Meet GUNNAR, a rising rock sensation from Southern California, building a successful career within the music industry. Without a doubt, GUNNAR’s unwavering commitment to his musical craft and connecting with audiences radiates throughout our conversation.
Social Media
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Knox is a talented singer-songwriter rapidly ascending within the music industry. Within the last year and a half, he has signed to Atlantic Records and built a strong fanbase via TikTok, with one of his videos featuring his hit track “Sneakers” reaching nearly 2 million views overnight. “Sneakers” now has over 23 million streams across streaming platforms.
New Rules: An Exclusive Interview on Artistic Evolution, Fan Engagement, & Musical Journey
Formed in 2019, comprising musicians Alec McGarry, Nathan Lambert, and Ryan Meaney began their musical journey as New Rules. Within the last four years, the band’s shared passion and dedication to music has made them the artist to watch and driven them to the spotlight, leaving audiences, fans, and perhaps locals walking on the streets of London where they’ve busked amazed and intrigued.
Re:SET Concert Series at Forest Hills Stadium – A Celebration of Fans and Artists
AEG Presents announced their 2023 lineup for the Re: SET Concert Series, launched this year. Re: SET is a traveling series of outdoor concerts, and this year, it included a strong lineup of headliners and performers such as boygenius, LCD Soundsystem, and Steve Lacy.
A Midsommar Night’s Dream: A Fantastical Soirée Oozing with Magic, Flair and a Little Bewitchment
I have always been very appreciative of the genre of horror that doesn’t settle for cheap scares and gore, but rather, fear of the unknown— mysterious masks and cults, strange figures and cities, and quiet gatherings that are right on the edge of plausibility.

A dancer, courtesy of Stevan Keane
This is what drew me to accepting an invitation for an event titled A Midsommar Night’s Dream: One Trip of a Party, at The McKittrick Hotel, home of Sleep No More. The look-book boasted images of individuals clad in white robes or floral embellishments, strange deer antlers or hellish bug masks, and even a rendition of the fungal zombies from The Last of Us. A strange party for stranger party-goers? I was in.
Every aspect of the hotel was completely converted into a magical forest, ancient ruin, or deep-city stomping ground.

The decor was fantastic
The first floor was redone to resemble a subterranean rock venue, with a live band and pole dancers adjacent to a well-stocked bar.

The first-floor live band
Attendees had come clad in the most unique outfits imaginable, with antlers and horns making a prominent appearance, large swaths of flowers and embroidery, and several people even adorning their heads with fake animal heads, like ravens and lions. I instantly got the feeling that I was peeking into an event that I did not belong to— some billionaire’s secret guilty pleasure, or a north-European pagan ritual.
It felt like the crowd would suddenly begin conducting a human sacrifice, and if they did, I would only be half surprised (the half that still remembered that I had been invited to this event, like everyone else here).
The second floor was even more unique. The most prominent feature was a single porcelain bathtub, right in the center of the room. Attendees flocked for the photo opportunity, and I was surprised to see it was functional; a woman got soaked with water as she turned the faucet and a jet of water shot out.

In the bathtub
Otherwise, the floor was decorated with lines of dilapidated brick wall separating the rooms, making it look like I was in an old worn-down courtyard. There was a male dancer wearing a donkey mask shaking his hips on an elevated stage, and an area that allowed attendees to make their own floral wreaths and head covers. Another room had a single ominous baby carriage, illuminated by a deep orange light.

Me, with the baby carriage
Excited to see what the third floor had in store for me, I climbed the stairs.
The third floor was absolutely mental. I walked into a crowded rave, with dozens of people dancing erratically to deep thumping music and constant strobe lights. Even now, I can only recall faint glimpses of that room; simple snapshots only because I was unable to focus on any single thing there for longer than a breath. I slipped into a trance-like state, and I do not even remember how long I spent there. It could have been second, or it could have been an hour.
When I finally left the third floor, I stepped into the exclusive Oz’s Boudoir VIP bar. It overlooked a large club-type setting, with a mix of indie-EDM and classic rock-pop hits blaring over the speakers.

Center stage, courtesy of Stevan Keane

More storage decor…
At the bar, I ordered a fresh cranberry-pineapple vodka, and watched as several people jumped onto a full king-sized bed that was placed right besides the bar.

Oz’s bar, courtesy of Stevan Keane
It felt like something straight from a dream, and I really took a moment to appreciate the craft of those that had put together a place like this; they had gone into the mind and retrieved every small whim or fear that resided on the edge of an individual’s thoughts, and had materialized it.
These people lived regular lives, and worked at regular jobs, but on this night, they could let loose the psychedelic animal within and let it howl.
I greatly enjoyed my experience at The McKittrick, and am excited to see what Sleep No More hits us with next.
In advance of her debut album, Messy, Olivia Dean played a show at New York City’s infamous Le Poisson Rouge, in the heart of the West Village, on the 15th of June. This show marked a significant milestone for the up-and-coming artist, as the performance was her first in the United States.
On The Scene: Sydney Sweeney Hands Out Bai Drinks at BAIDration Boardwalk Event
Hydration is the key to being your best self each day, especially in the summer. Don’t believe us? Just ask Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney.
Sweeney, known for her commitment to drinking only water in the past, has taken a step further by incorporating her favorite drink, Bai, into her daily routine. Recognizing the importance of hydration while craving a more flavorful experience, she joined forces with Bai to create the BAIdration Challenge. The challenge encourages consumers to pledge to drink a Bai beverage every day, providing a healthier and tastier alternative for daily hydration.
In an exciting partnership with the band, Sweeney took to the streets of New York to give fans a taste of summer like never before with the launch of the BAIdration Boardwalk. On Wednesday, the event kicked off the summer, inviting fans to embrace better-for-you drink options without sacrificing flavor. This event was one of the many parts of Sweeney’s challenge, a movement to encourage individuals to incorporate Bai’s flavorful hydration into their daily routines.
The BAIdration Boardwalk transported attendees to a beach-like oasis in the heart of the city. With a creative twist on a traditional boardwalk, this one-of-a-kind event featured free summer swag, boardwalk-inspired games, and captivating beachy photo-op moments. Participants had the chance to cool off and indulge in the refreshing atmosphere while immersing themselves in the Bai brand experience.
Joining the BAIdration Challenge is simple and exciting. Fans can show their commitment to flavorful hydration, just like Sydney Sweeney, by sharing their participation on Instagram or TikTok. By doing so, they become part of a growing community dedicated to making healthier beverage choices while enjoying the delightful taste of Bai.
Bai also stands out among other beverage options by offering a wide range of exotic flavors, containing just one gram of sugar and absolutely no artificial sweeteners. Infused with antioxidants, Bai has captivated consumers with its delicious and refreshing taste, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a healthier alternative to traditional sugary drinks.
Hear more about Bai here!
A Conversation with Omar Apollo: Refreshing Summer Drinks and Artistic Inspiration
As the season of sunshine, beach waves, and traveling comes around the corner, one must be prepared for the inevitable drink of choice to elevate the summer season. The Knockturnal had the chance to sit down with the fantastic singer-songwriter and beloved musician Omar Apollo, to talk about his latest collaboration with Buchanan’s Scotch Whiskey, as well as dive into his artistic integrity, successes, touring, and fan experiences.