variations, with no singles or videos — simply as a passion project for the fall. After all, he’s certainly earned the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Ed Sheeran is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Uproxx 2023 Fall Travel Hot List is live! Visit here for the full experience!

Boulder, Colorado: home to Mork and Mindy, a deep history of progressive politics, a totally outsized number of professional athletes, gorgeous mountain vistas, and now – Coach Prime. As a relatively longtime resident of Boulder, it’s been exciting to see the enthusiasm around town since Deion Sanders made his coaching debut. Just in the last few weeks, College Game Day, SportsCenter, Big Noon Kickoff, First Take, Pat McAfee, and even 60 Minutes all broadcast from Boulder for a game that saw Lil Wayne take the field, The Rock on the sidelines, and Offset in the student section – to name a few high profile fans.

In a city of just over 100,000 people, to say the city is feeling electric these days would be an understatement. Friends from all over the country are clamoring to visit and try to get a piece of the action at a game (if they can afford the steep resale ticket prices) or to get in the mix downtown and hike in the legendary Flatirons.

While Boulder will always be a tourist attraction – football or not – I knew this would be the right time to rethink my Boulder recommendations for anyone planning an upcoming visit. Fall is possibly the best time to stroll through the town named “The Happiest City in The USA” and “Best Place To Live In The Nation” countless times.

Titles that I can, of course, only agree with. Here are my picks for your next visit:

WHERE TO EAT:

LEAF VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

When I moved to Boulder several years ago, I was a vegetarian (and somehow continued to be for several more years). However, even now that I’ve opened my diet to almost anything, I still crave Leaf. And I’m not the only one; many people I’ve taken to Leaf are nowhere near vegetarians but cannot get enough of the unique flavors. For brunch, I love the Egg Sandwich. For happy hour, I switch between the Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos and Vegan Crab Cake Slider (always with a side of mixed fries). For dinner, I love experimenting – the Jamaican Jerk Tempeh and Orange Cauliflower are both solid options. The atmosphere is chic and airy, with a great patio and cocktails.

SPRUCE FARM AND FISH

Spruce Farm and Fish is a bit of an anomaly. Despite its excellent location in the Hotel Boulderado, I find it mostly a local spot for dinner and drinks. Many of my friends who have spent decades in Boulder consistently return for top-notch service, ambiance, creative cocktails, and, of course, great food. On my last visit, I tried the oft-recommended Rocky Mountain Trout, which did not disappoint. I paired it with a Hibiscus Haze cocktail made with Breckenridge Gin, hibiscus simple syrup, St~Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and lemon. Followed by an espresso martini for “dessert.” Whether you’re a local or visitor, staying at the Hotel Boulderado or down the street, Spruce is a must on your foodie Boulder bucket list.

BASTA

A new favorite is Basta, a wood-fired Italian restaurant that Michelin Guide just recognized as a Bib Gourmand — a restaurant with “good value, good quality cooking.” Unassumingly tucked away in an apartment complex outside the city center, my first trip to Basta was extraordinarily memorable and won’t be my last. The shishito peppers were somehow different than any I’ve had, the Roberto pizza is the best in town (with honey and Calabrian chili), and the half chicken was perfectly cooked.

SANTO

I often describe the Boulder vibe to others by explaining that the place I stop to get coffee in the morning is a restaurant whose executive chef and owner is a previous winner of Top Chef. Boulder is packed with interesting and accomplished people, and that’s evident in the food scene. While I often grab a coffee and a delicious veggie breakfast burrito, Santo shines at all mealtimes. The New Mexican-inspired cuisine is classic and modern, with local and seasonal elements that put it at the top of my list any day or time.

ROSETTA HALL

Food halls are popping up all over the United States as incubators of sorts for upcoming chefs to launch their food businesses. One of my perennial favorites is Rosetta Hall in Boulder. Located just one block off Pearl St., the eight restaurants and two bars offer something for everyone. Whether I stop in the morning at Gracia for craft coffee and pastries or later for happy hour on the rooftop with a cocktail and some Middle Eastern cuisine from Amira, I am always satisfied. Head to Rosetta Hall for live music every Tuesday, DJs every Thursday – Saturday, and lounge music on the rooftop on Sunday afternoons.

STELLA’S CUCINA

Stella’s Cucina is one of the newest and most intriguing restaurants in Boulder. Owned by Boulder local Stella Spanu, the immersive dining experience takes inspiration from her Italian heritage to create incredible food while still incorporating ingredients from Colorado farms. Chef Filippo has created a truly remarkable menu that I have loved working my way through, all in the art deco-inspired speakeasy-vibe upscale surrounds. After dinner on weekends, the sleek bar and restaurant are transformed into a dancefloor and lounge where patrons can enjoy wine from the extensive list or a craft cocktail from the round bar.

GOLD HILL INN

While Gold Hill Inn isn’t technically in Boulder proper, it is a short – and jaw-droppingly beautiful – ten-mile drive up to the historic mountain Inn and Restaurant. There is no way to reach Gold Hill that isn’t via a dirt road, but you’ll be rewarded handsomely for making the trek to 8,300 ft above sea level. The building, which dates back to 1872, is part of a surprisingly thriving community of just 218 people – with not just the restaurant but a lodge (only rentable as a whole), music venue, general store, and oldest continually operating school in Colorado in the historic mining settlement.

Dine on the seasonally changing six or three-course meals in the dining room (make reservations!) or outside in the beer garden for a more casual atmosphere and likely live music.

DRINK:

SPRUCE CONFECTIONS

On West Pearl Street lies my favorite neighborhood coffee shop: Spruce Confections. When I’m in town, I will likely be here every morning with a whole cast of other regular characters. The pastries are next level, the lavender latte always hits the spot, and the location and outdoor seating area are divine. Come on a Sunday morning for live music from the aptly named Espresso! swing and jazz band – a tradition that has lasted 20-odd years.

SILVER VINES WINERY

If you’ve read any of my other travelogues here at UPROXX or seen any photo of me pretty much anywhere, you know I like my wine. So I was ecstatic when Silver Vines Winery, based in nearby Arvada, opened a downtown Boulder tasting room. I generally stick with my favorite dry rosé while people-watching between pages of a book scored from a nearby Little Free Library or the palatial Boulder Bookstore. The family-owned operation makes and bottles their wine with some grapes from Colorado’s Palisade region, along with others procured from around the country.

AVANTI FOOD & BEVERAGE

Avanti F&B‘s Denver food hall location is known for its epic skyline views, so when they expanded into Boulder, I expected nothing less than a rooftop – and they delivered. With what I consider the best view in town, Avanti has quickly become a staple for drinks and food for visitors and locals alike. Head up the glass elevator to the rooftop bar to watch the sunset or a CU game with a view.

BOULDER DUSHANBE TEAHOUSE

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse has been a staple since its opening in 1987. A gift from sister city Dushanbe in what is now Tajikistan, forty artisans crafted the elaborate teahouse for two years, then shipped it piece by piece in around 200 crates to Boulder to be reassembled. It is an artistic masterpiece, to be sure, but the tea and cocktails are also worth a stop. I love the Mula Mágica, made with hibiscus-infused tequila, white tea, Colorado ginger beer, and lime.

THE CORNER BAR

The Corner Bar at the Hotel Boulderado has been one of my long-time happy hour favorites. I’ve heard it was a past hang-out for the beat poets who spent time in town (Boulder is home to the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University, after all), and I’d like to think their creativity is somehow still rubbing off on me here. Located on what I’d consider to be the best people-watching corner in town, head to The Corner Bar for happy hour drinks and truffle fries or some Cab Steak and Fries for dinner with an incredible sunset view.

SLEEP:

HOTEL BOULDERADO

The first luxury hotel in Boulder, the Hotel Boulderado – a combination of “Boulder” and “Colorado” – opened on New Year’s Day in 1909. Since then, it has been a Boulder landmark, with luxurious Victorian rooms, many original antiques, and an impressive stained glass canopy above the striking lobby. I love feeling like I’ve stepped back into another time, staying at this ideally located hotel, dining at the bar or restaurant, or heading underground to License No. 1 — a speakeasy-style bar that was the first in town to receive a liquor license after prohibition.

ST. JULIEN HOTEL AND SPA

I have spent many a stay-cation night at the St. Julien Hotel and Spa in downtown Boulder. The luxurious property has stunning mountain views, incredible service, a full-service spa, a delicious restaurant, a pool area, and – my favorite – arguably the best happy hour deal in town. The rooms are luxe and modern, with many offering unparalleled flatiron views. You can often find live music on the patio while you sip a glass of wine and dine on the famous “Jills Tots.”

EXPLORE:

PEARL ST. PEDESTRIAN MALL

The four-block pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder is without question, the heart of the city. It is always hopping with ample shopping, restaurants, buskers, street art, and festivals. Known as the “Outdoor Apparel Rodeo Drive,” you can find any outdoor gear you can imagine between the tarot readers and magicians dotting the vibrant area.

CHAUTAUQUA PARK

The only Chautauqua west of the Mississippi continuing operation since the 1920s, this historic district is a must-stop for visitors and locals alike. If you’ve ever seen a photo of Boulder, it was likely taken in front of the imposing Flatirons at Chautauqua. Hike, climb, picnic, enjoy a meal at the Dining Hall, ice cream from the General Store, or a show in the auditorium. There are even short-term rental cabins available here. Stay for sunset if you can.

MOUNT SANITAS

For a (slightly) less crowded but still accessible hiking experience, I always point visitors to the foothills’ Mount Sanitas and Red Rock Trail area. I love hiking Red Rocks Trail – easily accessed from West Pearl St., and continuing to Mount Sanitas to the (challenging) summit or along Dakota Ridge or Sanitas Valley Trail.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

So, Rocky Mountain National Park is not in Boulder, but at just over 38 miles away, you should take the opportunity to visit if you’re in town. Secure a vehicle-timed entry reservation and drive along Trail Ridge Road, then Bear Lake Corridor, making stops to hike around the famous Bear Lake and maybe up to Emerald Lake or Lake Haiyaha.

While music festivals were given a ton of grace as we made our way out of the pandemic’s initial phase of closures and shutdowns, large-scale events have (generally) returned to their old self for a couple of years. And while tons of fests are operating as ever before — the Coachellas and Lollapaloozas of the world — it doesn’t take much searching to note that festivals seem to be going wrong at a higher clip. Sometimes it is our rapidly devolving environment at play for weather-related issues, other times it is just greed or poor planning.

But, Ohana Festival isn’t in either of those buckets. Ohana lives in a world free of the typical festival narratives, thanks largely to its artist-curated origins (Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder is the festival’s guiding force) and its family-focused ethos (this applies to both the amount of kids that were running around the grounds AND to the vibe from the bands on stage, which welcomed collaboration and camaraderie, with Connecticut jammers Goose even noting that they felt welcomed as a part of the Ohana family with their performance). It helps that its location — Dana Point, CA, right at the intersection of Orange and San Diego County — also feels somewhat isolated and untouched by the outside world, with those fortunate enough to be local to the area enjoying a life of big homes, ocean views, temperate weather, and great surfing.

That mix of having someone known for his thoughtfulness in everything he puts his name on at the helm and a clientele that is expecting a certain level of quality for their buck is likely the driving factor behind the core tenant of Ohana: being just a little bit better of an experience than most other music festivals. A lot of that has to do with ease. There is no designated parking on site for the festival, but they’ve created a highly convenient and easy shuttle system at a local school, coupled with the ability of some to just park at the beach like they normally would for a day at Doheny. Once entering the festival, fans can note that they don’t have to worry about missing any of the music, with two side-by-side stages that alternate between acts for no overlap. And even if you don’t want to move to the other stage, the screens on both stages show whatever is currently happening (even if it is on the other stage) while speakers blast the music, with additional screens in VIP, in the food court, and even in some of the lounge areas. It’s such a simple move that makes a huge difference, it is strange that more festivals don’t incorporate it.

In addition to some of the standard festival eats — shout out Spicy Pie — there were charcuterie stations that served adorable little cups of meats and cheeses in case fans didn’t want kettle corn or soft pretzels. A Storytellers stage — one of the few places not pumping out the music from the main stages — saw a parade of community leaders discussing topics largely centering on environmental activism, a topic dear to Vedder’s heart and particularly relevant considering the beach setting. Even things like the official merch felt more thoughtful and abundant than a typical festival.

And then, of course, there is the booking. Skewing a tad older than the top-tier American festivals, Ohana Festival’s 2023 edition was headlined by Vedder, The Killers, and Foo Fighters, with direct subheadliners of Haim, The Chicks, and The Pretenders showing that some real thought is put into gender parity. Other artists, which included Japanese Breakfast, Father John Misty, Goose, The War On Drugs, The Backseat Lovers, Dehd, and Suki Waterhouse, kept the festival from leaning too hard into artists whose commercial peaks were decades ago, believing that the mature audience is still interested in discovering new things that might connect to their already established tastes.

And while there were many standout moments — I need to shout out Goose one more time, a band that managed to carve their set down by 2/3rds and still show why their bridge between the indie and jam worlds is truly exciting — the weekend belonged to Vedder. He popped out on Friday to perform Tom Petty’s “The Waiting” with The Killers, and then recruited an excellent band for his solo set on Saturday, including Glen Hansard, Andrew Watt, and Josh Klinghoffer. The performance included his originals from last year’s Earthling, some Pearl Jam favorites, and an array of covers of the likes of Neil Young and The Cure. Without overly centering himself, Vedder still provided the gravity for the festival to orbit, rooting it in his own long musical tradition and extending the branches to include all the artists he invited to the event.

Curated ultimately feels like the operative word for Ohana. The music is finely tuned to what Vedder’s fans might know already and what newer stuff they might like. The food, comfort, and overall relaxed beach vibes are perfectly aligned with the community that they serve. And the willingness to go that extra 10% that many festivals are content to skip feels integral to Ohana’s staying power. If only more festivals sought to perfect themselves rather than to grow endlessly.

Check out some exclusive photos of Ohana Festival 2023 below.

Eddie Vedder

The War On Drugs

The Chicks

Goose

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.