T(abel) Reads 3

Friday October 18th, 2024 - Edition 003

EVERYONE'S FAVORITE BI-WEEKLY NEWS SOURCE... UNLESS YOU'RE NOT EVERYONE

MUSICAL PHENOMENON

Fred Again Does It Again and Again on His 2024 “Places We’ve Never Been Tour”

MUSIC

Fred Again… recently concluded his North American tour called Places We Have Never Been, and our Abel correspondents recently attended his show in Fort Worth, TX. The English artist continues to capture lightning in a bottle, delivering one mesmerizing performance after another. His shows blend smooth vocal chop, emotionally charged samples, flowing piano melodies, and deep, resonating bass lines—a combination rarely seen in the EDM world. Fred Again… is truly in a league of his own, redefining what electronic music can be. Meanwhile, rising star ISOxo is also making waves in the EDM scene. The San Diego artist just dropped the deluxe edition of his debut solo album, Kidsgonemad!, now streaming on all listening platforms. With a bold sound and dynamic production, ISOxo is cementing his place as one of the genre’s most exciting new forces. Lastly, RÜFÜS DU SOL has returned with their highly anticipated fifth studio album, Inhale / Exhale, released on October 11, 2024. The album showcases the Australian trio’s signature blend of atmospheric melodies and electronic soundscapes, taking listeners on a deeply emotional and immersive journey.

ART AND FASHION

After a six-year hiatus, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show made its highly anticipated return in 2024. This past Tuesday, the iconic runway was graced by a dazzling lineup of models, with musical performances from stars like Lisa, Tyla, and the legendary Cher. The event was further amplified by appearances from superstars like Tyra Banks, the Hadid sisters, and Carla Bruni, leaving fans buzzing with excitement. The show is being hailed as a successful reboot, offering a fresh glimpse into the future of Victoria’s Secret’s legacy. In other fashion legacies, the Met Gala has announced its 2025 board members, including familiar faces like A$AP Rocky, Anna Wintour, and even LeBron James, who will help orchestrate next year’s event. The 2025 theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” is set to celebrate the elegance and artistry of Black dandyism, promising a groundbreaking showcase of fashion and culture. The fashion world is thriving, and here at Abel, we are loving every moment of it.

TV AND FILM

This week in entertainment, Loki Season 2 premiered on Disney+, continuing the multiverse madness with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as the God of Mischief. The show’s marketing campaign relied heavily on social media, with teasers, behind-the-scenes footage, and collaborations with major brands like McDonald’s. In sports drama, basketball is getting its turn in the spotlight with the new show Starting 5, which follows NBA stars LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards, and Domantas Sabonis through their 2023-2024 seasons. The show delves into both their professional lives on the court and personal lives off the court, similar to popular sports series like Full Swing and Quarterback. Meanwhile, the horror movie Smile has become a viral marketing success story. Paramount Pictures took a creative approach by placing actors with eerie smiles at live MLB and NFL games, which quickly went viral on social media. The stunt generated over 100 million impressions in just one week, helping the film gross over $200 million worldwide.

SPORTS

While football continues to dominate the weekends, two other professional sports are kicking off their seasons this month, giving fans plenty to look forward to. Last week, the NHL dropped the puck on its 2024 campaign, where all eyes will be on Alex Ovechkin, The Washington Capitals’ 20-year veteran. Ovechkin is just 42 goals away from breaking Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky’s all-time scoring record, making his chase for history as one of the season’s top storylines. On the hardwood, the NBA is set to return on Tuesday, October 22nd. In the East, the Boston Celtics are favored to repeat as conference champions, but the West seems more balanced. With key offseason acquisitions, the Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as favorites to challenge in the Finals, though the depth of talent across the league promises an unpredictable and exciting season ahead.

DOMESTIC

In the past two weeks, Mexico and the Southern United States have been battered by back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s panhandle, causing severe flooding, storm surges, and damage across several states, reaching as far as Tennessee. Days later, Hurricane Milton traveled from the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula and made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm. Milton brought devastating winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread power outages along Florida’s Gulf Coast, further exacerbating the damage from Helene. Both storms left Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas struggling with flooding, infrastructural damage, and ongoing recovery efforts . In other news, as the 2024 election approaches, the Electoral College is showing signs of favoring Donald Trump in key swing states. Polls indicate that Trump has gained ground in crucial battlegrounds like Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, positioning him strongly for the race to 270 electoral votes. With the race still tight in several states, every vote will count.