Once upon a time, Las Vegas was a desert oasis of style synonymous with the Rat Pack and effortless cool. With its not-so-humble mob roots, there was a certain etiquette that governed the often illicit activities. Crass with class, if you will. This early incarnation is a thing of lore, romanticized in film, and up until my most recent trip, I thought it was extinct.
For almost a decade, I told myself Vegas was not my vibe. Even as an avid music lover, I never made a move to EDC or caught one of the famed artist residencies. I’d lived my own renditions of Fear and Loathing and The Hangover and sworn off the city of sin. To be fair, I’d always done the deed as a single man which definitely fueled some of the shenanigans which need not be mentioned. This time, when my girlfriend and I were invited for a quick 24 hours of fun, I got to see a different side of the city and it changed my tune.
PART I — Getting There
We flew out on a Friday afternoon. A quick hop from Los Angeles, Vegas is only a 45-minute flight. With round trips starting as low as $90, and I’m not talking Spirit, the carrier pigeon of all major airlines, the grown-up in me no longer had an excuse to bear the drive I’d taken so many times before.
In fairness, I suppose everyone should do it once. The desert landscape is truly stunning; however, having earned that merit badge on multiple occasions, we passed on the scenic route. Less than 90 minutes from the time we boarded our flight back in LA, my lady and I were already in an Uber cruising down the strip in Vegas. Our winning streak had begun.
PART II — Home Base
Wynn
The next level of our grown-up decision train was planting ourselves firmly at the Wynn & Encore towers. While there is obviously no shortage of options for accommodations and entertainment in LV, keeping ourselves within the Wynn ecosystem streamlined every move to come in a way that felt, frankly, comforting.
No, the Wynn complex isn’t the newest thing to hit the strip; however, it is, by any measure, on the top tier in every statistical category. From their exceptional selection of dining and nightlife to world-class shopping and entertainment, they’re hard to beat if you’re looking to get it all under one roof. Oh yeah, and they’ve got a golf course. The only hotel on the strip that can say as much, the Wynn boasts a full 18 holes on site. I didn’t get my strokes in this round, but I’ve officially tacked it onto the to-do list.
The Room:
Though we didn’t spend too much time in it, we got a Panoramic View King room in the Encore Tower. Modern but not overly minimalist, everything in the design felt perfectly in place. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors on the walls matched the equal-length windows looking out over the strip. Aside from all the usual lights of Las Vegas Blvd, we found ourselves with a welcome and whimsical view of the new-ish MSG Sphere, which changes its graphics constantly.
The overall vibe was refined and sexy without trying too hard.
Encore
The Wynn boasts their own line of custom pillow-top mattresses and I must say the bed game on the whole was a 10/10 from the thread count on down. At the end of any inevitably long night out in Vegas, you want your room to feel as comfortable as it is stylish. When we finally nested in, it was all deep exhales with no groans of discontent.
PART III — Pre-Game
After a quick refresher and outfit change, we dropped down onto the casino floor. It was a bustling Friday scene, but gambling was not in the cards. Passing by the temptation of all the games of chance, we bet on a sure thing and went straight to the Tower Suites Bar to meet the rest of our crew. More of an elegant lounge than a bar per se, the Tower Suites Bar is designed like a lavish living room. It’s got a refreshing calm and quiet to it that grants a reprieve from the big bustle of the casino floor and is quiet enough for real conversations in a normal speaking voice.
Aryeh-Or
With an impressive signature cocktail list, I opted for ‘The Mystic’ an agave-based (Tequila + Mezcal) twist on an Old Fashioned with a hand-torched touch. Literally, they used a torch and a clay skull with an herbal blend to add a layer of smoke as a topper to the glass. Both the palate and the presentation were top-notch. I liked it so much, I ordered it twice. I could have easily gone for three of a kind, but I kept it tame knowing that this was just the beginning of a long night.
The real excitement started at dinner.
PART IV — Feast
For fine dining with all the right kind of flare, we chose Delilah. A tent pole venue from the always immaculate H Wood group, Delilah brings back that signature saucy style that the Vegas legends were built on. Literally, Wynn’s president of Design and Development, Todd Avery-Lenahan, drew reference from showrooms of the bygone era by data-mining old photos from the Strip to pick up nuances and details.
The result is a veritable time machine.
Delilah
Delilah’s high ceilings and open floor plan give everyone in the house a full view of the massive stage where a full band in suits and ties turn rock classics and top 40 hits into downtempo jazzy arrangements. A stunning singer in a sequined dress wraps the whole room around her little finger as she reinterprets some of our favorite melodies. Throughout the night, girls dressed as if they came straight out of a Baz Luhrman film glide through the crowd in crystal-encrusted dresses carrying long feather fans. It’s the perfect blend of spectacle to complement a meal while not demanding that you pay attention at any point.
All that said, we only saw this part of Delilah as we walked in. We had something more in store.
Taking it up yet another notch, we were escorted back through the kitchen where a small and unassuming door opened to reveal “the chef’s table.” An intimate eight-seat masterpiece with its own bar and dedicated staff, this truly felt like we were living in a mob movie. Champagne was poured. Giant platters of oysters and crustaceans dropped at either end of the table. Dish after dish, we were treated to a taste of the best that Delilah had to offer.
Delilah
With old friends and a few new ones, we laughed and shared stories over the family-style feast. One of the new friends I was introduced to at that table was a very laid-back and convivial young man named Charlie, whose alter ego I’d get to know later that night as Acraze. Charlie and I got to chatting about music, the love of hunting for a great sample, Burning Man and much more. Before too long, he had to excuse himself to get ready for his set that night.
I’d never heard him spin before, but just by the energy at dinner, I knew we’d be in good hands when our feet hit the dance floor.
PART V — Acraze at XS
After a quick post-meal wardrobe change, it was time to work off the decadent meal and dance the night away. We linked up with Acraze and his crew and were ushered in through the back of XS, the sprawling indoor/outdoor poolside club at the Encore. XS is hardly the new kid on the block as clubs go. In fact, it’s one of the older super clubs in Vegas, having first opened its doors on NYE in 2008.
Still, XS has not only kept up with the times, it’s pushed the envelope and taunted others to do the same.
XS
I got to have a brief chat with Wynn’s AVP of Day/Nightlife Ryan Jones. He shared that a key component in XS’s continued success is intentional evolution. Borrowing from the hottest clubs in Ibiza, Mykonos, and even Nashville blues bars, Jones and his team have actively sought ingredients from around the world to keep XS not only relevant but regarded on the top shelf as clubs go.
In his own words, “We’re in the game of competing globally, not locally.” To that end, they do not skimp on talent. A club is only a room until a great artist breathes life into it. Acraze did just that and then some.
Typical Tom
The moment he took the stage and lit up the decks, Acraze discarded the unassuming demeanor that I’d met over dinner and showed his true colors. With a deft ear and a pleasantly surprising blend of genres, Acraze led us on a sonic journey. Mixing in deep cuts from Guns & Roses to Missy Elliot and of course his own breakout hit “Do It To It”, he kept us on our toes in every sense.
We danced the decadent dinner off and then some. I’ll admit it, as a musician myself I’m picky and can be quick to judge when a DJ is not in the pocket. I have no reservations in saying that Acraze did not let us down for a single beat. From the first drop to the last, Acraze is all A-Game!
PART VI — Recovery
Wynn
After all the decadent shenanigans of the night, we gave ourselves an equally extravagant recovery regimen and booked massages at The Spa at Encore. The Forbes five-star facility lived up to every other aspect of our trip. From the moment you enter the neo-victorian lobby with its dazzling faux atrium to the monastery-like halls within, the facility transports you to a world far away from the chaos of the city. The ‘Good Luck Ritual’ is The Spa at Encore Las Vegas’ signature treatment, designed around the Chinese elements using a combination of oils and hot towels in a way I’d never experienced. Frankly, it might have been the best massage I’ve ever had.
Another hour of saunas and cold plunges and I felt reborn and ready to do it all over again. I certainly would have, but alas, we had a plane to catch. That was the final key to making this the best Vegas trip yet — we knew when to fold ’em and leave the Wynn on a win.
POST SCRIPT:
The best way to do Vegas is with a squad and a plan. Lock in beforehand and leave little to no room for the variable temptations that all too often lead to regret. Our “keep it in the building” model this go round went off without a hitch. The greatest added bonus of not “chasing it” was having quality of interpersonal time that feeds real relationships. Acraze and I have already gotten to catch up and chat further after leaving the lights behind us. That’ll be a write-up for another time but I’m excited to see and share more about what he’s got cooking. The bottom line — Vegas is what you make of it and I am finally a full fan.
It’s no secret that our favorite celebrities do a lot of traveling. Whether it be for business or pleasure, it doesn’t exactly come as a surprise that they spend far more time in the air than most. There’s even a website that allows fans to track their planes, CelebrityPrivateJetTracker. On this site, there’s also a leaderboard, which reveals exactly how many private flights certain celebrities have taken. Various rappers have earned high spots on this list, including Diddy, Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Drake, and more.
Diddy has taken 308 flights on his Gulfstream V, for example, totaling 415,139 miles. Travis Scott has taken 293 flights on his Embraer E-190, which adds up to 402,344 miles. Jay-Z has taken 291 flights on his Gulfstream V, or 386,642 miles.
CelebrityPrivateJetTracker Allows Fans To Track Their Favorite Artists’ Flights
Apr 20, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse (left) and Recording artist Drake (right) against the Philadelphia 76ers during game three of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. John E. Sokolowski / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As for Drake, he’s taken a total of 116 flights on his Boeing 767, or 77,026 miles. He was reportedly gifted the plane back in 2019, and now refers to it as “Air Drake.” In August of this year, he unveiled some big renovation plans for the aircraft. Instead of the bottom of the plane saying “If you’re reading this we left,” it now says “Chances are she’s onboard.” The sky-blue cloud design on the exterior was dreamed up by the late Virgil Abloh.
In the past, various artists including Drake have received backlash for seemingly excessive use of their private jets. In 2022, for instance, critics noticed that he took three flights under 20 minutes within a month. He later took to Instagram to clarify. “This is just them moving planes to whatever airport they are being stored at for anyone who was interested in the logistics…nobody takes that flight,” he wrote.
Small-town authenticity is a selling point in music right now. Let us remind you — and we’re sorry for this — of Jason Aldean and his viral hit “Try That In A Small Town.” That song has all sorts of issues for all sorts of reasons, but one of the most ironic is that Aldean, despite what his small-town anger anthem might suggest, grew up in Macon Georgia (not a particularly small town), and currently calls Nashville (very much not a small town) home these days.
Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan is the opposite of that — The Grammy Award nominee is actually from a small town, Strafford, Vermont (population 1,105), and exudes the kind of community-focused good vibes you’d expect from a small-town guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and sings about said heart while strumming a guitar. Dude grew up on a tree farm — need we say more?
Kahan is legit, authentic, warm, and inviting — that was apparent in our first minute of talking to him.
We linked up with Kahan ahead of his upcoming concert at Charleston, South Carolina’s Riviera Theater on November 30th, American Express Presents: Celebrating Small Business Saturday With Noah Kahan, to talk about his upcoming concert, his plans for 2025 (spoiler, he’s working on the next album), and what it was like playing Fenway Park at the close of his “We’ll All Be Here Forever” headlining tour.
Since Kahan is linking up with American Express to champion small business, we also checked to see if he was the real deal by asking him to shout out some of his favorite Vermont small businesses, to which he gave us some solid reccs. Let’s dive in!
Tell me a bit about this performance with American Express. What is it all about and why’d you want to partner with them?
Well, American Express highlighting small businesses, and supporting small businesses is a really fundamental part of my life. I grew up in a place where we didn’t have a lot of chain stores, there wasn’t big corporate overlords supporting us. It was the people of the town. I grew up in a town with one store, well, one small business. There was a couple but one grocery store market, and it was so important to have that because it’s the convenience store or grocery store is the heart of the town. You can have the town hall and you have the library, but where you’re going to see the most people every day is at the grocery store.
And that was a really big part of my life, seeing friends there, seeing people I grew up with, having friends and family work there, watching the heart of the community grow. That store was Coburns’ General Store in Strafford. The past couple of years they’re transitioning away from Coburns and the Coburns family is trying to sell and move the store and it really impacts the whole town more than you realize. So getting a chance to support other small businesses and help be a part of raising those businesses up is really important to me and is kind of part of my central mission in my career, and a big part of my childhood.
In your experience going from small-town guy to one of the biggest artists right now, what do small businesses have and what makes them so vital that bigger businesses don’t?
I think it’s really as simple as the personal touch. They represent what the town represents, instead of represent an interest of a corporation or a larger entity that is hoping to make money off of people. I think when you’re paying money to your neighbor to buy bread, it’s different than when you’re paying money to a giant corporation that doesn’t care about you. It feels like you’re supporting each other. I know it’s not, obviously it’s transactional and you still spend money on things and you have to pay for your items and they get paid, but you know who you’re helping and who you’re supporting. I think that goes a really long way and it also represents the mood in town. You can really get a feel for what’s happening in your area by just being and existing in those spaces.
When there’s no other option, that place becomes incredibly vital to what the town means and what it looks like. I think living in a city now, I see so much choice and you don’t feel like anything really matters because another place just like that will pop up. And when you live in a place that has just that one place or just those few businesses that keep everything going, it feels like something that represents who you are and where you’re from. I really find that small business is a reflection of what the town is and not just another place to buy salad.
You played Fenway Park recently. What can you tell us about that experience?
I mean, that was the most incredible experience of my life. Every other experience afterwards has felt like the first minutes of morning after you wake up from the best dream you ever had, where it’s just like, “Oh, right, this is life.” It was so surreal. There was just something so magical that I’d never experienced on stage. I’ve played hundreds and hundreds and made thousands of shows now and nothing I ever felt quite as special.
Just the atmosphere and the energy and looking up and seeing the green monster and seeing Fenway Park and all my family and friends being there, but also this album that really was a testament and a ode to New England. Being in what I feel like is the heart of New England, which is Fenway Park and getting a chance to finish off the tour there. It was just so perfect. It was very much like the last scene in a movie. So it was cool to play a place where I’ve been going to to see ballgames my whole life.
I want to turn a little bit to your upbringing in Vermont and get a little more on a travel angle here. Just off the top of your head, what are some of your favorite food spots in Vermont?
Oh, there’s a bunch of great food spots in Vermont. They’re usually kind of far between each other, but there’s a lot of great places to get food. There’s so much great farming and produce and just agricultural wealth in Vermont, so you find a lot of great really fresh food. A good example of that is the Worthy Burger in South Royalton, Vermont. It’s just an amazing burger place and it’s very much Vermont. It’s like a little bar and it’s always got folk music playing and there’s a huge beer list and you can get like CBD infused beers, but the burgers are just so good. The fries are so good. The staff is always really kind and again, you see someone you know every time you go there.
And I can never tell with Vermont food if it’s really good or if I’m just nostalgic about it. But I think Worthy Burger’s probably one of the better burgers I’ve had in my life and everyone’s doing the Smashburger style now and I do like a Smashburger, but Worthy Burger does a nice girthy burger. It’s like a real burger and it just feels classic and very, very Vermont to me.
Worthy Burger
What’s your go-to order? Do you just like a classic burger build or something more out there?
I throw a fried egg on that fucker. I put a fried egg on it, a little jalapeno. The problem is I feel like burgers, when you put that much stuff on, it just becomes so messy. That’s kind of part of the experience. Your hands are covered in egg sauce and aioli and you just kind of feel gross for a couple minutes afterwards. But it’s so good and they have really good truffle fries too, and they have this spicy, I don’t know if it’s a spicy honey mustard, some kind of spicy aioli sauce. That’s so good. And I’ve tried to recreate it at home and it is not nearly as good.
What about bars in Vermont? What’s the go-to watering hole for you?
I actually spent a lot more time in Vermont bars as a kid because I was doing open mic nights that were all over bars in Vermont and New Hampshire. The most jovial, fun Vermont scene bar I’ve been to is Skunk Hollow Tavern. It’s just an awesome tiny little bar. There’s really barely enough room to walk around, it’s really tight in there, but it’s such a perfect Vermont atmosphere. They do a lot of live music and there’s just so much beer and so many great drinks available and it’s in a really pretty part of town. My other favorite place would probably have to be, well, EBA’s was my favorite place growing up. Everything But Anchovies in Hanover, New Hampshire but unfortunately it closed down. That was an amazing bar.
It was owned by a lovely family and they had great pizza and great food and my best friend’s parents owned the place and I would know everyone working there. And it was a really special place. And another great example of small business leaving town and really affecting where we would go. That was such a huge part of our lives. You go to the high school football game and get drunk and then go to EBA’s afterwards and hang out with all your friends from high school until 2:00 A.M. until your parents realized that you were not home yet.
There’s so many stories associated with these places in my childhood.
Another great one is Jesse’s in Hanover, New Hampshire, kind of close to Lebanon New Hampshire. And it’s just an amazing, amazing place. It has great seafood and steaks, but it’s also has the best open mic nights. You’ll see really, really talented artists go there. And I’ll go there every Thursday with my mom and we play Jesse’s and the host and I would grab a baked potato and then I’d get home. And I don’t know, I feel like a lot of my love for small business is nostalgic, but I think that’s great about small businesses is they kind of create memories for you. You don’t have nostalgic memories of Chipotle.
Would you say those open mic places are the best place to catch a show in Vermont and the surrounding area? Where do people go who are looking for music?
I would say if you’re looking to go see a bigger artist coming through Vermont, then you’re going to want to go over to Burlington, Vermont to go to Higher Ground. Lots of great artists pass through Higher Ground. I think I probably played it like 100 times. I sold the most tickets in history there, I think are the most sold out shows in a row. And it was really cool because when I was younger, I would go there for the Vermont singer-songwriter competitions and lose every year. So being able to go back and break the venue record for sold out shows was a real full circle moment.
But if you want to go see a show in Hanover, there’s a Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, New Hampshire that I saw my first ever show at, Great Big Sea at the Lebanon Opera house. It must’ve been like 2004. That’s another great place to see music.
Gosh, there’s that place but also Sawtooth in Hanover, New Hampshire has an underground bar with a little music stage. You can catch some really talented local acts, whether they’re from Hanover, from Dartmouth College, there’s great music there too. So I’d recommend any of those three places.
What do you think people overlook the most about Vermont?
I think people probably assume it’s just a beautiful place for seeing leaves change and maybe skiing, but there’s so much. Not only just nature, obviously there’s great fishing and great hiking and great cross-country skiing, bird watching, all these beautiful natural elements. But like I said, they have great food. They have Ben and Jerry’s, we’ve got Cabot cheese. If you look and you’re willing to drive 45 minutes out of your way, you can find some of the best food you’ll have in your life.
What’s the plan for 2025?
2025 is going to be about making my next record, getting into new music. We have a few shows, but I’m really taking time to explore what’s next for me musically. And it’s a lot more work than I remember, sitting down and making records. We’re in the midst of doing that again and it’s a fun challenge. It’s hard, but after two and a half years in the road, I’m really excited to explore myself a little bit. I feel like I stopped doing that for a while and it’s a really cool opportunity to remember who I am and get back to doing what I think I do the best, which is write songs.
What’s inspiring you right now?
That’s a good question. I really think just sitting in what I’m feeling is inspiring me in a weird way. I am inspired by actually experiencing life, and that’s even the most mundane shit, like just stressing about bills or going to the grocery store or having family come visit. These things that I never got to do for the past two and a half years with this album. Doing what I did, it just forced me to travel so much. So just getting to deal with the situational every day, life experience has been really, really inspiring. And also thinking a lot about my childhood and my friendships and what it’s like growing up in Vermont and living the life that I did and trying to dig deeper into that.
I feel like I’m not done with New England, that I’m not done with where I’m from, and there’s a lot more to explore there. So kind of continuing to explore childhood Vermont, but also just life.
Just before I let you go, do you have a pick for your personal album of the year? It doesn’t have to have been released this year, just something that you can’t bring your ear away from.
Oh yeah, great question. Son of Dad by Stephen Wilson Jr. is a pretty spectacular album.
Join the waitlist for tickets to American Express Presents: Celebrating Small Business Saturday With Noah Kahan here.
Depending on who you ask Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet was the album of the summer (if you ask me, that honor goes to Charli), and with the album debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200, viral videos for the singles “Please Please Please” and “Taste,” the near ubiquitousness of Espresso (I couldn’t go into an Uber, a gym, or a store this year without hearing it blasting from speakers), nobody can deny that 2024 has been the best year in Sabrina’s career.
Even though summer is over, if you’re a Carpenter — what Sabrina affectionally calls her fan base — Sabrina has been keeping you fed. For her Short ’N Sweet tour, Sabrina is making headlines and filling social feeds with her fun, light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek stage show, her kitschy meme-worthy merch, and a series of pop-up takeover cafes that have hit New York City, Chicago, and this weekend, Los Angeles.
The LA Short N’ Sweet Cafe will run from November 15-17 between the hours of 9 AM – 7 PM and is being presented at Melrose’s Verve Coffee Roasters (a solid coffee shop in its own right) and offers limited edition merch, a full Sabrina-inspired menu, and all sorts of staged photo opportunities that look… straight out of a Sabrina Carpenter music video. The pop-up was made in partnership with Cash App, which we’re only mentioning because using the app will score you a 30% discount on a single transaction.
We hit up the Short N’ Sweet Cafe to give you the full details on what to expect.
What’s The Vibe?
Dane Rivera
Sabrina Carpenter is the vibe. Cute outfits, perfect makeup, get your poses ready — I showed up to the pop-up wearing what I thought was an okay outfit, but I felt a little underdressed considering all the super fans and influencers who were dressed to impress.
What we’re trying to say is, don’t slump on the fit — you might be visiting a coffee shop in the middle of the day, but almost everyone is dressed like they’re hitting the club after.
The Menu
Dane Rivera
As a coffee connoisseur, I was thoroughly impressed by the menu, which featured all sorts of delicious iced and hot lattes named or themed after Sabrina Carpenter songs and lyrics. The menu also has several pastries, but they were sadly unavailable at the preview event.
I tried two drinks, the Honeybee Draft Latte and the Heartbreak Jamaica. The Honeybee featured a mix of lavender, honey, espresso, and milk, and featured a floral and herbaceous flavor that hovered nicely over vivid toasty coffee notes.
Dane Rivera
The Heartbreak Jamaica couldn’t be more different despite being iced. The drink featured hibiscus and coffee cherry, providing a flavor that was well-balanced between tangy, sweet, floral, and bitter-tasting notes.
I honestly wanted to try the full menu but I was buzzing on caffeine after the two drinks.
The Merch
Dane Rivera
The merch was typical concert fodder: shirts, bags, hoodies, socks, as well as coffee mugs, but everything is very, well, Sabrina. For example, one shirt featured a graphic print of lacy lingerie over a plain white t-shirt cut. It’s a sleep shirt that lets you have things both ways, which feels kitschy and very in line with the Short ’N Sweet aesthetic.
Prices for the merch go as low as $15 and as high as $80.
The Photo Ops
Dane Rivera
Aside from the menu, the photo ops are the real draw of the pop-up experience. There are several stage set-ups with vintage-inspired furniture that recalls the ’50 and ‘60s that’ll have you looking like you’re starring in your very own Sabrina Carpenter video.
But in my opinion, it’s the more naturalistic sets that use the Verve coffee shop architecture that look the best. Posing in front of a Sabrina-emblazoned backdrop on a lip-shaped couch is one thing, but sitting on beautifully paved steps while sipping coffee with the sunshine hitting your perfect fit? That’s some straight-up Gossip Girl Blair Waldorf shit.
All in all, the Short ’N Sweet Cafe offers a lot for die-hard Sabrina Carpenter fans, and a good enough menu that even non-fans will find something to enjoy.
The Short ’N Sweet Cafe can be found at Verve Coffee Roasters in Melrose, 8925 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
This was Zach Johnston’s first article on Uproxx. Seeing as to how he’s become something of an institution around these parts, we decided to re-run it to celebrate his work anniversary.
David Bowie’s death never really hit home until I attended the Tilda Swinton-hosted memorial at this year’s Berlinale [the year was 2015] and watched Nicolas Roeg’s bizarrely brilliant The Man Who Fell to Earth unspool in all its 35mm glory. Bowie and Roeg premiered The Man Who Fell to Earth at the 1976 Berlinale, and shortly afterward Bowie moved to Berlin. As the last reel of film flickered into darkness, I sat alone for a few minutes, letting the theater empty, then decided to go for a walk in the wintry German capital I call home. It was cold, but I had a coat and I felt like seeing a few of Bowie’s old hangouts.
First, I headed to Hauptstrasse 155 — where Bowie and Iggy Pop lived. As I walked down the Hauptstrasse, I passed a construction site. The smell of burning aluminum studs took me back to my dad’s workshop in Port Townsend, Washington. This is where I first heard Bowie, back in the ’80s. You know, the nineteenhundreds.
One day on a trip to the library, I’d checked out a cassette tape of Peter and the Wolf as narrated by that dude in that funny pose on one of my old man’s vinyls. As my dad sharpened a chainsaw — the smell of oil and steel wafting towards me with every swish of the file against the chain — we listened to David Bowie talk about a kid capturing a wolf. That voice. So British. So entrancing.
I was spellbound. From there we’d listen to Heroes, Aladdin Sane, Man Who Sold the World, and so on. That first cassette tape in the workshop started something… me and my dad listening to David Bowie together.
As I grew up, I didn’t really think about Bowie too much. He was just another powerful musician my dad introduced me to (along with Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy Kilmister, and so, so many others), that is until I moved to Berlin. In Berlin, Bowie and I were fellow expatriates and I felt connected in some odd way.
With the construction site behind me, I arrived at Hauptstrasse 155. There were a dozen or so people gathered: some standing in silence, some crying, most taking photos with their phones. Mounds of flowers, candles, and hastily processed fan art littered the sidewalk.
Lou Reed had been in Berlin for a while by the time Bowie co-produced Reed’s amazingly dark and poignant Berlin album, and Reed sold Berlin to Bowie as a place to reset without the gaze of the media. He promised Bowie that you could ride down the street on a bike to the shop, or go to a disco without being mobbed. Bowie was sold.
Bowie moved to a crumbling and still bullet-riddled Berlin in 1976. He’d just finished Station to Station and had officially hung up the neon leotards of Ziggy. He wanted to get off the cocaine and put his life back together and West Berlin seemed like the perfect place to do so. In what was probably the most badass roommate situation of all time, Bowie moved in with Iggy Pop in the West Berlin district of Schoenberg. Let that sink in a moment — the same time Bowie was making his Berlin Trilogy, Iggy Pop was making The Idiot and Lust for Life. That’s five iconic albums made by a couple of guys living together in one rundown flat in Berlin. If you believe in magic, then there is some serious magic in that building.
The same year Bowie decided to call West Berlin home, he started painting and drawing. He opened up a new side to his artistry that would carry him throughout his career. But it was the music that would become the true calling card of his time in Berlin. It was during these years that Bowie, Brian Eno, and Tony Visconti would create the mystical and profound Berlin Trilogy. Berlin also allowed Bowie the sort of anonymity that he needed after the whirlwind of mass stardom he achieved with Ziggy Stardust.
I paid my respects to Bowie at his and Iggy’s door and carried on up the Hauptstrasse towards Potsdamer Platz. I wanted to go to Hansa Ton Studios where Bowie recorded. Every morning, he would ride his bike along the same route I was traveling. Without a bike, it took 20 minutes before I got close, but zeroing in on the studio wasn’t easy. I walked beneath the glass towers that loom over Potsdamer Platz and got lost on the backstreets. Hansa Ton is about as innocuous a building as you can imagine — just a single shingle hanging above the door.
Bowie had written a lot of music for The Man Who Fell to Earth that, in the end, was left unused. A lot of that music would become Low. It’s a very somber album. The A-side is lyrical. The B-side is mostly instrumental and conceptual. Though recorded in Bowie’s home in France, it was mixed at the famous Hansa Ton Studios in West Berlin, which at the time was set against the Berlin Wall. Bowie and Visconti recount how East German soldiers would watch them work through high-powered binoculars, day and night, and write down what they were doing. Low set Bowie on a new path musically and visually. Just look at that cover (Bowie as The Man Who Fell to Earth no less).
During those early days in Berlin, Bowie discovered that his art could be pop, personal, political, and innovative all at the same time. Sometimes the act didn’t have to just be an act. Sometimes the act could be you, your surroundings, and life as it happens. Low was a success and the following album, Heroes, was even bigger. The record was conceived, recorded, and mixed in West Berlin — it was the sum total of his new life, his new views, his new career.
It was also a hit machine that managed to touch on what Bowie was witnessing in Berlin. In 1977, while Bowie, Visconti, and Eno were being spied on in Hansa Ton Studios, two people were killed trying to cross the wall. One of them was shot dead. The other drowned trying to swim the River Spree. With that context, Bowie’s lyrics seem even more potent.
“I, I can remember Standing by the wall And the guns, shot above our heads And we kissed, as though nothing could fall And the shame was on the other side Oh we can beat them, forever and ever Then we could be heroes, just for one day”
With Heroes, Bowie had fully reinvented himself and added to the growing list of great albums influenced by life in Berlin: from Lou Reed’s druggy epic Berlin to Iggy’s Lust for Life, and even later in the ’80s to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ The Firstborn Is Dead and U2’s Zoo Station.
After standing outside the studio, I wandered toward the Paris Bar where Bowie got so drunk during a Rolling Stone interview that he ended it by rolling around in the ice outside in an absinthe fit. These days, the restaurant bar feels too trendy for my taste. I opted to carry on back to Kreuzberg where I ended up drinking at Luzia — where Iggy, Reed, and Bowie drank too.
Of course, Bowie’s records were spinning while I sipped my Sazerac. The crowd was pretty small and quiet for a Friday night. And then Lodger started to play. I sat and listened to the album from start to finish for the first time in my life. It felt like we were all sitting there, sipping our drinks, and just listening. It was eerie and comforting at the same time and I decided it was time for a dram of absinthe.
Lodger would signal the end of this iteration of Bowie’s rebirth, and his collaborations with Eno (for a time). Lodger was mostly written and recorded while on the road during the Isolar II World Tour. Though it wasn’t made in Berlin, it was inspired by the events having led up to that point because of Berlin. Lodger failed commercially and critically. Though it has received a resurgence and reassessment, it will forever be considered the weakest of Bowie’s Berlin triptych. But it’s evident in Lodger that a new era of Bowie was emerging. His music and style would become political and inclusive and lead to a whole new era of Bowie that we got in the ’80s. When Bowie left Berlin, he left a new man and a wholly changed artist.
In 1987, Bowie gathered his band for a concert at the Berlin Wall in front of the still-burned and bombed-out Reichstag. He turned as many speakers towards the east as the west. On the East side of the Wall, hundreds gathered to try and catch a few notes of the concert. Hundreds turned into thousands. As Bowie launched into Heroes, riots broke out as the thousands of East Berliners gathered and started to chant, “Tear down the Wall!” Police brutalized and arrested them. East Berliners raged back. Many think it was Rocky Balboa that ended the Cold War. But I like to think Bowie had a hand in it, too, pointing his speakers at the disenfranchised and isolated East Berliners and giving them something to fight for.
In the days since Bowie’s death, vinyls of his immense discography spin in every corner of Berlin. Memorials and street art continue to pop up. Even the Mayor has chimed in, calling Bowie “one of us.” There’s a petition to change one block of Hauptstrasse to David-Bowie-Strasse. Berliners love their freaks.
The city weeps for their adopted son. I didn’t go to the places Lou Reed lived and worked in Berlin when he died. But I did with Bowie. As I was walking the streets, with Heroes echoing in my ears, I realized that Bowie represented what I had moved to Berlin to chase — reinvention — whereas Reed represented a place I didn’t want to go back to — the darkness of drugs, failed relationships, and generational anger. Bowie had some of that edge too, but he was weird enough and bold enough to infuse it with a bright future.
As I shuffled home, the absinthe provided a nice buffer between me and the biting Berlin cold. My mind drifted back to a hot summer in Berlin a few years ago. The streets were muggy and smelled of tobacco smoke, car exhaust, and dust. The neo-classic apartment with high ceilings I loved when I moved to the city was seeming less and less like a good idea and more like a blast furnace. I remembered sitting in my apartment, sweating, and trying to get a one-year-old baby boy to sleep in the unbearable heat. My heart raced as the cries got louder and more shrill. Like any desperate parent, I clamored to find something to soothe him, scanning playlist after playlist.
And there it was, Bowie narrating Peter and the Wolf. I put it on and heard Bowie’s voice, so refined, so British, explaining all the instruments. It was the cool breeze my son needed. The cries stopped almost immediately (almost magically). Ten minutes later, he was asleep, and I was back in the shop with my dad.
As I keyed into my door, memory and walk complete, I smiled — thinking of that day and the day in my dad’s workshop decades earlier. I thought of how Berlin changed Bowie and Bowie changed me and how, even in death, that cycle can continue as long as there is art to poke holes into the darkness.
If you are in Berlin, and interested in Bowie, you can take an organized tour or follow the links in this article and do it for free!
A great experience, like a great meal, starts with basic ingredients. The preparation and presentation are what turn the raw materials into fine dining or, in the case of my most recent trip, fine dancing. From Oct 18-21st, The W Hotel Amsterdam took their on-the-pulse sense of style, partnered with the fast-growing French production company Cercle, and flung their doors open to all the flavors of the Amsterdam Dance Event — a week-long, city-wide celebration of EDM, drawing big name artists and industry insiders from across the globe.
The result was a metaphorically Michelin-worthy week of programming and parties. A far cry from the glorious chaos of Burning Man only a month prior, this week was curated to a T.
The undeniable success of the event started with aesthetics — something the W brand has hung its hat on since they popped onto the scene and virtually created the playbook for modern luxury hotels. Located in the very center of the city, the Amsterdam W boasts a two-building complex that pairs together perfectly. On one side, the “Bank Building” features a more classic European exterior and a series of suites that blend old-world charm with just the right touch of modern flair. Across the narrow red brick road, the “Exchange Building” leans into a clean, minimalist motif with modern art touches around every corner.
This was my home for the week. Not a bad base for some revelry.
W Hotels
Upon arrival, I found all the essentials for a week of partying laid on my bed — a sleek black reusable water bottle, high-quality earplugs designed for the dance floor, a scented candle for the comedown, and even a coconut milk face mask for recharging. Sitting on the desk I found a fresh fruit tart with a happy birthday message drizzled in dark chocolate. (My actual b-day was Monday. I arrived on Wed… Three cheers for celebrating the full birthday week!)
As I made my way up to the roof to meet one of my liaisons for the week, I walked through Mr. Porter, a five-star steak house that opens up with a glass-walled, dry aging meat locker that looks more like a high-end retail display window than a pantry. I’ve been vegan for seven years now so I didn’t get to make the most of this meat lover’s menagerie; however, throughout the week I heard multiple people raving about their menu. If you’re partial to a steak dinner, consider this a must while visiting. The restaurant features 180 degrees worth of floor-to-ceiling windows that give patrons a beautiful view of the city, including the Royal Palace, literally next door. The space encompasses half of the top floor of the hotel, the other half is the W lounge and bar which boasts equally stunning panoramic views and that with the help of an incredible production team, was transformed into a full on club every night. This is where we danced to a highly curated roster of DJs from around the world. More on that in a bit.
A few floors beneath the bar and restaurant, the team at Cercle had transformed the “Great Room” into a livestream production studio that hosted daily panel discussions and workshops. With topics such as “Clarity in Chaos: Mental Health Within the Electronic Music Ecosystem” the speakers kept a packed room leaning forward in their seats. Possibly the most attended of the talks was “The Art of Exponential Growth: Capturing an Audience” featuring the fast-rising star DJs Mochakk & Indira Paganotto. Young, fun, and ruthlessly authentic, they gave the crowd the best social media advice that anyone could possibly offer — “there is no formula, just be yourself and let the world in”
Cercle
For more hands-on how-tos, Cercle created two exclusive experiential workshops that were both edifying and engaging. First, they invited two of their premier drone pilots to teach a class on flying FPV (first person view) drones. If you’ve never watched a Cercle video, do so here. Their niche is creating one-off live events in magically unique destinations across the globe. Their drone work is a key element to each of their video presentations, giving a sense of space and wonder to each hand-picked location. Now it was our turn to see just how much skill it takes to pull off those epic shots.
We started the class with a brief talk, then were quickly let loose to start our training in a simulator lab they’d built. Within an hour, they gave us the actual controls and we all got to fly a real drone in a controlled setting. Yes, I crashed. We all did. But by the end I truly got the feel for it and was buzzing around faster and faster, earning the title of “most aggressive” new pilot of the day.
What can I say? I like to play hard.
Aryeh-Or
On the flip side, the second exclusive workshop was a refined cooking class and beat pairing aptly dubbed “Kitchn’ Klub.” The Cercle team might as well have reconstructed a Top Chef set for us, I couldn’t tell you the difference. Well, I suppose the fact that we didn’t work with any open flame helped mitigate the inherent liability factor.
Still, the knives were sharp, the beats were banging and the menu was sublime. Belgian Chef Paul Delrez and DJ Calao (a solid chef in her own right!) led us through two courses of fresh and healthy recovery food. First, we made a hearty labneh and lentil salad with a hot harissa kicker that definitely cleared the nostrils. We followed this with a shot of fresh-pressed green juice and finished out with a citrus and fennel-topped hummus plate that I would have gladly ordered on repeat if room service offered it. The whole experience flew by in a short 45 minutes but it was the perfect light menu for those of us who’d been burning the candle at both ends and making the most of the nightlife.
Aryeh-Or
Speaking of the night, the lights and the Cercle x W dance floor were not to be trifled with. Cercle’s artistic director Phil Tuchmann and global music director for the W brand, LP Giobbi handpicked a lineup of DJs and artists that absolutely electrified the crowd. With a female-forward roster that definitely highlighted its share of male artists too, the musical offerings spanned a diverse blend of styles that kept us all on our toes, both literally and figuratively.
While all of the talent deserves their flowers, a few of my personal favorites included Francis Mercier, AWAN, Desire, Cassian, Gordo, Mind Against, and Friend of Uproxx LP Giobbi herself. Mind you, ADE is a massive playground of over 2,500+ artists, two hundred + venues that quite literally take the whole city of Amsterdam by storm for a full five days of non-stop EDM action. To collect and consolidate the caliber and consistency of talent that the W held for four straight nights felt like nothing short of wizardry.
Cercle
Jumping out beyond the W-alls, the city of Amsterdam herself deserves an entirely separate article. This was my first visit to the famed land of winding canals and cannabis cafes and she certainly didn’t disappoint. I only had a limited time to explore amidst the ADE programming and some significant precipitation, but what I did get to experience enchanted me.
On my first full morning, I did my favorite “new city” ritual — laced up my running shoes and walked out the door without any planned direction or destination. I just went and let my instincts take me on a tour. I wound my way past the palatial facade of the Centraal train station and through the fabled Red Light district. I sprinted along riverfronts and slowed my pace through zig-zagging alleys with buildings quite literally leaning in over me (their foundations have shifted due to the soaked ground below). Every block I passed seemed to have its own unique blend of Old World energy melding with modern adaptations.
In my limited experience, the whole of Amsterdam is like a patchwork quilt. There is no particular pattern that I can point to, but it feels fundamentally warm and well balanced as if stitched together by the coolest grandma you’ve ever known. Although I think the word “charming” can often verge on pejorative and is way overused in travel writing, Amsterdam is charming in the “warts and all” sense — you see the upsides and downsides pretty quickly but you love it just the same.
As those of us who travel often know well, sometimes you visit a place and feel totally complete, like it’s been checked off the list and requires no further exploration. Other places leave you with the entirely opposite feeling; a deep knowing that you’ve only just scratched the surface and a return trip is not only warranted, it’s mandatory. In the case of Amsterdam and even more specifically ADE, I’m all the way in the latter category. I’ll definitely be heading back for a second serving of both — hopefully with another W x Cercle collab waiting for me.
21 Savage has had a solid last 12 months. Around this time last year, the artist dropped Her Loss with Drake. Furthermore, he ended up going on tour with Drake all throughout the United States and Canada. However, he couldn’t actually go to Canada until the very last shows in Toronto. Of course, this is because 21 wasn’t considered an official United States citizen. His travel rights were diminished, and it was making things hard for him. That said, with a little help from Drake, 21 eventually got the green light to travel to Canada.
He now has a green card which means he can go wherever he wants. As we reported a while back, 21 was going to go on a mini tour of Europe. This would lead him to shows in France, the Netherlands, and even the UK. Overall, it is a homecoming of sorts for 21, who was born in England. Fans in Europe have been very excited about this as for many, it will be their first time seeing the rapper perform. Now, 21 has officially made the trip to Europe, and he seems to be having a good time.
In the videos and images above, 21 Savage can be seen standing outside of the Eifel Tower with a huge duffle bag. He was standing around tourists who were there for the exact same reasons as him. Ultimately, it was cool to see 21 enjoying himself given the circumstances. Some of us take traveling for granted. However, for 21, this is a whole new experience that he will surely never forget. Hopefully, the country is treating him well while he’s out there.
Let us know if you are in Europe and will be attending 21’s shows, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always keep you informed on all of your favorite artists.
Bobby Shmurda’s on a bit of a European trek right now, having hit up Paris right before heading to the UK. Moreover, the Miami-born and Brooklyn raised rapper recently had a ball in London alongside fellow MCs Fabolous and Giggs. Overall, it seemed like quite the star-studded affair, with a lot of neon lights, fancy suits, and of course champagne. Still, a lot of this begs the question: what could Shmurda be traveling so much around Europe for? Most likely, it’s just to have some fun. However, he could also be looking for his hat, and if you don’t understand that quest… go do your homework.
Furthermore, there were a lot of different clips that emerged from the 29-year-old’s London outing, all equally luxurious. Most of them seem to come from a massive party in what feels like a club but looks like a massive building lobby, so that shows how hard they went. In another clip, Bobby Shmurda poses with a couple of friends, all dressed in fine suits and some with their own bottles of bubbly. Fab got slightly clowned for his big pants, but a fashion statement like that isn’t going to win anyone over. That being said, maybe cool it on the size increases for next time.
Of course, his party adventures are more fun to see than most other rappers’ due to his time in prison. As such, it’s always heartening to see that “Free Bobby Shmurda” became a reality after so many online clamors for it. Even though he’s slightly moved away from rap culture, he recently expressed that he just has a different vision of what the genre should be. From what his words indicate, it seems like all this fun that he’s sharing online could hopefully inspire others to make it big.
“These kids are following you guys, and you’re rapping about these f***ing lifestyles,” he said in a podcast interview. “It’s very dangerous to the communities [because] these little kids [really] think that [it’s] going on. You did not even live [any] [of] [it]. Rap is supposed to be telling motherf***ers to go from negative to positive, coming from poverty to go to riches. How to stay in that and how to change. That’s the s**t that I want to hear. I wanna hear about living life.” For more news and the latest updates on Bobby Shmurda, keep checking in with HNHH.
Sunset Music Festival electrified the southern United States over Memorial Day Weekend, setting off the summer festival season. The 2023 edition starred a whole lot of vibrantly colored attendees thanks to a slew of electronic heavyweights AC Slater, Audien, Adventure Club, Bear Grillz, Chris Lake, Hannah Wants, Honeyluv, and more, all the while casting a sensory overload of top-notch visual and audio production. Because what’s a party without some serious sound production to knock ya around on the dancefloor?
While SMF has annually been a staple summer kickoff event in Florida, this year wowed the masses with its new 360-degree stage shade structure, allowing fans to get down to the sweltering beats of house music and not the sun itself. Of course, a nightly firework showcase to round off both nights after days of dancing to all the likes of electronic music was truly the icing on the cake. Sorry if you weren’t there, we understand if you have FOMO.
While this year’s festival circuit has a long list of impressive musical lineups and attendee offerings, we still can’t get SMF out of our heads. It reminds us that festivals truly are one of the building blocks that fosters connection across society (just when everything seems to be crumbling down around us). Don’t mind us if we keep these photos in our heads rent-free for the next couple of months as the beat of summer is only just beginning.
When it comes to DJs and influencers, travel hacks and destinations are the name of the game. From playing to the masses across the globe to jet-setting to some pretty Instagram-worthy locations, you can’t go wrong taking some inspiration and recommendations from the people behind the boards.
While international travel is plenty alluring this time of year, there’s something about staying domestic during the North American summer that just makes sense. Especially after the pandemic reawakened Americans to the glories to be found closer to home. So we picked the brain of 15 globally recognized DJs, producers, and travel influencers to reveal their “most underrated” American towns and cities to make a trip to this summer.*
*Warning: Some of these towns are very mainstream so treat the word “underrated” with a grain of salt.
Featured Upcoming Tour Dates: Forbidden Kingdom (6/10), Beyond Wonderland (6/18), Lost Lands (9/23)
PRESS
I think I’m going to have to go with Portland for this one. I’ve been there probably 5-6 times now and I have to say it’s definitely one of my favorite cities in the US. I’m a big fan of sushi and with Portland being in the PNW, the fish is some of the best I’ve ever had. Portland has a pretty large Asian community as well and I’m a big fan of pho & ramen, so you know I’m in heaven whenever I go. It also has this Japanese Garden that’s really beautiful. It’s an absolute must-see in my opinion.
On top of all of that, the crowd in Portland consistently goes hard. I am always excited to visit Portland and its food, crowd, and landmarks. It never disappoints!
As someone who loves being outdoors and hiking, Jim Thorpe is the perfect destination for a summer visit. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I spent many summers here, hiking to waterfalls, going to museums, and shopping in town. The Harry Packer mansion (the architectural inspiration for Disneyland’s haunted mansion ride) is beautiful and open for reservations if you want to spend the night. The waterfalls are completely breathtaking to hike up to, and you can even white water raft in nearby lakes.
One of my favorite places to dine is a restaurant overlooking the mountain called roadies, with great pub fare food and live music.
I actually think Boise, ID is criminally slept on. The creative culture is thriving and I feel an exciting energy around DIY spaces and events in particular when I’m there. My friend Street Fever (@streetfever) does a party called OIL (@oil.move) that absolutely demands a visit, and AI Studios has a location there with an art space and jewelry manufacturing as well.
For restaurants you can’t miss: KIN, which also has a music/theater/art venue called piKINic as part of their set of three concepts.
Maybe I’m biased because I just moved here, but I definitely think that Carlsbad, California is an underrated travel destination in the United States.
It’s located /north of San Diego, about 30 minutes from downtown and it is the cutest beach town without all of the crowds and bustle of downtown San Diego.
If you’re looking for the best place to stay, surprisingly, the Best Western Plus is actually so nice and it has a beautiful view of the ocean with a top deck that has chairs where you can watch the sunset.
One of my favorite places to eat is Blue Ocean Sushi and I also love Taste of the Himalayan, which is authentic Himalayan food. It is so delicious. I especially love the curry options.
As far as fun activities to do in Carlsbad, California, it is the ultimate beach destination with a surplus of outdoor activities from kayaking and surfing to just hanging out at the Carlsbad State Beach and hiking. You’ll also find a ton of really cute shopping boutiques and thrift stores, which is fun to explore in between dining and going to the beach.
Of course, the best time to visit any beach town is spring and summer. It does get crowded. But fortunately, it is a little bit of an oasis from downtown San Diego with fewer people and it’s just easier to find parking and get around.
Featured Upcoming Tour Dates: Hard Summer (8/5), Hulaween (10/26)
PRESS
I’d have to say Charleston, SC was an absolute pleasure to visit! I’d never really heard much about the city before visiting and it was quite a surprise to see the liveliness and quaintness of this city. The cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses, and nicely-groomed horses bring so much life to this adorable city. I was also pleasantly surprised by how fresh the seafood was. If you do vision, make sure to try out the oysters and the shrimp and grits. Absolutely outstanding flavors!
We walked through the French Quarter which was beautifully preserved and filled with live music. Also, everywhere we went, we were greeted by nice and warm hospitality. The city’s Southern charm combined with its rich history definitely makes it an unforgettable experience to visit.
I would say Sedona, AZ. Most people don’t think of Arizona for summertime because of the heat. But Sedona nighttime lows in the summer average in the cool mid 60s, nearly 25 degrees cooler than the Phoenix average. The place is extremely spiritual with red rocks everywhere, it feels like you’re in a dream. Walt Disney would spend substantial amounts of time there and modeled several Disneyland rides around the landscape.
In terms of places to eat, Mariposa in Sedona has beautiful views and a world-renowned chef. For unique food, including a peach pizza, go check out Hideaway House as well.
In terms of activities, go hike Devil’s Bridge and see trees whose trunks are totally twisted around due to the vortex energy. Go get your aura read while you’re there, and some of the most beautiful stars you’ve ever seen at night.
I feel like whenever I tell someone that I’m from Buffalo, they automatically assume how cold it is. Let’s be real here: obviously Buffalo is pretty cold in the winter thanks to our neighbor Lake Erie. But many people don’t understand that Buffalo and Western New York as a whole has an amazing summer season!
Because it sits right on Lake Erie, Buffalo becomes an amazing destination for spending time on the water. You can spend all day at Buffalo RiverWorks, the city’s premier waterfront, boating, sports bar, and music and entertainment destination. Located right on the banks of the river in the industrial district, the city has put millions of dollars into this over the years and has become an amazing addition to the city. You can rent a kayak, stand up paddleboard, hop on the Buffalo Tiki Tour, rock climb one of the sheer walls of the grain silos, watch a roller derby bout, and sip cocktails on the water with free live music. There’s also Canalside, another beautiful part on the waterfront that is right in the heart of the city. It hosts hundreds of events throughout the year, many of which are free or low cost including concerts, festivals, and summer fitness classes, and you can also get on the water with a kayak, paddleboard, or boat here too.
Of course, Niagara Falls is very close by, everyone should come here at least once in their life!
For some amazing Western New York hiking, I highly recommend going to what is considered “The Grand Canyon of the East” at Letchworth State Park. My personal favorite is also Griffith Sculpture Park, where you get stunning views of Buffalo’s rolling hills as you find peace and serenity walking among sculptures in the woods.
You can’t go to Buffalo without having some chicken wings. Sorry to all you ranch lovers out there – the only correct way to eat chicken wings is with blue cheese. Get some from the iconic Anchor Bar on Main Street or at Duff’s Famous Wings.
Keys N Krates (@keysnkrates): Asheville, North Carolina
Featured Upcoming Tour Dates: Washington D.C.’s Flash (9/23), Salt Lake City, UT’s Soundwell (10/5), and Portland, OR’s 45 East (10/6)
Keys N Krates
We discovered Asheville on our first U.S. bus tour. At that point, we were very used to waking up in different cities/towns (or sometimes Walmart parking lots). I remember waking up in Asheville and walking out of the tour bus onto Biltmore Ave, which felt like the main drag of that immediate area, and thinking, this town seems really great. I got the immediate impression that there was fun stuff to check out (art, food, music), but it also felt secluded, surrounded by nature and a bit of a hidden gem. My hunch checked out; we learned the MOOG factory is there, there’s a ton of cool art galleries and we were surrounded by The Blue Ridge Mountains.
And then there is the Orange Peel, the 1050-cap-simple-rectangular room that felt almost like a barn house. It became one of our favourite venues in the U.S. to play shows at. For whatever reason, the energy of the crowds there was always unmatched, and every show there (we’ve done around three now) just felt like a chaotic sweaty debacle in the best way possible. I’d like to think it was just us, but it definitely felt like that room had its own magic.
I still feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface in terms of what’s great about that town. I’m sure “current-day us” would go on hikes and hit galleries and those botanical gardens, but “mid-2010s us” were tour bus sloths who basically just walked to whatever was around the tour bus, regardless of how great a city was. I would typically do a 15-minute walk to Liberty Coffee and have a pre-show bite at the brewery (Wicked Weed) right next to the venue.
Our second time in Asheville, we got invited to the MOOG factory to see the place and do a taping of us performing one of our songs just using MOOG gear which was really fun. They were super kind to us there. As producers, we were in hyper-geek-out mode, and they were amazing hosts. That was super memorable.
Anabel Englund (@anabelenglund): Lake Geneva, Washington
Featured Upcoming Tour Dates: Utah Pride (6/2), Sunbar Nightclub (6/3), The Midway (7/1), Global Dance Festival (7/21)
ANABEL ENGLUND
Lake Geneva is a place I have gone to every summer since I met my husband. There are no direct flights into this small town so the only two options are either fly to Chicago O’ Hare or Milwaukee Airport and then drive from there to wherever you are staying. I will say you will pass a lot of cornfields! The air there is clean & dense like it’s made of melted sugar & as the sun starts to set you see fireflies rising up from the grass. The lake is spring fed & crystal clear. When you jump into the water with sun kissed skin it feels like a holy experience. Our favorite place to eat breakfast is at this old diner called ‘Daddy Maxwell’s.’ It is simply the best with its familiar waitresses & regulars. Make sure to pull out some money before dining because it’s a cash only establishment. There are endless amounts of things to do on or around the lake. You can walk/bike/run around the whole thing (21-26 miles.) You can do all kinds of water sports like skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, or even just cruising around listening to music with friends catching up and enjoying the sun together. Needless to say, when it’s time to head to my next destination I am never ready to leave & am already planning my next trip back.
Featured Upcoming Tour Dates: Cervantes Ballroom (7/1)
KHIVA
While I would by no means consider myself the authority on spots to hit here, I have probably had more ‘in depth’ visits to Denver than a lot of US cities. For many reasons, I think it can hold its own in the ring with more ‘notable’ destinations like say, NY or SF. Truly, it seems like there is always something going on and if you’re like me (a sun-worshipping lizard) a clear summer day in the Mile High City is such a good opportunity to bounce between spots and try a little bit of everything.
One thing I love about Denver is all its cool ‘food halls’ that have become rightfully popular over the years. I’ve had great times at Denver Central Market, Denver Milk Market, Edgewater Public Market, and Avanti Food Hall. I love a chance to hit Konjo for Ethiopian food at Edgewater! I’ve personally really enjoyed hot spots such as Denver Biscuit Company and Watercourse over the years and especially living where I do in New York, it’s just not the type of food/restaurants I have a lot, so it’s quite different. I feel like Denver has its own version of every type of cuisine and spins it into its own genre of comfort food. One culinary aspect of Denver I love is all the little mom-and-pop Mexican spots!
Sometimes it feels more difficult to find inner-city activities that aren’t totally food or drink-centric, but Denver seems to have a pretty cool array of interesting things. I’m not a huge gamer, but I do love pinball, so I really enjoyed hanging out at 1UP Arcade Bar on Colfax. I love all the old-school machines and their wicked art! I haven’t been yet but a friend invited me to check out the Church of Cannabis, which apparently has an awesome new light show of sorts, so I am very stoked to visit this one! There is, of course, the new Meow Wolf, which also is hosting a lot of shows!
Of course, this list would not be complete without mentioning the rich and wonderfully incessant stream of musical entertainment happening in the city. Shameless self-plug here, but I am so excited to have my biggest headline to date happening at Cervantes on July 1st, so that’s incredibly exciting, but I l also have time to stay afterward for a few days and get in on the buzz that is July 4th! I’ve got a lot of friends either based in the city or passing through, and you know there’s bound to be a cool show happening somewhere. I haven’t been to the Black Box in a while, so I’d love to see what’s going on and catch up with some friends where you know the sound, music, and vibes are on point!
Overall, I just love to be outside and experience food, culture, art, and music, and Denver ticks so many boxes — making this a great summer destination. If you have time and transport, getting into nature is no doubt a huge bonus of its location. On this trip, I am trying to hit some of the places in this list, but never underestimate the power of a good hotel with a pool to come back to after a full day of festivities!
Being able to tour in Hawaii was incredible and definitely is the ultimate summer vibe. We landed in Honolulu and stayed in Waikiki Beach. We stayed at a resort and an Airbnb and truly experienced the best of both worlds.
If you prefer hotels, The Outrigger Resort was nothing short of perfection with luxurious shopping, food, and amenities. Surrounded by beautiful beaches and lots of options for anything tourism. If you are into nature and sightseeing we definitely recommend Diamond Head state park. If you are a beginner, Waikiki Beach is a perfect place to learn with long rolling rides. We recommend any shopping at the Royal Hawaiian Center Mall which is within walking distance from the resort. For nightlife experience, we had a blast performing at The Republik which is one of our all-time favorite venues in the United States.
Our favorite was definitely the Airbnb which was tucked away in the green hills overlooking the beaches. It was a different experience because it was a step away from all the tourism but still close enough to get in the mix. Highly recommend renting moped scooters as means of transportation. Which allowed us to see and experience more of a local vibe with great recs from our host. One of our favorite things to do is take the mopeds up and down the coast at sunset. Absolutely breathtaking and we made sure to do that every night. Our favorite local poke spot was called Five Star Poke. And definitely have to take a tour of the dole plantation to try the legendary “Dole Whip”. And if you can visit the island during the 4th of July celebrations, do it. The highlight of our experience and the best recommendation we can give is renting a boat or catamaran and sailing just off the coast to catch the sunset which is followed by multiple fireworks shows as far as the eye can see up and down the coast.
Two Friends (@twofriends): Charleston, South Carolina & Cleveland, Ohio
Featured Upcoming Tour Dates: Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica (6/12), Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre (6/22)
TWO FRIENDS
I’m gonna have to say Charleston, South Carolina. We have played there a few times in the summer and it is just so beautiful. We did 4th of July pool parties back-to-back out there last summer and they were two of the craziest shows the whole year. We’re coming back there at the end of June and we’re definitely looking forward to that one. It’ll be all outdoors, on the lawn, with great summer vibes as the sun goes down and the music plays all night. -Eli
I’m gonna go with Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland can sometimes get a bad rap, but that place is amazing, especially down by the water. It’s so lively, there are so many cool places. We’ll also be there on our tour in June and honestly, it’s a vibe. There are a lot of fun things to do and people are just ready to go. -Matt
Just got back from a trip to Joshua Tree and it was one of the most rejuvenating experiences I’ve had in a while. I went to Hidden Valley, Cholla Cactus Garden, and Keys View. There are so many good eats like Crossroads Cafe, Joshua Tree Coffee, JT Country Kitchen, and Sky High Pizza. This place is really dog friendly so I brought my two pit bulls with me (just make sure they stay hydrated). Downtown Joshua Tree is great at night for bars/breweries. One of my favorite aspects of the town was seeing the Joshua Trees themselves. It was my first time seeing them in real life and they were so peaceful and serene. I also loved how relaxing and tranquil it was being in the desert- it’s perfect when you want to remove yourself from everything for a few days.
My underrated summer destination for all those who haven’t been to the wonderful coasts of New England – where I spent most of my life – is Southie (South Boston).
I would always start my days by hitting the local PS Gourmet Coffee shop for a bacon egg and cheese breakky sam on a poppy seed bagel. They have about 35 different flavor choices for coffee so I would always switch it up to keep things fresh.
The next stop is a quick walk over to M street beach. The water quality is questionable but the vibe quality is exceptional. Plenty of music and beach games and people bonding over iced coffees as they sweat out their hangovers. From there, it’s an easy walk to Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar for some fresh oysters and my personal favorite, the coconut margs. Across the street Lincoln Tavern is always packed but worth it if you can brave the line and can get a table with friends. Alternatively, make a friend who has a roof deck and head there to cap the day off with a nice sunset. Then it’s time to hit the clubs. Royale used to be a personal favorite of mine. The Middle East in Cambridge will always be dear to me as the first venue I played, and then Bijou and Venue and Icon are all solid clubs to hit. My good friends still hold down the fort at Big Night Live and open up for some phenomenal acts from all over the world.
Catch me playing next in my new hometown of Denver. The announcement coming soon! Enjoy your summer and stay safe and cool!
Featured Upcoming Tour Dates: The Greek Theatre (7/20); Frost Amphitheater (7/23); Central Park SummerStage (8/3)
MXMTOON
My personal choice for the most underrated American town for the summer would be Oakland, California. It’s totally biased because that’s where I grew up but I choose it for good reason.
If you’re looking to visit California and don’t want to commit to LA’s high heat and traffic all the time but you’re also not sure about San Francisco and how chilly it gets along with all of its hills, Oakland is the place for you. It’s a perfect middle ground for all of those things – we have incredible nature and hiking trails along all the regional parks nearby. We also have incredible food. My favorite place to go is over on Telegraph Avenue, it’s called Cholita Linda and it’s really delicious Cuban food.
I hope more people come to visit Oakland because it’s my favorite city in the Bay and I think it deserves a little more love.
