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A Quick Look At All Of The Food Vendors At Coachella This Year

Coachella Food Guide
Coachella/UPROXX

In the insanity of a music lineup stacked with heavyweights, larger-than-life art sculptures, and breathtaking moments, it’s easy to overlook one of the most memorable parts of Coachella – the food!

A simple stroll through the Indio Central Market, Coachella’s main food court, is like falling into an international vortex of savory and sweet fragrances. From top-end juicy burgers to southern-style hot chicken sammies, these culinary delights are right on par with the headliners. Choosing what to eat is no less challenging than deciding which act to hear next. With 26 vegan options, five different pizza vendors, and stylized food from cultures far and wide, it’s a great time to try something new, too.

Just like following your ears will lead to your own personal listening adventure and a universe of new musical discoveries at Coachella, following your other senses is sure to bring similar joy. The difference is most of these handpicked morsels aren’t available to stream later. In fact, outside Coachella, it’s safe to say finding a spread like this all at once is near impossible.

So, what’s new on the menu?

Hot this year, Coachella has five incredible dining options when it comes to cuisine:

  • First and most intriguing for sushi-lovers, there’s Sushi by Scratch ($375 + fees), a hidden Omakase speakeasy with a 17-course sushi meal. It’s even got a secret door!
  • Second, the event annually hosts a full-fledged restaurant experience inside the festival grounds. This year Coachella offers a romantic pop-up with oysters courtesy of Los Angeles’ famed seafood specialists, Broad Street Oyster Co.
  • Third, a cavalcade of top-shelf chefs will assemble in the Polo Fields mythic rose gardens for a 275-person banquet-style meal on long tables. Known as Outstanding In The Field ($275 + fees), the world-class chef lineup is complimented by food from local farms, accompanied by some of the best cocktails, beer, and wine the festival has to offer.
  • Fourth, Lay’s (yes, the potato chip company) is unveiling a mysterious activation they’re calling “Fresh 4D”, which promises to be a totally multi-sensory snacking experience.
  • The last and most robust eating option, which is already accessible with a GA or VIP wristband, can be found in more than 50 food trucks, restaurants, and caterers who converge from around the country for the event. In the Beer Gardens, the campgrounds, the Terrace, 12 Peaks VIP, Rose Garden VIP, and in Coachella’s Indio Central Market, you’ll find these culinary maestros serving all their own specialties in signature flair.

For a taste of what those vendors bring to the table, read on! (Vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian menu options are listed — V, VEG, GF)

All Dat Dim Sum

Strap yourself in for spicy wontons and steamed buns. This Santa Monica-based crew offers the perfect comfort food for those cool Indio nights.

(V)(VEG)

Backyard Bowls

Don’t let a heavy breakfast slow you down. Get an acai bowl instead and be back in the action before you know it.

(V) (VEG) (GF)

Bolo

Succulent on the inside and crispy at the edges, Bolo’s chicken sammies explode with juicy flavor. The portions are massive too, making it perfect in all those times when you’ve been dancing your heart out and need to catch up on calories.

(VEG)

Bridgetown Roti

This option is only available in the Rose Garden during weekend 2. Probably because the punch packed by its jerk flavors and Caribbean spices can knock a set of taste buds into next week.

Cena Vegan

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Nominated for an award from Veg News, Cena’s is one of those places vegans can bring their non-vegan friends to blow their minds with what’s possible. Try their burritos, nachos, and tacos. They’ll make a believer out of anyone.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Craig’s Vegan

Thick, creamy, and it’s non-dairy so it won’t slow you down. These classic ice cream flavors are made with a trademarked vegan cashew base!

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Dayglow

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Basically the mixologists of Coachella’s coffee scene, Dayglow makes cold brews with unexpectedly exceptional flavors from ingredients like citrus, berries, and Cacao.

(V)

El Chino Grande

Dive into a sweet and tangy blend of Thai and Hawai’ian street foods from the inventive mind of Chef Chris Yang.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Erva

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Move over tea, maté is here and it’s got an attitude. Order lip-smacking beverages inspired by the biggest acts of 2022, like “Watermelon Sugar” a la Harry Styles, “WAP” as a nod to Megan Thee Stallion, and “Keep it Juicy”, which was inspired by the hit track from Doja Cat.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Ggiata

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Catching yourself craving an East Coast-style Italian deli? Head to Ggiata in the VIP section – and accept no substitutes.

(VEG)

Hattie B’s

Turn up the heat with a sandwich from one of the most praised hot chicken icons in the country. Between the crunch of the pickles and the zing of the slaw, the blend of flavors is an unforgettable kick.

(VEG)(GF)

Hawkins House of Burgers

Hawkins monster patties, zippy pastrami, and gooey cheese are sure to quelch the hunger pangs. This Black woman-owned operation is fresh, passionate about their burgers, and always right on point.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Irv’s Burgers

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Perhaps the country’s most historic burger stand, Irv’s has been around for more than half a century grilling ‘em up on Route 66. It’s practically a national landmark for foodies.

KazuNori

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Did someone say “Sushi Burrito”? These uncut nori rolls made possible by SUGARFISH and Nozawa Bar are almost too perfect on the go. Chewing: optional.

Kogi BBQ

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For conversational finger food that is as addicting as it is delicious, try the Loaded Korean BBQ Fries at the Kogi Truck. Get a second order too, as the portions are hearty but you still won’t want to share.

(VEG)

LA Pizzeria Co Pizza

For a slice as big as your face, LA Pizzaria Co has your back. The foldable New York-style classic never disappoints and for a popular festival, like Coachella, the prices are surprisingly affordable.

Lettuce Feast

These two-handed soul food creations are made with plants. Get one for a non-vegan friend and they won’t even know.

(V)(VEG)

Love Hour

Heavy set LA-style burgers topped with ingredients named in colorful innuendos, like hot honey and love sauce. Don’t forget the seasoned fries with garlic parmesan. They’re dreamy, cheesy, and fun to share.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

ManEatingPlant

Arriving for their first ever time at the festival, this Asian comfort food is sure to be a hit. Try the vegan noods!

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Milk Box Bar Boba

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Milk tea mania is taking over! Beat the heat and ditch the sugary drinks in favor of a mango matcha boba or a plant-based Thai tea with oat milk.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Monty’s

Classic diner staples like burgers, fries, tots, and shakes are available here, but with a twist. The owners pay all their employees a living wage.

(V)(VEG)

Post & Beam

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Only available for Weekend 1, this Southern-style spot features a true farm to face experience produced by an award-winning executive chef, John Cleveland.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Prince Street Pizza

For pizza lovers who know variety is the spice of life, the Craft Beer Barn has something extra special. Get New York and Sicilian-style square-cut slices here.

(VEG)

Ramen Hood Vegan Ramen

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Famed for their #richassbroth, Ramen Hood is a steal for what you get. When the temperature cools off at night it’s invigorating too. Plus, with vegan options available it won’t weigh you down.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Ronan

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For the classic Italian-style pizza lovers, these personal-sized Neapolitan pies are a game-changer. They’re family-owned and operated too.

(V)(VEG)

Salt & Straw

Head to The Terrace to cool off in this air-conditioned. There you’ll find “daringly delicious ice cream crafted with unthinkable care” — it’s a longtime favorite of Uproxx!

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Shrimp Daddy

Sweet and salty like a cool island breeze. The only way to make Hawaiian garlic butter shrimp better is to serve it in a pineapple boat.

Slutty Vegan

This Atlanta-based crew makes truly beefy burgers, without beef. Their signature dishes, like the Fussy Hussy, the Sloppy Toppy, and the Hollywood Hooker are as delightful to order as they are to eat too.

(V)(VEG)

Sumo Dog

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Yankee Stadium’s own over-the-top ballpark-style dogs are sure to be a home run on the West Coast. The only problem is fitting them into your mouth.

(V)

Sus Arepas

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This low-carb South American treat packs an explosion of juicy spices into a warm flaky cornmeal biscuit. Craving a taste of adventure that also feels like home? This is the one!

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Sweetfin Poke

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From poke bowls to bento boxes, Sweetfin is a chef-led crew offering dishes like Spicy Tuna, Yuzu Salmon, and Sweet Potato Ponzu with Lime. Self-care never looked so classy.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Tacos 1986

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Exclusively in the VIP area, these tacos and quesadillas are full of flavor and made to order. After one, you’ll be hooked.

(V)(VEG)

Todo Bien

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Refreshing and bold, these Southern California-style street tacos are almost too good. For newcomers to California, this is it!

Trill Burgers

If the smell doesn’t draw you in like a black hole of flavor, the satisfied look on the faces of people who eat here probably will. Try the fresh grilled onions for extra sweetness.

(V)(VEG)

Umami Burger (with Alvin Cailan)

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If you know – you know! Umami Burger is harrowed as the ultimate Burger wherever they go. And, under the direction of Chef Alvin Cailan ‘Chella goers can experience their food on a whole new level.

(VEG)

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Known for left field flavors like Pizza, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, and Planet Earth, Van Leeuwen is french decadence with a ‘Merican lean.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Vibe Organic Kitchen

The power meals from this Newport Beach-based operation will make you forget the whole menu is plant-based and gluten-free. The portions are sizable, but the flavor is even bigger.

(V)(VEG)(GF)

Wood Fire Wings

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Some might call him a wing specialist. Those who know him say he’s a wood fire BBQ legend. Don’t skip the grill-made magic of Urbyn Yates. Exclusively for VIP pass holders.

(V)(VEG)

Xiao Chi Jie

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These steamy soups and luscious dumplings won’t leave you hungry. But, they’ll definitely stoke your appetite for more.

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Father John Misty Offers A Bar Night Snapshot In His ‘Kiss Me (I Loved You)’ Video

Last week saw the release of Father John Misty’s latest album, Chloë And The Next 20th Century. Now, he’s back with a video for “Kiss Me (I Loved You),” in which characters played by Annie Hamilton (of Inventing Anna and Hawkeye) and Alexander Zuccaro spend a mostly uneventful night at a bar.

Misty hasn’t given any interviews this album cycle or offered press quotes about the meanings or origins of Chloë And The Next 20th Century songs. However, after performing “Kiss Me” in Brighton, England on April 10, he told a fictitious and humorous story about getting Jack Cruz to cover the song, a recording (actually sung by David Lynch) that appears on a deluxe edition of the album. For those unfamiliar, Cruz is a monkey who stars alongside Lynch in the 2017 short film What Did Jack Do?.

In a fan-shot video, Misty tells the audience, “His music was a big inspiration on a few of these songs and by the time the record was done, I thought it would be really nice and full-circle if I could somehow get Jack to sing this song, ‘Kiss Me.’” From there, he spoke of contacting Lynch, Lynch explaining what Cruz is up to now, and other fun monkey shenanigans.

Watch the “Kiss Me (I Loved You)” video above.
Chloë And The Next 20th Century is out now via Sub Pop. Get it here.

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The Best Bottles Of Scotch Whisky Between $200-$250, Ranked

Best Scotch Under $250
iStockphoto/UPROXX

Let’s talk about expensive Scotch whisky. Is it ever worth spending $250 on? Simple answer: “yes.” The thing with Scotch whisky is that this price point is rarely about hype. These whiskies actually cost this much money without the whisky machine inflating the prices the way you see in bourbon right now. A $250 bottle of Scotch is priced fairly to reflect the craft and time put into it. That’s not to say these are average bottles but they’re not unicorns by any stretch either.

So where do these pricey whiskies fit in the ecosystem? They’re all “the good stuff” and are (mostly) all 20 years old. This is kind of where the Scotch journey hits a peak before getting into rarities you might not ever actually find. So while the ten Scotch whiskies below are expensive, they’re still all fairly accessible on the open market.

For the ranking of these, I’m keeping it simple. I actually have the top four bottles open on my shelf right now and enjoy them regularly. The rest are all bottles I respect and think offer something unique at this price point but that I don’t generally chase down and spend my own cash on (just being real!). That said, your palate is different than mine — if something strikes your fancy, grab it!

Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Scotch Whisky Posts of The Last Six Months

10. Royal Brackla 21

Royal Brackla
Bacardi

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $250

The Whisky:

This whisky is the oldest aged statement from the Last Great Malts from John Dewar & Sons line. The juice is distilled slowly before it spends 21 long years maturing Olorosso sherry casks where it’s left untouched. The barrels are vatted when they’re just right, proofed with soft Speyside water, and bottled.

Tasting Notes:

Light vanilla pudding with a big dollop of berry compote welcomes you on the nose as this vibrant white grape bursts forth. The taste meanders from spicy dark chocolate towards a malty Black Forest cake as stewed cherries, light cream, and a lot of dark chocolate shavings come together. The finish embraces the chocolate until that bright white grape comes back to bring about a nice end.

Bottom Line:

I randomly picked up a bottle of this at a whisky show and was pleasantly surprised. It’s light, sure, but there’s some real depth. In the end, it feels like an easy entry point to higher-end Scotch single malts that’s not challenging but just tasty.

9. Highland Park Draken Single Cask

The Edrington Group

ABV: 64.3%

Average Price: $200

The Whisky:

This whisky from the far north of the Orkney Islands is all about balance. The one-off bottling only yielded 400-odd bottles from a single sherry cask that held the juice for 13 years. The whisky was bottled as-is to really highlight the beauty of cold-weather whisky maturation in every sip.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a subtle warmth that ties ginger to eggnog spices on the nose with a hint of dry, almost cedary smoke. That smoke falls back towards a dry moss as the oak kicks in, with hints of marzipan, dark dried fruits, and a cinnamon-stewed fig, leading towards another note of sharp candied ginger. The end is long but soft, with a balance of sweet and fruity smoke lingering on your warmed senses.

Bottom Line:

This is a subtle whisky from a bold distillery. I really dig this over a rock or two to calm it down a bit, which is why it ranks a little lower on this list.

8. Aberfeldy 20 Exceptional Cask

Bacardi

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $225

The Whisky:

This special release spent 20 years mellowing in re-fill bourbon and sherry casks. Then the prime juice was married and filled into hand-selected Sauternes sweet wine casks from France for a final year of maturation. The results hold onto the signature honeyed heart of Aberfeldy while adding more sweetened nuance to the dram.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a clear sense of honey on the nose with dried fruit, malts, and light oak. The taste leans into the honey and malts while a sweet red berry flourish arrives. There’s a hint of butter toffee next to those whisky malts that eventually end up with sweet honey tobacco married to soft dried apricots, sultanas, and a hint of cream soda. The finish feels like honey-soaked cedar planks that have been left in a fruit orchard all summer with a hint of black soil lurking underneath it all.

Bottom Line:

This is one of those bottles I have on the shelf but always sort of forget about until I stumble across it for a tasting. It’s great but then I forget about it again. I’m not sure why it doesn’t stick in my mind and that lowers its rank compared to some of the killers on this list.

7. Glenfiddich 21 Reserva Rum Cask Finish

Glenfiddich 21
William Grant & Sons

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $230

The Whisky:

Rum casks and sweet single malts are a great match. This whisky starts off by mellowing for 21 years in ex-bourbon casks before that juice is transferred to Caribbean rum barrels for a final rest. That whisky is then blended and proofed down for bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Burnt toffee and dark chocolate lead the way on the nose as rum-soaked dates and plums mingle with wintry spice, a hint of cherry tobacco, worn leather gloves, and what feels like the most expensive cream soda you’ve ever drunk. There’s a floral flourish on the palate that gives way to ground ginger, cinnamon sticks, and black peppercorns before the dried fruit kick back in on the mid-palate with a rich and buttery sweetness. That mid-palate turns into a banana bread with walnuts as the finish fades into more winter spice and the slightest hint of lime zest on the very end.

Bottom Line:

This has no business being this good at 80 proof. There’s not a watery note anywhere and that’s kind of a miracle. Still, this is mostly fruity and sweet with a spicy edge and feels somewhat one-note.

6. Glenmorangie Signet

Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy

ABV: 46%

Average Price: $240

The Whisky:

This Glenmorangie expression is a prime example of something truly special. The juice is a mix of single malts with estate-grown malts and “chocolate malts” (meaning they were roasted until dark and chocolate-y). The hot juice then went into new American oak for varying amounts of time for blending, proofing, and bottling. While there’s no age statement, there are barrels up to 40 years old in the mix.

Tasting Notes:

You’re greeted with a note of dried apricots with a hint of clove, leading towards a very light dark orange chocolate. The chocolate amps up the bitterness, reaching espresso bean levels as some eggnog spice kicks in with a silky mouthfeel and a touch of wet tobacco. The end brings about a flourish of bright citrus zest that dries everything out, leaving you with a lingering end and a final note of earthy dried mushrooms.

Bottom Line:

This is a nice, deeply flavored whisky that’s also pretty easy to drink. You won’t be challenged or overwhelmed but you will be satisfied.

5. Dewar’s The Signature 25

Bacardi

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $249

The Whisky:

Master Blender Stephanie MacLeod has taken blended scotch to the next level with this expression. Grain and single malt whiskies are aged for 25 very long years before they’re married and placed in oak vats to get to know each other. Then the whisky is filled into single malt whisky casks from Royal Brackla Distillery for a final maturation. Think of it as a special finishing that’s a single malt barrel instead of rum, port, stout, etc.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a note of that iconic Aberfeldy honey at the core of the nose, leading your senses towards dried apple chips, a touch of cedar, and what feels like an English muffin covered in clotted cream and berry jam. The taste really leans into the muffin and berries as light notes of honey syrup, dried florals, and more of those dried apples (with a pinch of salt) mix on your tongue. The end is long and fruity with a nice spice counterpoint and a final note of minty tobacco in a cedar box.

Bottom Line:

This is a great pour of blended Scotch whisky. It’s pure sweet whisky to its core and really feels special in the glass, and that makes it a good turning point in this ranking toward the undeniably great bottles below.

4. Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Diageo

ABV: 40%

Average Price: $240

The Whisky:

This is the mountaintop of Johnnie Walker’s whiskies. The blend is a marriage of ultra-rare stock from extinct Diageo distilleries around Scotland. That’s just … cool. This expression is all about barrel selection and the mastery of a great noser and blender working together to create something special.

Tasting Notes:

Prunes and dates lead to a smoked apricot vibe with hints of old leather, orange-infused marzipan, dried roses, and a honeyed sweetness on the nose. The palate is so soft and holds onto that orange/marzipan/rose vibe before turning towards a malty dark chocolate mid-palate with smoked almonds and plums lingering on the backend. The finish is full of spicy malts and smoked stone fruits with that dark chocolate adding a thin layer of bitterness.

Bottom Line:

This is a damn near perfect sipper, especially on a rock or two. It’s complex yet approachable. It’s so soft and welcoming while still having that whisper of Islay smoke lurking in the background. You cannot go wrong pouring some of this into a glass at the end of the day and letting it wash over you.

3. The Dalmore 18

Whyte & Mackay

ABV: 43%

Average Price: $250

The Whisky:

This is more than just an 18-year-old whisky. The juice in this case spent 14 years maturing in ex-bourbon casks. Then the whisky was filled into Matusalem sherry casks that held sherry for 30 (!) years for four more years of maturation. The casks, from Bodega González-Byass, are exceedingly rare and impart something truly unique into this whisky.

Tasting Notes:

Dried roses meet your nose as orange-zest bespeckled dark chocolate dances with hints of old book leather, vanilla husks, and sultanas. The taste holds onto the orange and chocolate tightly as a nutty, peppery, syrupy vibe takes over with a light touch of oakiness. The chocolate zeroes in its bitter qualities on the end, with a little bit more vanilla sweetness and a savory counterpoint that’s kind of like saline (or wet salt).

Bottom Line:

This is a highwater mark in sweet scotch. It feels like spring in a glass with such brightness and lightness. Yet it never overpowers your palate. It’s just … really nice.

2. Talisker 18

Diageo

ABV: 45.8%

Average Price: $250

The Whisky:

This is a classic single malt that also happens to hold the title of “Best Single Malt Whisky in the World” from the World Whiskies Awards. The iconic juice is rendered in Talisker’s bespoke stills and then spends nearly two decades resting in both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry barrels, like most of the true classic single malts.

Tasting Notes:

This is subtle. The nose has a light yet clear sense of ripe plums, orange oils, buttery toffee, and an almost sour apple next to a distant whiff of briny campfire smoke from one beach over. The orange oils remain on the palate as eggnog spices peek in gently, with hints of that butter toffee driving a rich silkiness. The smoke remains in the distance as the spices warm your senses and the meaty fruit takes the edge off on the slow and satisfying fade.

Bottom Line:

This is the peated whisky that might get you addicted to peaties. This whisky is so subtle yet distinct while never slapping you in the face with its flavor notes, especially the bigger briny and smoky ones. This with a single rock is pretty much perfection, add in a freshly shucked oyster and it is.

1. The GlenDronach Parliament Aged 21 Years

Brown-Forman

ABV: 48%

Average Price: $250

The Whisky:

Don’t let the name fool you. The “parliament” in this case is the collective noun for rooks — a type of European crow that nests above the distillery. That dark essence is rendered in the whisky through 21 long years of maturation in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks exclusively.

Tasting Notes:

There’s a lot going on with this nose, starting with blackberry brambles hanging heavy with ripe fruit leading towards a well-spiced oatmeal cookie vibe and cut with hints of orange zest and vanilla. A sticky toffee pudding sweetness arrives (heavy on the dates) with flourishes of bitter dark chocolate notes and a sharp holiday spice matrix. The end is very long but very velvety with hints of dark fruits and spices warming your body as it fades away.

Bottom Line:

This is one of my favorite all-time whiskies, so there’s that. Moreover, this is just a great dram all around, especially for anyone looking for something truly special that stills feels comfortable and nostalgic. Neat or on a single rock, this whisky will stick with you for life.

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The ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Director Claims That The Sequel Captured More Footage Than The Entire ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Trilogy

Top Gun Maverick
Paramount

As the highly anticipated sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, gets ready to fly into theaters with Tom Cruise back in the cockpit, director Joseph Kosinski and Cruise are opening up about their no CGI approach to recapturing the high altitude adrenaline rush of the ’80s classic. Part of the process involved shooting a whole lot of footage. We’re talking more than the entire length of a certain epic film trilogy.

“Out of a 12- or 14-hour day, you might get 30 seconds of good footage,” Kosinski told Empire. “But it was so hard-earned. It just took a very long time to get it all. Months and months of aerial shooting. We shot as much footage as the three Lord of the Rings movies combined. I think it was 800 hours of footage.”

According to Cruise, part of the reason for the sequel’s over-abundance of footage is that the actors were responsible for capturing their own performances during the short amount of time they got in the air:

“We had to teach the actors about lighting, about cinematography, about editing,” says star and producer Tom Cruise. “I had to teach them how to turn the cameras on and off, and about camera angles and lenses. We didn’t have unlimited time in these jets. If they were going up for 20-30 minutes, I had to make sure that we got what we needed.”

As for how much of that footage will appear in the movie remains to be seen. Obviously, the sequel won’t be 800 hours long, but as of this writing, Top Gun: Maverick hasn’t revealed its official runtime yet despite its release date coming up just on the horizon. The film maneuvers into theaters on May 27, 2022.

(Via Empire)

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Lisa Simpson Will Meet Billie Eilish And Finneas In An Upcoming ‘Simpsons’ Short, ‘When Billie Met Lisa’

Billie Eilish and Finneas Oscars Vanity Fair Party 2022
Getty Image / Lionel Hahn

Another music icon will enter The Simpsons universe. Next Friday, Billie Eilish will voice herself in When Billie Met Lisa, a new short from The Simpsons.

In When Billie Met Lisa, the lattermost searches for a quiet place to practice her saxophone. Eilish invites Lisa to her studio for the jam session of a lifetime. Joining the “Happier Than Ever” singer in the short is her brother and collaborator Finneas, who produced the entirety of her albums When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and Happier Than Ever.

When Billie Met Lisa key art
Courtesy of Disney Plus

While this is Eilish’s first spin at voice acting in the realm of Disney, this is actually Finneas’ second. Earlier this year, Finneas voiced Jesse, a member of the fictional boy band 4*Town, in the Disney Plus original movie, Turning Red.

Is EGOT-ing in the O’Connells’ future? Last month, the two won an Oscar for Best Original Song for Eilish’s “No Time To Die” from the James Bond chapter No Time To Die. The two have also won several Grammy awards, including back-to-back Record Of The Year awards in 2020 and 2021 for Eilish’s “Bad Guy” and “Everything I Wanted.” Should When Billie Met Lisa secure an Emmy nomination in the future and win, it’ll only bring them one step closer to the coveted EGOT.

When Billie Met Lisa premieres 4/22 on Disney Plus.

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Caracara Have Found Their Footing

Caracara
Mario Cabral

Over the course of my conversation with Caracara frontman William Lindsay about the band’s new sophomore album New Preoccupations, he keeps returning to this idea of restraint. It’s a surprise — and a risk — in a time where people seem to be prioritizing music that overindulges, the kind that is short but jam-packed enough to intrigue the listener in a TikTok clip or on a Spotify playlist. As attention spans dwindle, maximalist songs are on the rise.

But at the same time, there’s been a theme of heavy bands whose songs used to burst with bombast taking it down a notch and settling into more quiet landscapes. Title Fight and Hundredth both shed their signature piercing, chaotic instrumentation for a woozier, more contained sound; Lindsay name-drops Deafheaven, admiring their shift from full-on metal to becoming “post-punk [leaning].” “I think, over time, you really start to see the value of restraint,” he contemplates about the group that released the rich Infinite Granite last year, “and how much you can accomplish by simplifying arrangements and individual parts and really focusing on — I guess a corny truism — the quality over quantity of the performances you’re capturing, the tones you’re dialing in, and thinking of songs in terms of living, breathing things that don’t always need to have every element all the time.”

In thinking about Deafheaven, he recognizes the way their progression has impacted Caracara’s. “With our first record [2017’s Summer Megalith], we wanted to go super small and super huge on almost every track on the whole thing. We wanted to get our point across and scream it at you, at every step along the way,” he says. “I think with more time spent playing together, listening to music together, and thinking through all this weird stuff together, we realized that the bands that we really look up to often are really about peeling back the layers and getting to the core essence of what’s going on. Deafheaven is an incredible example. We were well aware that they can create a magnificent, ten- to twelve-minute piece that covers an enormous amount of ground, and it’s almost more impressive when they withhold that from us and show us that they can write a clean post-punk track, too. A powerful, heavier screaming vocalist that can also sing is interesting to us.”

Caracara, who are a Philly-based quartet continuing to gain a modest but devoted cult-following, do not want to be a band that ends up with a song recommended by an algorithm. This can be noticed within the first few minutes of New Preoccupations; the tender, twinkling opener “My Thousand Eyes,” which features a celestial string arrangement, immediately explodes into the following song, “Hyacinth,” a fast-paced, angsty anthem. With Carlos Pacheco-Perez on the keys, George Legatos on the bass, and Sean Gill on the drums alongside Lindsay on vocals and guitar, as well as Will Yip on production and even Circa Survive’s Anthony Green on the track “Colorglut,” the album is an immersive reckoning with the highs and lows of addiction, with revelations, panics, and memories coming and going along the way. It’s designed to be heard in full. Lindsay, however, doesn’t want to call it a concept album, a term he associates mostly with prog-rock and double albums. “The record that I think does it maybe more perfectly than any record I’ve ever heard is — and I’m not sure if it would be appropriate to call it a concept album — Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by M83,” he says. “There’s clearly a narrative there, there’s a story being told, but it’s not being thrown in your face. It’s not a plot-driven journey through a land; it’s more filmic in a way. It feels like a score to whatever it is that you’re experiencing while you’re listening to it.”

That ability for the music to resonate with its listener is a priority for Lindsay. In this way, he values restraint both in the sound and in the lyrics, not wanting to go too deep into detail about the topics he’s grappling with. “Something that I’m talking about a lot on this record is my own relationship with alcohol over the years, and coming to terms with feeling as though I had a problem, right as we were finishing writing most of this music. That’s not an experience that everyone has gone through, but I feel like through a good amount of just introspection, therapy, and recovery-minded thinking I’ve learned a lot about the different struggles that different people are going through at any given time,” he says. “And I think that in a story about addiction, there’s a lot there for anyone.”

New Preoccupations can be for anyone who has ever missed someone: “I remember you in an August way / Chiaroscuro haze / Saw you watching summer evaporate / Simple like the words you say,” he intones longingly on “Ohio,” an emotive portrait of the past. It can be for anyone who is desperate to feel something: “Atop the plateau of a vaguely restless mind / Might need a greater length of time / Between the comedown and the high,” he sings on the jaunty “Strange Interactions In The Night.” Though it’s riddled with darkness and danger, there’s something celebratory about it — a sort of gratitude for the chaos, and a wistful closing of that chapter. “I think it is easy after the fact to kind to be like, ‘Oh, that whole phase of my life was terrible. And I want to drag you through the gutter with me on this story.’ But that just that would not be honest for me to tell,” he says. “Alcohol did always provoke a sort of adventurousness in me that can be hard to come by otherwise. Through that, I’ve experienced some of the most beautiful moments of my life.” Restraint, then is also embedded within the topics he is dealing with in his lyrics; Lindsay had to step away from a source of happiness that was excessive and tumultuous to embrace simpler ways of living. But there is magic in restraint, providing someone with a fuller sense of appreciation for both the present and the past.

There is something special about reminiscing about drunk nights with a newfound sober lens, the kind that shines with clarity and acceptance. New Preoccupations and this prevalent integration of restraint represent a change in Caracara; there is more of a lucidity and understanding in the lyrics, as well as a greater patience within the sound. Caracara have found their footing; it seems that they know this, ending the album with the confident, cathartic screaming of the words “I’m finally free to let go,” repeated over and over like an incantation. This liberation is evident, and it makes their songs all the more powerful.

New Preoccupations is out now via Memory Music. Get it here.

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Thanks To Ryan Reynolds, You Can Now Pee While Staring At A Bronzed Plaque Of Rob McElhenney

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Rob McElhenney turned 45 years old today. Let’s all wish the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Mythic Quest creator and star a happy birthday. If you want to get him something, sorry but it’s too late: he already got the best present.

“As you know, I take birthdays very seriously. I’m excited to unveil the @RMcElhenney Commemorative Urinal at @Wrexham_AFC Racecourse,” actor Ryan Reynolds tweeted on Thursday. The Adam Project star also included a video of himself standing next to the plaque (featuring an unflattering photo of McElhenney) at Racecourse Ground, the home of the soccer team, sorry, football club they co-own, Wrexham A.F.C. “Today, we celebrate Mr. Co-Chairman, Robert Lucinda McElhenney, with this memorial urinal,” Reynolds says in the video before popping a celebratory bottle of champagne.

McElhenney was, um, flattered by the gesture. “My dream has always been to urinate while staring at a bronzed plaque of my face. Thank you Ryan for making dreams come true!” he tweeted.

McElhenney and Reynolds became fast friends while texting during the pandemic. “I was in Mexico and I had posted a photograph of my wife and me drinking tequila,” the It’s Always Sunny star. “I remember getting a DM from Ryan, and he was like, ‘Stop drinking that sh*t. I’m going to send you a case of Aviation Gin.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, okay, that sounds good. I’ll drink anything.’ Then Ryan said, ‘Oh, by the way, I’m a big fan of yours.’ And I said, ‘Obviously I’m a big fan of yours.’ And we just became text buddies.”

And now their friendship is immortalized in urinal form.

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Meghan McCain Reaction To Elon Musk Wanting To Buy Twitter Has Left People Wondering What The Heck She’s Talking About

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Meghan McCain has reacted to the news of Elon Musk‘s offer to buy Twitter, and in classic Meghan-style, no one can figure out what she’s trying to say. The conservative commentator fired off a tweet on Thursday morning where she lamented the amount of threats she receives on the social media platforms. McCain also name-dropped former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and claimed that he “personally called” her because of the amount of vitriol was so high.

“I’ve been on this platform 12 years & basically not a day goes by someone doesn’t threaten to kill or rape me. It’s so bad @jack personally called me about it,” McCain tweeted. “Women deserve better than what’s allowed to take place here – and the woke liberals in Silicon Valley don’t give a sh*t.”

Here’s where McCain’s message gets confusing. She seems to be saying that the situation on Twitter got so bad because of “wokeness,” and it’s very hard to read if she believes Musk will improve the situation. If she thinks Musk will somehow stamp out the “wokeness” and improve Twitter, McCain is sorely mistaken because the Tesla CEO is pushing for less content moderation. He’s a “free speech absolutist,” which essentially means anything goes.

If McCain thinks Musk taking over Twitter will be bad, she chose the most convoluted way to express that point because it definitely doesn’t come through in her tweet. Her main gripe seems to be that “woke liberals” allowed Twitter threats to run rampant, which more content moderation, not less, would fix. If McCain fears Musk will exacerbate the problem, she should just say that. Instead, she griped about “wokeness” and highlighted a problem that Musk has no intention of solving.

You can see reactions to McCain’s tweet below:

(Via Meghan McCain on Twitter)

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Tomberlin Walks Us Through A Day In Her Life In The New ‘Sunstruck’ Video

Tomberlin has released several therapeutic songs ahead of the release of her upcoming second album, I Don’t Know Who Needs To Hear This.... On her latest, “Sunstruck,” she finds solace in her own company.

In the Ryan Schnackenberg-directed visual, we see Tomberlin in a photoshoot, applying and removing her makeup, riding through the city in a car, and walking along the beach. The beach is where she ends her day, basking in the sounds of the ocean and in the sight of the sun setting.

“This is an aerial view love song that is also not a love song,” said Tomberlin in a statement. “It is more a love song to forced distance, time alone with yourself, letting go, searching for yourself and the healing that takes place when you make those things an active focus in your life,” says Sarah Beth Tomberlin. “These things are choices, they don’t just happen on their own. You can choose to practice them or you can choose stagnancy. This is a love song to the growth that often can take place if you choose to tend to your own life’s garden.”

Check out “Sunstruck” above.

I Don’t Know Who Needs To Hear This… is out 4/29 via Saddle Creek. Pre-save it here.

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Maren Morris Makes A Surprise Appearance At John Mayer’s Nashville Concert

John Mayer was joined by a special guest last night during a stop on his Sob Rock tour. During his performance in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena, Maren Morris surprised the audience on stage as the two opened the concert with Mayer’s live band for a performance of the Sob Rock track, “Last Train Home.”

Later on in the show, Morris joined Mayer, as they dueted the fan-favorite “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room” from Mayer’s 2006 album Continuum. Following the performance, Morris proclaimed, “My high school self just died.”

Though this is the first time the two have dueted vocally, the two previously collaborated at 2021 Grammy Awards, where Mayer played guitar and vocally harmonized during Morris’ performance of “The Bones,” a standout track from her 2019 album, Girl. Morris is also credited as a background vocalist on the album version of “Last Train Home.”

Ahead of last year’s Grammy’s, Morris spoke to People of her friendship with Mayer, saying, “He’s just smart as a whip. He is also really, really thoughtful and he internalizes every other word he says. I feel like it’s kind of adorable.”

Check out Mayer and Morris’ performance of “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room” above.