Category: Viral

The marquee day on the NBA’s regular season calendar is finally here. For years, the league has made Christmas Day its biggest showcase of the year, and even as the NFL continues to increase its presence on Dec. 25, the NBA does what it can to put a number of marquee games on the calendar.

This year, through essentially no fault of the league’s own, the Christmas slate isn’t quite as tasty as it looked like it was going to be back when it was announced. Due to injuries, some surprisingly poor performances this year, and in the case of the Philadelphia 76ers both of those things, the NBA has a calendar packed with games that are good, but not showdowns between a pair of elite squads at the top of the standings.

The other side of this: With maybe one exception, none of these games should be outright bad. Each one is compelling in one way or another, and today, we wanted to look at what the NBA has in store for Christmas Day by ranking the games from worst to best.

5. Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (5 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

The general [gestures at everything] of this Sixers season has meant this game went from a matchup of two Eastern Conference contenders to a battle between a team scratching and clawing to make the Play-In and the defending champions. Joel Embiid and Paul George are both playing, which helps a lot in adding some excitement to this, but the stakes in this one are minimal. Maybe Philly can find its footing as the year goes on and this can turn into a very exciting first-round series, and who knows what can happen in a one-off, but with how well the Celtics are playing and how far the Sixers have to go, this game doesn’t have as much buzz as it did when the schedule makers put it all together. Still, getting to watch Jayson Tatum — who has been out of his mind this season — on a national stage should be a blast.

4. Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns (10:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

These two teams have some recent playoff history, with each team picking up a series win over the other en route to a Finals appearance (with Denver going on to win the title). But while there’s a bit of history there, these are two teams that are not firing on all cylinders at the moment, with Devin Booker’s status in question for the Suns as he deals with a groin injury, taking a bit of the intrigue out of the Christmas nightcap. Still, Nikola Jokic is playing at an insanely high level this season and is a threat to win his fourth MVP, while the Suns have been, unsurprisingly, a much better team with Kevin Durant in the lineup. As long as those two are going, there’s a chance for some fireworks and fun, and they’ll be plenty familiar with each other as their Christmas meeting will be their second game in a row facing each other.

3. Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors (8:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Who knows how many more LeBron vs. Steph games we’ll get, which is reason enough to tune in, but from a team perspective, these are two teams dragging their feet a bit in the crowded West Playoff/Play-In race. Both teams seem to be desperately in need of roster upgrades, with the Warriors much better positioned to make such a move, provided they’re willing to finally part with their best assets. The Lakers, meanwhile, are in the same position we’ve seen them in since 2021, loitering around the top of the Play-In/bottom of the Playoff seeds but lacking the depth of talent to really feel like a title threat. While these are not two of the league’s elite teams, they are right next to each other in the standings and, until a move gets made by either, feel pretty evenly matched. That could yield an exciting game, even if it may not have the league-wide stakes of the LeBron vs. Steph showdowns of old.

2. San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks (12:00 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

The NBA stuck its neck out a bit by scheduling this matchup before knowing whether the Spurs would really take a big step forward this season, but it looks like this will be an extremely fun opener to the Christmas slate. The Knicks have been an offensive juggernaut with the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns (even if a bit leakier than usual on defense), and every game with New York has the potential to be a shootout. The Spurs have been extremely solid this year with the additions of veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, with Victor Wembanyama continuing to live up to the hype as a budding superstar in the league, leading the team in just about every category other than assists (where the Point God continues to be masterful). The Spurs will need to have their A-game offensively in this one to keep pace with New York (who will, in turn, have to navigate the league’s best shot-blocker), but getting to see Wemby in the Christmas spotlight in the Garden should be very fun.

1. Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

While the Wolves have struggled this year in the aftermath of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, this is still a Western Conference Finals rematch between two teams that have aspirations of making it back there this year — of course, Dallas goes into Christmas Day in a much better position to do that. So, why is this so high? Easy: Both of these teams are led by superstars who are spectacular at playing their best ball on the biggest stage, and during the regular season, there is no bigger stage than Christmas Day. We fully expect Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards to bring their very best, and while we’re more confident that Luka will get more help, Ant is good enough to keep the Wolves in it. Can they get enough from Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and co.? Or will Doncic — along with Kyrie Irving and the rest of his supporting cast — be able to score enough against a defense that is once again among the league’s elite.

It looks like Miley Cyrus is about to have a big year in 2025.

In a new post shared on social media today (December 23), Cyrus wrote:

“HAPPY HOLIDAYS & NEW YEAR!

It’s bittersweet saying goodbye to a year that has been so good to me, but I am looking forward to starting over again. This is one of my favorite parts of not just the creative process but the way life has chosen to teach me.

In everything I do I like to go ALL the way. Give it ALL I’ve got. ALL for it to come to an end, move on and start anew. At times it can be a heartbreaking process but I’ve always known the pieces to come back together and create something beautiful.

Thank you to everyone who has been apart of making this year so special.

Sincerely, Miley.”

Some fans have noticed that Cyrus sneakily included in her post what appears to be the album title: A November feature in Harper’s Bazaar noted the project was set to be titled Something Beautiful. Cyrus said of the project, a visual album, “It’s a concept album that’s an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music. […] It was inspired by Pink Floyd’s The Wall. […] My idea was making The Wall, but with a better wardrobe and more glamorous and filled with pop culture.”

There are two NFL games on Christmas this year, and both have connections to mega-famous pop stars. First, there’s Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, although since it’s an away game for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, & Co.; Taylor Swift isn’t expected to be attendance. In the later contest, Beyoncé will be in Houston to watch her hometown Texans face the Baltimore Ravens since she’s performing during the halftime show.

The guests for “A Cowboy Carter Christmas” are still a mystery, but we do know the details on how to watch Beyoncé’s only public performance in 2024.

How To Watch Beyoncé’s Halftime Show

The easiest way is the simplest: Netflix. The game between the playoff contenders begins at 4:30 p.m. ET, so if you only care about Beyoncé, start streaming around 6 p.m. Both games will also air on broadcast TV in the competing teams’ cities and be available on mobile devices in the US with NFL+.

If you can’t tune in live, however, you better act quickly: Variety reports that “under Netflix’s agreement with the NFL, in the U.S., the two Christmas games expire three hours after the livestream ends.” In other words, the Texans vs. Ravens game — including Beyoncé’s performance — will no longer be available on Netflix beginning around 11 p.m. ET or so.

You can learn more here.

Apple TV+ has been going in hard on sci-fi for the future, but the tech giant’s streaming service is not neglecting the Dad TV realm. Those successes thus far include rapid-fire updates to Slow Horses and a potential continuation of Ted Lasso, but a recently added series received the green light for more, too. That would be Bad Monkey starring Vince Vaughn in Bill Lawrence’s series adaptation of the Carl Hiassen novel.

Since dads (and the people who love them) cannot resist a fast-talking Vince in a role that feels retroactively tailor made for him, the call did not take long for more of Yancy’s adventures, but that brings up a necessary question for anybody who wants to “read ahead” while waiting for the second season.

What Book Will Bad Monkey Season 2 Be Based On?

Well, that’s a mystery, but at least there’s confirmation of what book the series will not tackle next. According to Variety, the Hiassen-penned Bad Monkey sequel novel, Razor Girl, will not materialize next onscreen: “[A]ccording to an individual with knowledge of the production, Season 2 will not be based on that book.” No further hints have been dropped, but Bill Lawrence did declare, “I hope that people know that Carl Hiaasen is an idol of mine and an inspiration for me as a writer” before adding, “To get to go on telling his story with Vince Vaughn and this great cast, at least the characters who are still alive, is very exciting.”

So, will the series go off book completely? Nobody is talking yet. More changes are coming, too, as Variety recently reported that the show will no longer be filmed in the Florida Keys. California tax incentives (to the tune of $20.6 million for the second season) have wooed the show to Los Angeles, but neither Apple TV+ nor Bill Lawrence have revealed whether the story will also be based in LA, or if they will somehow fake a Florida location. What isn’t changing is that Vaughn will still portray Andrew Yancy, which should be enough to keep the Bad Monkey audience tuning in for more.

We’re in the time of year when the Billboard Hot 100 chart is ruled by Christmas songs. Specifically, there’s Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and then a bunch of hits from the ’50s and ’60s. Well, some modern classics are finally starting to emerge.

On the latest Hot 100 chart (dated December 28, so it’s the final one of the year), Carey is No. 1 for a 17th week, which puts the song in third place on the all-time list of the most weeks spent at No. 1, behind Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

But, the No. 9 and 10 spots are notable this week, as they mark the first time a pair of more modern holiday classics have hit the top 10: At 9 is Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” and at 10 is Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath The Tree.” Both tracks peaked at No. 11 during the 2023-2024 holiday season. Grande’s song is now the newest holiday recording to ever hit the top 10 (it was released in 2014) and Clarkson’s is the second-newest (2013). The previous record-holder was Kenny G’s 1999 release of “Auld Lang Syne,” which peaked at No. 7 during the 1999-2000 holiday season.

Meanwhile, the only non-holiday song left in the top 10 this week is Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile,” at No. 6.

2024 is heading out, and 2025 is sliding in hot—so why not send off the year with a proper farewell? Sure, the whole “new year, new you” thing might make you roll your eyes so hard you see 2022 again, but hey, there’s something magical about starting fresh.

This past year brought the heat—literally and figuratively. From the euphoric vibes at ULTRA to the snow-covered stages of Rise Music Festival, the coastal grooves at Defected Croatia, and the unmatched energy of the Ibiza dancefloor, 2024 was a year that knew how to party. So let’s keep the energy alive and roll into 2025 on the highest note possible.

Not sure where to be when the clock strikes midnight? Don’t sweat it. We’ve tracked down the best NYE parties and festivals so you can go out on a high note (and maybe with a little glitter in your hair). Grab your crew, your most questionable outfit, and a solid recovery plan—let’s close this year out right.

Decadence Colorado – Denver, CO: December 30th-31st

Get ready for the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration as Global Dance and AEG team up to present the biggest indoor NYE dance music festival in the U.S.! Decadence Colorado returns this December 30th and 31st at the Colorado Convention Center, bringing an all-star lineup of performers to close out the year with a bang. This epic two-day event will unfold across two massive stages, featuring mind-blowing production, interactive art installations, a silent disco, and plenty more surprises throughout the sprawling venue. With the futuristic “Digital City” theme, the iconic Denver Convention Center will be transformed into a high-tech metropolis, where thousands of festival-goers—known as Citizens—will unite to welcome 2025 in style. Performing artists include Apashe, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Chris Lake, Elderbrook, Excision, ILLENIUM b2b Slander, REZZ, Subtronics, Zeds Dead, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Forever Midnight – Los Angeles, CA: December 31st

Forever Midnight was created in 2023 as the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in the heart of Los Angeles. Returning for its second year, Forever Midnight will host LA’s biggest NYE celebration inside the massive LA Convention Center. From house and techno to underground electronic music, Forever Midnight offers a broad range of forward-thinking artists, top headliners, and local flavor that make it the ultimate destination to ring in the LA New Year.

This year, Factory 93 and Club Space are joining forces once again to host a vibrant stage, bringing a perfect blend of the East and West Coast dance music scenes. Additionally, this year marks the debut of a brand-new third stage, showcased by LA-based promoter Take It Outside. Headliners for this year’s event include Adam Beyer, Boris Brejcha, Chris Lake, Diplo, Lilly Palmer, Max Styler, Odd Mob, Tiësto, Wax Motif, and more.

“We’re delivering something truly exceptional and high-tech,” Forever Midnight Creative Director and showrunner Roustam Mirzoev told Uproxx. “The stage design is one-of-a-kind, and I’m leading a world-class team of international experts who’ve worked with artists like Dom Dolla, Hans Zimmer, Karol G, Solomun, Tiësto, and Anyma. We’re integrating a complex system of synchronized lights, lasers, and visuals. One of the highlights is our TouchDesigner audio-reactive system, which generates visuals in real time—nothing is pre-programmed. This allows the performance to feel dynamic and spontaneous, with visuals, lights, and lasers responding live to the music, highlighting the drops and accentuating the beats. We’ve also got synchronized lasers tracing LEDs, a rare and impactful show element. One of our stages is completely constructed with lights and lasers, centered around a massive disco ball in an old-school rave style, featuring a high-energy light grid. It’s all about creating an immersive, living production where every moment on the dance floor feels electric.”

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Meow Wolf Grapevine – Grapevine, TX: December 31st

Meow Wolf Grapevine’s NYE Adultiverse Party offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with local art and tap into the transformative power of creativity—an ideal antidote to the year’s bustle. On December 31st, The Real Unreal will transform into an exclusive after-hours dreamscape, creating a one-of-a-kind interdimensional party for those 21 and older. It’s an evening designed to celebrate creativity, curiosity, and connection in ways only Meow Wolf can deliver. Guests can expect a Night Shade Burlesque performance, an exploratory interactive wonderland, exclusive VIP lounge, a kaleidoscopic toast at midnight and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Countdown NYE – San Bernardino, CA: December 31st

Insomniac Events will celebrate its 10th edition of Countdown NYE at San Bernardino’s NOS Event CEnter on December 31st. As the West Coast’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration, the cosmic spectacle will feature an otherworldly lineup of dnace music’s brightest stars across five stages. Attendees will be accompanied by extraterrestrial entities amidst towering art installations that reach for the astral plane and be able to explore gourmet food and drink options, VIP dance zones, and enjoy complimentary noisemakers, glow rings, confetti poppers, and champagne for a midnight toast. Headliners for this end of the year intergalactic celebration include Alesso, Chris Lake, Diplo, Jauz, Lilly Palmer, TroyBoi, Zedd, Zeds Dead, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Lights All Night – Dallas, TX: December 28th-29th

Lights All Night (LAN), Texas’ longest-running electronic music festival, returns for its 14th edition with an unforgettable two-day experience. The iconic festival transforms Dallas Market Hall into a radiant playground of mesmerizing lasers, monumental LED walls, and state-of-the-art soundscapes. Expect a kaleidoscopic blend of bass, house, and techno across four stages—The Metroplex, Disco Rodeo, Lonestar, and the vibrant Watering Hole, hosted by DeBussy.

The 2024 lineup features a stellar roster of 40+ artists, including Black Tiger Sex Machine, Kaskade, Excision, Ganja White Night, Tape B, ISOxo, and more. Attendees will be immersed in jaw-dropping visuals, live art installations, and performances by local talent, VJs, and performers. The Watering Hole Stage by DeBussy stands out as a hub for Texas’ rising stars and unexpected surprises. The return of LANDON, LAN’s beloved Disco Astronaut mascot, created in celebration of LAN’s 13th year and Disco Presents’ 30th anniversary, promises even more magic.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

PROPER NYE/NYD – San Diego, CA: December 31st-January 1st

PROPER NYE/NYD will return to San Diego’s iconic Petco Park on December 31st and January 1st for a two-day, multi-stage event featuring performances from electronic music heavyweights. As southern California’s premier New Year’s Eve destination, PROPER draws top-tier talent from across the globe to the expansive grounds of Petco Park, perfectly situated in the heart of San Diego. The two-day event is spearheaded by performances from AC Slater, Boys Noize, Charlotte de Witte, DJ Tennis, Dom Dolla, Eli Brown, Eric Prydz, Green Velvet, John Summit, Mau P, and more. PROPER will also feature top-tier takeovers courtesy of Above & Beyond’s deep house imprint Anjunadeep and Lane 8’s independent record label and event series This Never Happened.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Teksupport X – New York, New York: December 27th-January 1st

New York City’s premier underground event collective Teksupport will celebrate its monumental 10-year anniversary celebration at the end of this month. The year of ‘Teksupport X’ programming kicks off the last week of December at TCE Present’s new venue, Brooklyn Storehouse, led by some of the world’s most noteworthy house and techno selectors.

12/27: Adam Beyer, Avision, Helang, Ilario Alicante b2b Dubfire, Nicole Moudaber at Brooklyn Storehouse

12/28: Gorgon City, Nora en Pure, Patrick Topping, Alan Nieves at Brooklyn Storehouse

12/29: Âme b2b Trikk, Carl Craig b2b Moodymann, Kaytranada, Mr. G (live), Vivian Wang at Brooklyn Storehouse

1/1: Hot Since 82 b2b Ben Sterling, Joseph Capriati b2b Loco Dice, Prospa b2b Mink, Rossi b2b Salome le Chat, The Fellas b2b Ice Thompson at Brooklyn Storehouse

1/1: Victor Calderone at Sony Hall

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Réveillon Carneiros – Tamandaré, Brazil: December 26th-January 2nd

The 8th edition of Réveillon Carneiros promises another unforgettable experience on the Brazilian coast. Soundtracked by top-tier electronic artists and local stars, this spiritual journey of well-being and community connection takes place at two venues in Praia dos Carneiros. Attendees will revel in world class music, food, nature, wellness and sustainability among the stunning coastal setting at Praia dos Carneiros. The large site has everything needed for a special few days of adventure, partying, wellness, food and culture.

Villa Mouton hosts wellness activities from morning until early afternoon, Mouton Beach Club has a gym and restaurant open to everyone until 3pm and then hosts epic sunset parties for those with a ticket, then follows the Night Celebrations which head to a main stage on the coast with superb headliners and different stage set designs and production each day. This year’s theme is “We Are All Special” which fosters unity among attendees while celebrating the local community.

The full lineup showcases a rich mix of both Brazilian and international talent including Adam Ten, Carlita, Damian Lazarus, Pawsa, Blond:Ish, Ahmed Spins, Antdot B2B Maz, Aline Rocha, Curol, Doozie, Eli Iwasa, Jackson, Jessica Brankka, Pedro Mendes, Vanjee, Badaro, and more.

Additionally, dining is included in the package and is curated by Buffet Arcádia, one of the most renowned caterers in the region. Guests can indulge in a wide variety of dishes, including meats, salads, fish, shrimp, finger foods, as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Fresh Start – San Francisco, CA: December 31st-January 1st

Fresh Start which returns to The Midway to host San Francisco’s premiere New Year’s Block Party. Each year, hundreds of artists descend upon the corner of Michigan and Marin Streets to take over The Midway’s multiple indoor stages, plus a massive main stage built outdoors. This year features a star-studded line-up of talent across dance music including DJ Pee .Wee, Charlotte De Witt, Chris Lake, Odd Mob, ZHU, The Blessed Madonna, Cloonee, ZHU, J.Worra, Odd Mob, Austin Millz, and many more.

The Midway will undergo a complete transformation, now featuring the new 888 Garage stage—a 1,000-capacity warehouse venue just across the street. This space was host to three sold-out Portola Festival afterparties in September, and has easily become one of SF’s most buzzworthy venues. Decked out in Fresh Start’s all-new 2025 Y2K branding, The Midway will also host immersive installations, numerous food trucks, and an elevated culinary menu curated by The Midway’s Executive Chef.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Labryinto – Guanacaste, Costa Rica: December 27th-January 2nd

Labryinto returns to Guanacaste, Costa Rica for a four-day exploration of music, art, gastronomy, and wellness. Founded on the pillars of creativity, sustainability, kindness, authenticity, and wholehearted engagement, Labryinto will welcome guests to find serenity in its wellness and yoga workshops, savor the delicious local cuisine, embark on thrilling adventures, and dance to the global beats of renowned DJs among the jungle’s lush greenery.

This year’s theme “The Cosmos” will feature interactive art from global artists, immersive experiences and installations, and performances from Black Coffee, Adriatique, Carlita, Dennis Cruz, WhoMadeWho, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Decadence Arizona – Phoenix, AZ: December 30th-31st

Similar to its Colorado event, Decadence Arizona will unveil an ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration for two nights on December 30th and 31st at Phoenix’s Rawhide Event Center. It’s “Art Of Indulgence” theme will feature performances by Deadmau5, Dom Dolla, Deorro, Eli & Fur, John Summit, Mau P, Sidepiece, Zeds Dead, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

NEON Countdown – Bangkok, Thailand: December 30th-31st

Since 2015, Neon Countdown has been welcoming the New Year in Thailand with a kingly celebration of electronic music. Taking place at Wonder World Extreme Park, this year will offer two spectacular nights of music and raving experiences, including performances by headliners Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas, MRAK, Indira Paganotto, Lost Frequencies, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Radiance NYE – Grayslake, IL: December 30th-31st

Situated between Milwaukee and Chicago at Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, IL, Radiance NYE will feature two days of premiere partying and raving. Ring in the new year with performances from REZZ, SVDDEN DEATH, Peekaboo, Kill Safari, and more.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Together As One – Seattle, WA: December 31st

Insomniac will touch down in Seattle to put on this one-night event to enjoy the best in electronic music at the WaMu Theater. Dom Dolla, Green Velvet, Azzecca, Prospa, Imanu, Blk., and more are slated to perform at Seattle’s biggest New Year’s Eve rave.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Bohemia Presents Defected’s 25th Anniversary NYE Party – Dubai, UAE: December 31st

Bohemia joins forces with London’s powerhouse label, Defected, for a special edition of Bohemia Presents—an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a star-studded line-up set to ignite the night. Set against the stunning backdrop of Dubai Marina and the iconic Ain Dubai, Bohemia Beach Club offers panoramic views and an elegant beachfront setting to ring in 2025 with pure house magic, beachfront glamour, and breathtaking firework displays.

Headlining the night is Grammy-winning house legend Roger Sanchez, renowned for iconic tracks like ‘Another Chance’ and his high-energy performances, which have shaped dance music for decades. Joining him are DJ and producer Monki, The Kimono Bros with their signature blend of eclectic house and disco, and Fabrice, who completes the line-up with his genre-defying beats.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Music On @ Pacha – Ibiza, Spain: December 31st

Following an extraordinary summer during which Music On reigned supreme over Ibiza’s nightlife, the world-renowned Pacha Ibiza is poised to welcome back Marco Carola’s distinctive musical experience for an electrifying New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Eve, music aficionados from across the globe will unite beneath the iconic twin cherries for an unforgettable night of pulsating beats and exhilarating performances, bidding farewell to 2024 at the year’s most highly anticipated celebration. At the heart of the festivities, Marco Carola will command the Pacha Ibiza dancefloor with his signature fusion of house and techno, radiating an unparalleled energy that is sure to captivate all in attendance.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

SILO – Dallas, TX: December 27th-31st

The party keeps going all week at SILO Dallas, with performances from four internationally acclaimed artists. SILO, named ‘Best New Nightlife Venue’ by Texas Time Out’s 2024 Awards. New Year’s week lineup includes:

• Charlotte de Witte (12/27): The techno titan will deliver her high-energy performance.
• John Digweed (12/28): A journey into the heart of progressive house.
• Diplo (12/30): Genre-defying and endlessly dynamic, Diplo takes over the decks.
• Dombresky (12/31): Ring in the New Year with infectious house grooves.

Since opening in September, SILO has hosted sold-out shows from acts like Tiesto, RL Grime, Fisher, Kaskade and Illenium. With a 3000+ capacity, SILO features cutting-edge sound with over 100,000 watts of D&B sound and acoustical innovations, a 40-foot stage, and a 2mm video wall.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

AREA15 NYE Masquerade – Las Vegas, NV: December 31st

AREA15, Las Vegas’ immersive entertainment district just minutes away from the famous Las Vegas strip, will transform into an electrifying masquerade ball on New Year’s Eve. Six rooms will host a different themed masquerade party, each offering its own distinct experience. Headliners across the rooms for the evening include Eli & Fur, Soraya, Robyn Lee, Kyliente, Micah J, FX Logik, Kitch N Sync, and more.

Venetian Ball: Floor-to-ceiling 360-degree projections and sultry beats will transport you to another land.

Galactic Ball: Lose yourself in intergalactic PLUR inside the Uncommons, disguised as a stellar dance floor for all night raging with out-of-this world acrobatic performers. Featuring electronic music by VIBEFM.

Rendezcous Ball: Buff your boss level dances skills throughout two floors of Asylum Bar & Arcade. Side quests welcome. Featuring hip-hop and R&B curated by Leverage.

Blacklight Ball: Hosted by Bodies and Beats, embark on a mesmerizing journey with black-lit backdrops, go-go dancers, and art-forward photo opportunities soundtracked to Bodies & Beats.

Nature Ball: The Oddwood and Santuary Lounges merge into a spiritual Silent Disco with transformative activities and anthemic, ambient, and world-based beats.

Mirror Ball: Hosted by Las Vegas Weekly, prepare for your cover shoot and melt into a glittering ballroom of mirrors, lights, and sounds.

All early bird and premium tables are already sold out. Remaining tickets and information can be found here.

The first round of the expanded College Football Playoff took place over the weekend. While the on-campus environments and unique matchups between teams that don’t normally play lived up to everyone’s expectations, the games themselves did not, as they were largely blowouts where the home teams steamrolled the lower-ranked road sides.

It led to a lot of time that needed to be filled, and there were plenty of things that got thrown around by various ESPN personalities that didn’t exactly go over well. This included Kirk Herbstreit, who discussed the “lunatic fringe” at Ohio State that is fed up with head coach Ryan Day, and at one point, brought up another ESPN show, First Take, after Chris Fowler called out “nonsense” from “pundits on this network and other places” who “talk about that with certainty.”

“First Take tried to fire him,” Herbstreit said. “They thought he was done, so, I’ll be excited to see what they talk about on Monday after this performance. They had him out and were trying to find replacements, but here he is. He’s still got his hat on, he’s still coaching.”

Now, this is First Take we’re talking about here, so there was no bigger guarantee on the planet than this getting addressed. And unsurprisingly, that happened, with both Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe addressing Fowler and especially Herbstreit directly.

“Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, outstanding, dynamic duo, it’s an honor and a privilege to call them my colleagues, that we work here at the same network, alright?” Smith said in an effort to add some diplomacy to the situation. “And I said this in fun to both of them: Stop, stop it. Chris Fowler, it’s ridiculous, no it’s not. Kirk Herbstreit, First Take tried to get him fired. That is not true, I did! Not First Take. That was me, Stephen A., I’m gonna own that. And what did I say specifically, Kirk Herbstreit? Because you gotta quote me accurately, my brother. I watch you on College GameDay, I don’t misquote you, don’t misquote me. What I said was, this man Ryan Day, if he doesn’t get a national championship, he should go. Even with a 66-10 record. I didn’t stutter one bit, I ain’t stuttering now.”

Smith then goes into Day’s struggles against Michigan, and how he hasn’t won a national title, all that stuff. Still, his whole rant was basically what you expect on an ESPN debate show that is trying to gin up a story where Stephen A. Smith and First Take are the main characters, which is the standard operating procedure for Stephen A. Smith and First Take.

What was considerably different was Sharpe, who … well, his response got a bit more personal.

“I’m gonna be a good teammate, I’m gonna let it slide — Everybody’s at ESPN. Because had you not taken the route you’ve taken, I would’ve lit their asses up,” Sharpe said. “I’m gonna let it slide. You know what guys, congratulations, Ohio State, you won the game. But hey, if we’re gonna be on the same team, if we’re gonna work for the same network, don’t do that. Kirk, Chris Fowler, I promise you, if you ever mention any platform that I’m on again and talking about ‘I wonder what they’re going to say as negativity,’ I promise you, ESPN ain’t got enough bosses to keep me off y’all for what I’m going to say. So, I’ma let y’all slide today, I’ma turn it over to [Dan Orlovsky] before I get myself in trouble. But don’t play with me.”

As both Sharpe and Smith mentioned in passing, Ohio State beat Tennessee, 42-17. This is all pretty wild, as the extremely short list of people who can say whatever they want at ESPN without fear of anyone getting too mad at them includes both Smith (and, by extension, Sharpe) and Herbstreit. At the same time, this public of a spat between some of the most visible people at the network — particularly when it pits the show ESPN built its entire morning programming around against arguably the single most valuable non-NFL property in all of American sports — absolutely seems like the sort of thing that has to be addressed ASAP.

Still, in a weekend where a lot of people did not exactly cover themselves in glory with how they discussed the sport, I think you can make the case that all of this was the nadir for something very loosely trying to present itself as college football analysis.

(via Awful Announcing)

It’s been a little while since we’ve gotten a new album from recent Uproxx cover star Charlie Puth, as his latest is 2022’s Charlie. Well, the good news is that one is coming soon, because legally, one has to come soon.

During a recent Q&A, Puth was asked when he’ll release his next album, and he responded, “The top of next year. So not five years, not four years: next year. Contractually obligated to release something next year, so…”

In his Uproxx cover story, Puth said of new music, “I do feel more at home in my music. I don’t feel insecure about being the 32-year-old band geek anymore, or the guy on the internet making fun of himself and now making fun of himself on a Roku TV show. Hopefully, this album is my best-performing one. I’d love 10 etched-in-stone songs that say as much about me as an hour-long interview. I feel like there’s only one of me. I just feel like that’s when an artist is in their prime — when they realize that there’s only one of them.”

He also said of one (currently untitled) song in particular, “It’s just as real and raw as I can be. It’s less about sneaking in the secret synth that no one cares about. They care about what I’m singing, and I should care about what I’m singing. I’m writing all the words, and I’m not really processing my vocals because my production idol, Max Martin, told me that what he misses from me is emotion in some areas musically. That comes from not tuning the vocals to high heavens and just letting it breathe.”

Forget the number of roads a man must walk down before you call him a man, and don’t even get me started on how many times must the cannonballs fly before they’re forever banned. You know what’s really blowin’ in the wind? Favorite Bob Dylan songs. It changes daily. Sometimes I’m in the mood for the post-“thin, wild, mercury sound” era (“The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest” is an underrated jewel). Other times, the only thing I want to listen to is the haunting loneliness of “Not Dark Yet.”

Naming a favorite Bob Dylan song is especially difficult when you’re in a movie about Bob Dylan.

I recently asked the cast of A Complete Unknown — Timothée Chalamet (who plays Bob Dylan), Elle Fanning (Sylvie Russo, based on artist and Dylan’s girlfriend at the time Suze Rotolo), Edward Norton (Pete Seeger), and Monica Barbaro (Joan Baez) — as well as director James Mangold to share if they have a favorite Bob Dylan song(s). Some did, others found it an impossible task.

Check out their answers below.

James Mangold

I can’t do it. It’s too many, I can’t. Honestly, I’m so bad. I won’t do it with movies, I don’t do it with anything. I love too many things. It’d be like asking me to name a Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen or Frank Sinatra song I like best. I just can’t do it.

Do you remember the first Dylan album you heard?

Absolutely. It was my dad’s Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits record, the one with the backlit big hair. That was my introduction. He had a cassette that he played in his VW bus whenever he drove me somewhere. It was either that or Glen Campbell singing “Wichita Lineman.” That’s where I first was introduced to Bob. And then I obviously heard the records, but by the time I was in college, even when I was 17 or 18, I believe that’s when Infidels came out. I love that record, and that also made me buy everything backwards from there that I hadn’t heard.

Is there a deep cut that you really wanted to include in the movie, but couldn’t find a place to fit it?

“One Too Many Mornings.” I love that song, but I also managed to get it in, in the sense that if you see the movie again, and you listen to the guitar playing under Bob and Joan when he rides off on his motorcycle at the end, it’s the guitar part for “One Too Many Mornings.”

Edward Norton

The answer to that question has probably changed every five years, because I think as you move through life and go through your own phases and changes, there’s so much richness in his music that you end up realizing a different song that he wrote is the soundtrack you need at the moment. It’s never stayed fixed.

I’ve had periods where Blood On The Tracks was the soundtrack of my emotional life. And I’ve had periods where I was deep in World Gone Wrong. And I think when I was young and moved to New York to try to live in Greenwich Village and be an artist, those early records were almost totemic to me. “Song For Woody” is a very important song in my life. That idea of coming to a place to follow in the footsteps of people that you have taken inspiration from, I honestly felt that song was my story. That’s like what I was trying to do. Like so many other people, things he has written at different phases and eras of his own life have resonated for me at different times.

When I moved to New York for college, the song that spoke to me in the way you’re describing was “She’s Your Lover Now.”

Those songs, “Boots Of Spanish Leather,” “Girl From The North Country,” “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” I mean, he’s got this whole landscape of longing and loss, but then there’s the political stuff. Timothée and I talked a lot about how “The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll”… I mean, that song is so lacerating, and challenging, and brilliant, and bold, kind of like “Hurricane” later. You know, the capacity to write a thing that’s not about rhyming, that is telling a story of injustice, and to have it actually, you know, hurt your heart. It’s amazing what he’s able to encompass in his writing. I remember when he won the Nobel Prize, and people were like, “Oh, but he’s not a writer.” It’s like, yes, he is. Yes, he absolutely is.

Monica Barbaro

I have, right now, the deepest relationship with “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” That was a song that I really focused on with guitar, because it’s very difficult to play, and in doing so, constantly repeating it, I just felt like, over months, the lyrics meant more to me. I was constantly finding new depth in the lyrics, and even changing my relationship over time with the words of that song. There’s also… god, I love the moment in “Farewell Angelina”: “Shut the eyes of the dead / Not to embarrass anyone.” That is something that just hits you. He’s a brilliant poet.

How about your favorite Joan Baez song?

It’s hard to narrow it down. I really love “Diamonds And Rust.” She wrote it in the ’70s, or at least it was released in the ’70s, and I thought that was a really helpful lens into a lot of pieces of [Bob and Joan’s] relationship, as many people did, as many fans did, and as he did. I think from the sounds of it, he heard the song and called her, and he’s like, “What the f*ck.” That was a very informative song. But I love the way she sings “The Water Is Wide.” I love the way she sings “House Of The Rising Sun,” the way she hovers on the relationship with the sister in that song. To me, whether she was doing this or not, it feels like she’s saying something about her sister and the relationship that they had. I find the accompaniment to be beautiful, and I think it’s the most beautiful version of that song that exists. God, “Silver Dagger,” so cool. It’s peppy, but tragic, and… god, I can’t pick favorites with her songs. I really can’t.

When you were preparing for the role, did you watch a lot of live footage?

Yeah yeah. We all pored over so much footage, and luckily, it was fairly well-documented. And there have been lots of documentaries throughout the decades. I think they’re also all very honest about themselves and honest about the time, and that’s a gift when you’re portraying these people, having the audacity to portray them behind closed doors. We’re let in on a lot of who they were, because they’re just honest.

Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning

Elle: It’s a wild question, I must say. But “Buckets Of Rain,” that’s the first Bob Dylan song I heard, so it means something to me. I love “Hurricane.” I love “Ballad Of A Thin Man.” Those are the ones that are endless, right? “Tangled Up In Blue.”

Timothée: It changes every day. Today, I’ll say “Outlaw Blues,” because, I could be wrong, I’m sure I’m wrong, but it’s been very hard for me to ever find a live version of him doing “Outlaw Blues.” And it’s also, conversely, one of the Dylan tracks from that period that has a crazy kick to it and a crazy energy. And to me, one of the underrated songs of that time period.

Do you remember the first album of his that you listened to?

Elle: Mine was Blood On The Tracks.

Timothée: I couldn’t tell you. For me, it was like everything at once. So I really don’t have a good answer for you there, and…

Elle: You were trying to be him.

Timothée: But in the beginning, the truthful answer of that was “Ballad Of A Thin Man,” the live version from No Direction Home, the Scorsese doc. And also “I Want You” from Blonde On Blonde. Those were, for whatever reason, some of the early Dylan songs in my library.

Have either of you ever seen him live?

Timothée: Yeah, we saw him together.

Elle: Kings Theatre?

Timothée: Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. Not this summer, but this past summer and Elle passed out in the audience.

Elle: No, I threw up.

Timothée: She was throwing up.

Elle: I had a bad turkey sandwich. It was awesome.

Timothée: I was like, this is either a great omen for the movie or the exact opposite.

Elle: Oh my god, he was halfway through. I’d never seen him live, and we were there, and then something overcame me. And then I envisioned the turkey sandwich I’d had that day, and ran out. I threw up in the concession stand.

Is there an artist or band who you haven’t seen live who you really want to?

Elle: AC/DC.

Timothée: Whoa, good answer.

Elle: Yeah, I haven’t seen… I can still see them, right?

I think they just announced a stadium tour.

Elle: Amazing. All right, Sign me up.

How about you, Timothée?

Timothée: Maybe your sweater? [I’m wearing a Phoebe Bridgers hoodie] Maybe Phoebe Bridgers? I’ve seen Boygenius, but I haven’t seen Phoebe live.

A Complete Unknown opens in theaters on December 25.

A fed-up Summer Walker grabs the gas can in an homage to ’90s Black cinema. Even if you haven’t seen the 1995 Angela Bassett vehicle, you can probably predict how the video for Walker’s single “Heart Of A Woman” ends. NLE Choppa stars as her cheating beau, who ends up with a smoldering heap where his designer clothes used to be after stepping out one too many times.

The video opens with Walker in her boudoir watching anime, when a buzzing iPhone sends her to the shower to confront a naked (safe for work) NLE Choppa. However, he convinces her to forgive him; after a few more cycles, though, Walker reaches the end of her rope, with fiery results.

“Heart Of A Woman” is the lead single from Walker’s upcoming third studio album, Finally Over It. Due for release in 2025, the album appears to be the final piece of her coming-of-age romantic trilogy. Its release is set to be accompanied by the launch of an Apple Music Radio station, Over It Radio, which was announced earlier this month. Walker’s had a quiet 2024, but it looks like the new year is going to be bringing a flurry of activity from the reluctant star.

Watch Summer Walker’s video for “Heart Of A Woman” featuring NLE Choppa above.