It was music’s biggest night—a cultural coronation draped in couture and soundtracked by the industry’s most daring icons. Whether you’re here for the fashion highlights or the show-stopping medleys, we’re keeping score on the moments that truly hit all the right notes.
On Thursday we had the pleasure of attending Spotify’s annual Best New Artist Party at The Lot at Formosa in Los Angeles. This annual celebration spotlights the 8 artists nominated for The Grammy Awards’ Best New Artist category. The night was filled with amazing musical performances by this year’s nominees, complimentary cocktails, multiple photo booths and delicious food, but the highlight was by far the innovative Spray Bar courtesy of Magnum Ice Cream.
We caught up with the Magnum Ice Cream team to shed some light on this engaging activation, “Magnum Ice Cream is bringing indulgence to the spotlight with an exclusive spray bar experience at Spotify’s iconic Best New Artist 2026 Party. At one of the music industry’s most high-profile events, guests have the opportunity to personalize their own Magnum Ice Cream Bars with the name of their BNA nominee pick. The interactive activation allows attendees to treat themselves to a moment of luxury and creativity, perfectly complementing the celebration of emerging musical talent. Magnum continues to celebrate self-expression and enjoyment, making every experience a little more memorable.”
Not only did guests enjoy customizing these sweet treats, it provided a nice cool down in between the high-energy performances. Additionally there were a plethora of food stations including mini pizzas, tacos, burgers and limitless drinks. Hilton had an entire suite dedicated to their partnership with Spotify including complimentary key cards, a photo booth, custom cocktails and lite bites.
The performances kicked off with Grammy-Award winning Leon Thomas, up for 6 nominations this year. The audience went crazy for his live version of “Mutt,” followed by a stunning performance by Lola Young and an amazing set by The Marias. Lola Young’s emotional live performance of “Sad Sob Story” was everything and more. Alex Warren, Katseye and Sombr did not disappoint. Katseye slayed with their impeccable choreography and high-energy dance moves for hits like “Gnarly”. Addison Rae turned up the heat with her back-up dancers and performed breakout hit “Diet Pepsi.” Olivia Dean closed out the night and sang her viral record “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” leaving guests wanting more.
In addition to the stellar performances there were many special guests in attendance including PinkPantheress, Shaboozey, Kaytranada, Diplo, Zara Larsson, Larray, Murda Beatz and many more.
An exclusive tasting of the new Papa Johns Pan Pizza was held in New York City at the VIP First Bite Experience at FlyFish NYC, bringing together journalists, influencers, and content creators to sample the highly anticipated menu item.
The Knockturnal was also invited to cover the event and get a first-hand look at what makes this pizza different. Guests were able to watch the pizzas being crafted, learn about the inspiration behind the recipe, and experience the textures and flavors that Papa Johns has been refining for nearly a decade. The atmosphere was lively, with attendees sharing their reactions, taking photos, and getting a sense of the thought and care that went into every layer of the pizza.
Starting Thursday, January 29, fans nationwide will be able to enjoy the new Pan Pizza, which combines crispy, caramelized edges with a pillowy, airy center and a rich six-cheese blend. Jenna Bromberg, Chief Marketing Officer of Papa Johns, explained that the relaunch is the result of nearly ten years of development. She said the brand took a consumer-focused approach, making sure every detail of the pizza met high expectations for flavor and quality. Bromberg added that this is more than just a menu item returning as it is a reimagined pan pizza that honors its nostalgic roots while delivering a bolder, more indulgent experience that feels distinctly Papa Johns.
The new Pan Pizza is built to deliver a rich and satisfying experience from crust to topping. The thick, fluffy crust has an airy interior, and parmesan cheese and Papa Johns’ special garlic sauce are baked into the bottom of the pan for a golden, caramelized finish with a savory, crispy crunch. The pizza is topped with a six-cheese blend made from mozzarella, provolone, fontina, asiago, parmesan, and romano. It is designed to hold up to seven edge-to-edge toppings and finished with a light dusting of Italian seasoning. The pizza contains no artificial colors or flavors, letting the natural richness of the ingredients shine.
In a mini review, I think the Pan Pizza tastes noticeably different from the usual Papa Johns offerings. The combo of caramelized edges, airy interior, and indulgent cheese makes it feel like I am eating a Detroit-styled pizza and that is a good thing in my opinio n. It is richer and bolder than expected, with a flavor and texture that is very satisfying. The relaunch shows that even a classic pizza can evolve to meet modern tastes while staying true to the nostalgia fans love, making this Pan Pizza a must-try for anyone looking for something familiar yet new.
San Francisco welcomed a new kind of nightlife ritual on Thursday—one that smelled like fresh coffee, sounded like dominoes slapping the table, and tasted like aged rum with a bold espresso backbone. BACARDÍ Rum and NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler hosted the third chapter of their ongoing collaboration: the BACARDÍ x BIGFACE Rum Room Domino Club, marking its first-ever West Coast appearance after a buzzy Miami debut in 2024.
More than a pop-up, the Rum Room Domino Club unfolded as a living expression of culture and connection. Hosted at Starlite in Union Square, the immersive, one-night experience drew from BACARDÍ’s Caribbean and Latin heritage and Butler’s personal passions—coffee, competition, and community. At the center of the room was dominoes, a game Butler has long championed as both a cultural tradition and a social equalizer.
Guests moved through a high-energy space filled with custom domino tables, Caribbean- and Latin-inspired music, and signature cocktails crafted with BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum. Staying true to the spirit of past Rum Room events, Butler was front and center throughout the night—serving drinks, mingling with attendees, and jumping into multiple rounds of dominoes with guests.
The event also marked the Bay Area debut of the BACARDÍ x BIGFACE Café Con Ocho cocktail. A creative twist on the classic espresso martini, the drink paired the smooth, layered notes of BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho with BIGFACE’s Doublestar Omni Blend coffee, accented by salted caramel and finished with an orange garnish. The result was bold, balanced, and quickly became a crowd favorite.
For Butler, bringing the Rum Room to San Francisco carried special meaning. “BIGFACE is built on coffee, culture, community, and competition,” he shared during the event. “The Rum Room Domino Club brings all of that together with BACARDÍ Rum. San Francisco feels like home, so it was great to see the Bay Area show up, try Café Con Ocho, and really experience what this collaboration is about.”
The celebration extended beyond the walls of Starlite. BIGFACE Coffee officially kicked off its expanded residency at Square’s Corner Store the same day, launching a multi-month presence that will run through mid-April. Designed as a “living pop-up,” the space began offering daily BIGFACE service alongside rotating programming, establishing a new hub for Bay Area coffee culture.
Thursday night also served as the debut of the all-new BACARDÍ x BIGFACE co-branded merchandise collection. Following strong demand at previous Rum Room Domino Club events, the refreshed 2026 capsule featured a jacket, hoodie, t-shirt, and hat. Butler debuted select pieces during the event, including an exclusive hat worn while playing dominoes with guests. For the first time, the collection became available not only at the event but also online nationwide in the weeks following.
The Rum Room Domino Club drew familiar faces as well, including Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II, who joined the celebration and added a local connection to the night’s energy. With DJ Jaymeebaaby setting the soundtrack and dominoes anchoring the room, the event captured the celebratory spirit and sense of community that define the BACARDÍ x BIGFACE partnership.
As the third iteration of their collaboration came to life on the West Coast, the San Francisco Rum Room Domino Club reinforced what has made the partnership resonate from the start. It wasn’t just about rum, coffee, or fashion—it was about shared rituals, cultural roots, and the simple joy of people coming together around a table, a drink, and a game.
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