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Classic, Culty, Plaid: From Heritage Tartan To Streetwear Checks

Vera Adamidou
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Classic, Culty, Plaid: From Heritage Tartan To Streetwear Checks

Plaid always finds its way back, let that be known. Every couple of seasons it returns stronger, making us look at Fall runways and trend forecasts, wondering if checks are back on the list again. Spoiler, they almost always are. Cold weather just loves those squares. Here’s a quick background check and how to finally make your closet admit that checked print is cool.

Plaid equals Scotland in most people’s minds, but the pattern’s way older than kilts and bagpipes. Bronze Age Europe? Checks. Alpine digs? Checks. Celtic and African tribes? Also checks. No fashion, just weavers trying to make cloth durable. But yes, Scotland is where plaid finally got its storyline. Clans had their own tartans, literal patterned IDs. Wear the wrong one and it wasn’t a style mistake, it was one of identity, loyalty, politics and territory. What started with lines became a cultural system everywhere. And that system went from aristocracy, basically Royal’s second skin, to street statement thanks to Vivienne Westwood and punk culture, and somehow ended up being a preppy favorite too. Checks really have commitment issues, what a journey. And yet here we are centuries later, treating them like a whole new aesthetic.

Today plaid lives everywhere, oversized structured coats, pleated Chopova Lowena-like skirts, knee-high stiletto boots, they come in every possible way. Finally, well deserved. And oh boy, what a killer outfit they make when worn right. Mix and match is almost always the way to go for a statement in checks. My simplest tip is, dig out that old plaid from high-school glory days, spot the main colors of the pattern, and echo them in a second piece. If you’re feeling daring, go on and add more pieces. Starting off small with streetwear? A simple checkered scarf under a plaid cap will do. Want to go bigger? Think maxi skirt, perhaps asymmetric over a pair of pants, padded blazer, structured coat, heeled boots and a tie. Keep a breathing space, a crisp white shirt underneath, bag and sunglasses. Moral of the day, there’s countless plaid out there, don’t just wear it, mix it and layer it. Full effect is always bolder.

From utility to identity, status to revolution, runways to streets, plaid has truly earned its stripes. Punks, weavers, royals, checks have seen it all, so however you choose to embrace them, now is your moment. They aren’t subtle though, so why should you be? Make those squares proud.

Ghost of Yōtei Adds New Game Plus in Major November Update

Prince Addams
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Ghost of Yōtei Adds New Game Plus in Major November Update

Ghost of Yōtei has just received a new update for November. In particular, the latest patch debuts the free New Game Plus mode for all players. It also adds more features, rewards, and multiple fixes. This move aims to give fans more reasons to stay engaged in the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima.

The launch of version 1.100 keeps the momentum going for the game. Since its launch, this action-adventure title has seen hefty success. In fact, it recorded around two million sales in just a few days after the exclusive PS5 release.

“We’re extraordinarily grateful for all of the support you’ve shown Ghost of Yōtei since our launch last month,” Sucker Punch Productions said.

Now, players can go at it again after completing the central campaign to improve and expand their gaming experiences.

New Game Plus Mode in Ghost of Yōtei

As announced by the developers, the New Game Plus mode lets players replay Atsu’s quest for vengeance. Specifically, they can do this with everything they have gained throughout the campaign. It means that all the abilities, armors, and weapons acquired during their initial playthrough remain. Having the option to bring advanced gear into early encounters makes things feel fresh and strategic. The new mode also adds more challenging difficulty options and two other Trophies.

At the same time, patch 1.100 introduces Ghost Flowers. These will serve as the in-game currency. Players can use Ghost Flowers to buy cosmetic items and additional upgrade tiers from a new vendor.

However, the New Game Plus mode only opens after completing the primary story.

For those who do not want to redo everything, the update adds the ability to replay challenge content. Now, players can revisit 22 Yōtei Six Camps and 26 Duels.

Expanded Features and Accessibility Improvements

Based on the official patch notes, players can now:

  • Access Photo Mode features, including a composition grid, filters, and shutter speed.
  • Enjoy directional button remapping for better accessibility.
  • Experience improved performance and stability thanks to crash and bug fixes
  • Turn off fall damage, enable auto-looting, and skip Sumi-e minigames.
  • Use VRR and Balanced Graphic mode to support 120Hz refresh rates.

Availability and Looking Ahead

Patch 1.100 of Ghost of Yōtei is now live in the game for all PS5 players. Meanwhile, fans should look forward to the comeback of Ghost of Yōtei Legends sometime in 2026. Sucker Punch Productions has confirmed that the return of this mode brings two co-op, four survival missions, and four classes.

Drakantos: Complete Guide to the Latest Details

Prince Addams
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Drakantos: Complete Guide to the Latest Details

Drakantos is an upcoming free-to-play MMORPG from Wingeon Game Studios LLC. This new game builds on the successes of popular titles in the genre. The inspirations include Chrono Trigger, Graveyard Keeper, Stardew Valley, and Stoneshard. It also joins another forthcoming Steam game, Japanese Rural Life Adventure, in using pixel art for its visuals.

Set in the fantasy world of Eldras, the game offers cooperative and competitive play, fast-paced action combat, unique heroes, and an evolving experience. So, players can expect a mix of adventure, strategy, and social interaction.

Gameplay, Heroes, and Customization

According to Wingeon Game Studios LLC, players can team up with friends or go solo into dungeons. The game also regularly changes with new bosses, enemies, traps, and objectives. Drakantos promises a unique playthrough over time.

On top of that, it also boasts over 20 playable heroes. Each character has its own abilities, roles, and traits. Likewise, there will be more heroes coming in every update. As of writing, here are the confirmed heroes:

  • Arryn
  • Byron
  • Faendar
  • Irhaal
  • Iris
  • Kavras
  • Korz
  • Liam
  • Marly
  • Mohazus
  • Ophis
  • Ojore
  • Orbryn
  • Ozul
  • Reya
  • Thomas
  • Urijor
  • Yuki
  • Yura
  • Zeugladius

Similarly, the game has customization features. Players can unlock icons, pets, skins, and titles. There are even 30 unique emotes per hero for them to use. In the same way, players can enhance the experience through systems that offer depth.

Competitive Play in Drakantos

Drakantos also features a PvP system to cater to those who want competitive challenges. Particularly, it will have in-game tournaments, multiple game modes, and ranked matches. To give players fair chances, stats are going to be equal. It means that only skill and strategy can determine the winner.

System Requirements of Drakantos

In order to ensure a smooth gaming experience, the developers also provided suggested PC specs.

Minimum system specs for Windows:

  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Graphics: 1GB Video Memory, shader model 3.0+
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • OS: Windows 7+
  • Processor: Intel Core i3
  • Storage: 1 GB available space

Minimum system specs for SteamOS + Linux:

  • Graphics: 1GB Video Memory, shader model 3.0+
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • OS: Linux 64-bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i3
  • Storage: 1 GB available space

Launch Date and Availability

As of now, Drakantos does not have a release date. The Steam page still has it under “Coming Soon.” In the meantime, MMORPG fans can stay on the lookout, as it promises to deliver a fresh experience. Also, the game will be a Steam exclusive at launch.

Flashing Lights and Pure Catharsis: A Dispatch from EDC Orlando

Teddy Duncan Jr.
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Flashing Lights and Pure Catharsis: A Dispatch from EDC Orlando

Initiates in ancient Greece engaged in semi-religious Dionysian Mysteries—orgiastic rituals of dancing, music, intoxicants (namely wine and trance-inducing drugs available in the pre-modern world), and sex. The Mysteries are enigmatic; aside from worshipping the mythic god Dionysus and seeking some form of ecstatic experience, it isn’t clear why large groups fucked around a fire while listening to hypnotic music, high on psychotropic plant material and wine. It seems helplessly speculative to think we can fully know.

One can easily imagine, though, a group of diligent archaeologists in 1,000 years excavating the site of Electric Daisy Carnival Orlando, recovering a varicolored acrylic kandi bracelet inscribed “Pound Town” and mistaking it for prayer beads. Then, after finding evidence of a mass gathering of people, bodily fluids, and a pharmacopoeia of drugs, the archaeologists would be certain they’d discovered the site of a ceremony like the Mysteries, rather than a 3-day electronic music festival sponsored by Zyn, Geek Bar, and White Claw.

In an oblique sense, maybe the archaeologists would not be wrong. A common impulse does run through the Dionysian Mysteries and raving—it is the same cathartic impulse I witnessed the weekend of EDCO, a visceral release evinced on the raver’s face, sucking on a flashing, light-up pacifier, totally subsumed by a loud, pulsating beat and the tens of thousands at any given stage.

The only difference is now, instead of a conversion through rites and rituals and customs, initiation is the requisite cost of a ticket. Commercial nicotine pouches, vapes, and alcoholic seltzers are, aptly, the holy trinity of our contemporary cathartic gatherings.

This doesn’t mean EDCO doesn’t have its own rituals.

Michelle Lhooq, who covers rave culture professionally and is hyper-aware of its intricacies—unlike me, someone who has never written on music at all, and has been to less than a dozen raves—writes that most raves are “cringe.”  For Lhooq, “much of the commercial rave scene feels more like a commodified leisure site, a Disneyland.”

It wouldn’t be a gratuitous comparison to say that EDC is the Disneyland of raves. It has excessively long lines, criminally overpriced food, cramped public spaces (there were crowd surges on Sunday due to the festival being over-sold, where people had to move, inch-by-inch (if moving at all), in a fairly wide area leading from the back stage to the front of the festival—a friend said she was stuck in a surge, completely immobile and alone and rolling on MDMA, for about five minutes) insufficient restroom capacity, and, like the fast pass ticket at Disney (enabling one to skip long lines), there is a hierarchized caste system of GA, GA+, and VIP—each with their own corresponding bathrooms, slightly less inundated by dazed attendees’ urine depending on your caste.

If I had to guess, Lhooq would likely place EDC firmly within the “cringe” camp. It is mainstream, and the mainstream is cringe. As a friend told me, raving used to be for eccentrics and outsiders and weirdos and now it is for finance bros with VIP passes. (Maybe this isn’t true for all raves—such as the “underground” raves that Lhooq champions.)

We could blame this on the splintering of culture—there is no longer initiated and uninitiated, no more homogeneous unified culture to “counter.” The only thing that remains is the flattening procedure of money, where entry to any culture can be purchased at a market-determined price. Sometimes this flattening takes on the guise of inclusivity: no one (who can afford a ticket) is left out (although they may still be left out of VIP or GA+). Disney World is inclusive in the exact same way.

Yet, there is something distinctly un-cringe, cathartic, and fun about EDCO. Or maybe cathartic and fun despite being cringe. I’m not sure it matters.

I’ve been to EDC a few times over the past decade—I like the lights and child-like affability of ravers—but for someone who knows little-to-nothing about EDM (or, more precisely, literally nothing aside from DJ Snake radio hits), year to year, little seems to change. I wouldn’t be sure what to say about EDCO 2025 that distinguishes it from 2024 or 2022, aside from increasing crowds. (Unlike an authentic electronic music fan, I can’t comment on the DJ sets themselves.) There are, as always, stunning lights beaming from the stages, very complimentary people high on MDMA (or some unknown-to-them chemical analogue of MDMA) who love your shirt/pants/hat, and trains of twinks worming through the crowd, either towards the stage or trying desperately to leave.

While I enjoy EDC, I am never able to shed a certain level of self-consciousness around so many people. Sometimes, I find it surprising that an entire generation appears able to do so, almost naturally dancing uninhibited. Especially a generation which is, as we’re constantly reminded by media reports, putatively addled by anxiety and depression. Yes, empathogens and psychedelics (drugs that eliminate self-consciousness or augment spectacle, namely LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, or MDMA) contribute to this radical openness, but this ability does not seem monocausal—drugs do not exhaust the feeling of openness felt across the festival. This openness, the absolute absence of self-consciousness, is needed for true catharsis.

One lyric I heard, walking the grounds, perfectly captured the default disposition needed for EDCO: “I don’t wanna think too much / I don’t want to think at all.” Catharsis—like dancing to electronic music for hours—is an a-reflective activity, and thinking would only obstruct the cathartic release.

Attending EDC as press positioned me in a way I enjoyed—removed, at a distance from my own experience, with an awareness that I was spectating “for an article.” I was an anthropological researcher, observing the modern-day Dionysian Mysteries, trying to capture and understand the impulse that an archaeologist in 1,000 years would dedicate their life to knowing. (Truthfully, I should have taken more notes. It is easy to think one is “absorbing” it all—only to realize later that the experiential “it all” fleetingly slides past memory.)

I spoke to a handful of people at the festival as “press,” asking them why they attended. Most referenced a DJ set I immediately forgot, or “vibes.” A twentysomething man holding a totem featuring Jeffrey Epstein, which read “This sign did not kill itself,” said he came for the “orgasmic” DJ sets.

Trying to understand that impulse as anything other than pleasure and enjoyment is trivial, like asking someone to describe what exactly they derive from listening to a catchy melody or eating chocolate ice cream.

EDCO, like most raves in America, has a schizophrenic attitude towards drugs: The organizers are aware their festivals have an auto-gravity which attracts drug-use, and to a degree acknowledge it, by having “Dance Safe” present—an organization for drug safety—and spaces like “The Oasis” for when someone is having a difficult drug experience (acting as a generic “chill-out” spot). There were also signs posted Saturday and Sunday, warning attendees of fentanyl-laced drugs, following what I assume were a number of overdoses on Friday. But, they also explicitly disavow drug use, stating that this is a “drug-free” festival and do not provide, or permit, drug testing, which would help attendees determine if the drug they purchased is actually the drug they thought they were purchasing.

I recall being in the artist lounge/media hub bathroom, washing my hands, when a man wearing only swimming trunks beside me commented on the Sunday rain, then proceeded to snort a powder from a small spoon—I wondered if it was cocaine or ketamine or MDMA, then wondered if he knew what it was. The real danger isn’t drugs at EDCO (since drugs are only inert chemicals, safe at some doses and toxic at others), but rather the fundamental unawareness of what any given drug really is.

The festival’s approach to drugs (in order to avoid any legal culpability—since the US itself has an anti-harm reduction approach to drugs and drug testing) leads, indirectly, each year, to overdoses and terrifying experiences. I personally witnessed three people being wheeled out of crowds and one seizure.

EDC also serves alcohol (primarily Beat Boxes—an uber-sweet boxed cocktail with 13% ABV, sold for around $20 after tax, pre-tip), which, when used concomitantly with virtually any drug, becomes dangerous. The festival can claim plausible deniability for this, of course, by appealing to their drug-free statement.

There are drugs, and maybe there is cringe, but if anything about EDC would survive and remain intelligible in a millennium, it would likely be PLUR. PLUR, the basic rave acronym, standing for peace, love, unity, and respect (I wonder if Lhooq would call PLUR cringe?), is a kind of countervailing drive against the worst excesses of music festivals and mass gatherings. It is certainly not the attitude of all 300,000 EDCO-goers over the course of the weekend, some of whom shove their way through crowds, very un-PLUR-like—but for enough, maybe even a strong minority, it is a serious edict.

Enacted, it looks like a sort of ambient generosity: complimenting and speaking to strangers and being vigilant for those who may have over-indulged in drugs/alcohol.

One raver I spoke to said, “PLUR is rave culture—it is welcoming . . . there’s nothing like it.” Another group of ravers, whose sign said, “PLUR is Vegan,” were emphatic that PLUR has outside-world implications. For them, this meant applying PLUR to outside contexts, like animals. To them, PLUR could change the world.

PLUR could be viewed cynically as a reductive platitude—a too-easy answer of ‘peace and love’—but, despite all the criticisms of EDC and “commercial” raves, an attitude like PLUR, non-judgemental and kind, does lend itself to a singular experience in an oftentimes PLUR-less world. PLUR is the closest thing to a religious mandate EDC has—a loosely-followed four commandments.

When I was leaving, about thirty minutes before the close of Sunday, avoiding rain-puddles while eating mini-pretzels from the media hub, I walked past a man in sunglasses at the margins of the festival near the main exit, wearing a bold-text hoodie announcing: “I’m only here for the rave booty.”

How Artists Actually Use AI in 2025 and What That Means for Music

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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How Artists Actually Use AI in 2025 and What That Means for Music

If you hang around musicians long enough, you’ll hear two contradictory takes about AI: “It’s ruining music,” and “It saved my mix at 3 a.m. and I will never live without it.”

Both can be true.

But according to new research from LANDR’s global community, one thing isn’t up for debate anymore: artists are using AI… a lot. 

So what are musicians actually doing with AI? What are they worried about? And where is this headed?

Let’s break it down for the skimmers, the skeptics, and the secretly curious.

AI Is Officially Part of the Workflow (Yes, Yours Too)

Here’s the headline: 87% of artists already use AI somewhere in their workflow. 

But AI isn’t monolithic—artists use it in different ways depending on what they need.

Technical tasks are the gateway drug

Think: mastering, stem separation, restoration, timing correction. 79% of artists reach for AI in these areas. It’s fast, it’s accurate, and it handles the tedious bits nobody brags about on Instagram. 

Creative tasks aren’t taboo anymore

Old narrative: “Real artists don’t use AI to write.”

New narrative: 66% do.

But, artists aren’t using it to generate full songs nearly as much as they use it to generate parts of a song. 

Tools that help fill out arrangements with generated vocals, drums, guitars, bass and other instrumentals were more popular than full song generators in LANDR’s study.

From melody variations to chord progressions to arranging rough sketches into full songs, musicians increasingly treat AI as the session musician who never misses rehearsal. 

Promotion is the sleeper category

More than half (52%) use AI for the part of music-making almost everyone hates:
cover art, bios, captions, analytics, content ideas, the endless promo treadmill.

30% generate cover art and nearly 1 in 5 use AI just to come up with social post ideas. 

This is the first big shift AI has triggered: Artists aren’t waiting around for a team, they’re building one.

How 29% of Artists Use AI Creatively 

The stereotype is that AI songwriting means pressing one button and praying the output slaps. But the reality is more modular and way more practical.

According to the data, here’s where creators lean in hardest:

  • 18% generate lead vocals
  • 16% generate drum patterns
  • 16% generate instrumental parts (piano, strings, horns, etc.)
  • 14% arrange sketches into songs 
  • 13% generate melodies and chord progressions 

In other words: AI isn’t replacing songwriting, it’s speeding up the parts that block songwriting.

Need a quick guitar riff because yours sounds like elevator music? Or vocal placeholders because your singer is in Bali? How about five melody variations to pick the one that doesn’t annoy you?

AI is filling the gaps so humans can stay in flow. And that aligns with the #1 reason artists say they use AI: to fill skill gaps, followed closely by the need to work faster. 

Promotion: The AI Gold Rush Artists Didn’t Expect

When you zoom into future interest, something jumps out:
The strongest demand for AI isn’t in songwriting, it’s in promotion.

Across 52 potential uses tested, the greatest appetite was for:

  • Understanding audiences (84%)
  • Analyzing social and release stats (83%)
  • Translating content (82%)
  • Getting social content ideas (82%)
  • Advising on growing fanbases (81%)

Musicians aren’t just using AI to sound better, they’re using it to compete.
Because between TikTok churn and the ever-hungry Release Algorithm Gods, artists need every edge they can get.

This is where tools like LANDR’s ecosystem fit naturally: AI mastering, vocal processing, smart distribution, cover art, promo guidance, all in one place. It’s not hype anymore, it’s infrastructure.

So What’s Stressing Artists Out? (Here’s the honest part.)

Artists aren’t blindly optimistic. They’re excited and worried, sometimes in the same breath.

Top concerns:

  • Soulless or generic output (46%)
  • Ethics and consent of training data (43%)
  • Becoming too dependent on tech (34%)
  • Takedown rules (30%)
  • AI replacing humans (29%)

The through-line:
Musicians want AI that feels like a tool, not a shortcut that dilutes creativity or crosses ethical lines.

This is exactly why initiatives like LANDR’s Fair Trade AI Program matter: transparency, consent, and respect for artistic work. These are things that shouldn’t be optional.

If you’re curious about how LANDR is making AI tools ethically while helping artists find new ways to monetize their music, learn more about it here!

The Divide Is Growing

Here’s one of the most telling stats in the whole report:

  • 69% of artists are already using more AI tools than last year
  • 90% of that group plans to increase again next year
  • Among those not increasing usage, 76% plan to stay that way

This is the emerging split:

  • AI adopters: moving fast, levelling up, expanding skills
  • Traditionalists: holding their ground, but becoming a minority

Neither side is wrong, but they’re definitely not moving at the same speed.

So… Where Is AI in Music Actually Going?

If you zoom out beyond the hot takes, three big shifts are already underway:

1. Creators are becoming more self-sufficient

The new music stack: DAW + plugins + distribution + AI helpers.

It’s all creating a leaner, faster ecosystem where fewer tasks require hiring specialists.

2. AI is becoming part of the creative process, not a replacement

Think of it like synths in the ’80s: first controversial, then unavoidable, now a staple.

3. Promotion is where AI will explode next

Every artist is also a marketer now, and AI is the assistant they never had.

Artists Aren’t Afraid of AI, They’re Strategic About It

The report makes one thing clear: musicians aren’t choosing between “human” and “AI.”
They’re choosing tools that help them make better music, faster, with fewer roadblocks.

AI isn’t replacing the creative spark. It’s clearing the clutter around it.

And for most artists in 2025, that’s not scary, it’s empowering.

Indie Folk Makes a Comeback in the Age of Spotify Playlists

Our Culture Mag & Partners
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Indie Folk Makes a Comeback in the Age of Spotify Playlists

Indie folk distinguishes itself through acoustic-driven melodies and lyrical storytelling, drawing inspiration from classic folk while embracing contemporary instrumentation. In the early 2010s, the genre experienced a surge in popularity, with acts such as Bon Iver, The Lumineers, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, and Of Monsters and Men defining the era.

This period was so distinctive that the phrase “stomp clap hey” emerged to define the group sing-alongs, hand claps, stomping and shouting “Hey!” However, the era proved fleeting. A few years later, the distinctive, heartfelt sounds that defined the genre had receded from mainstream visibility.

The advent of Spotify has changed how listeners discover and engage with music. No longer must you scour the internet to find tracks suited to your preferences or explore new genres. The platform has built an ecosystem designed to constantly introduce you to new music with minimal effort.

The New Wave of Folk Artists

New creators are making waves in the indie folk genre, offering a blend of upbeat country, slow alternative, classic folk and modern instrumentation. One of today’s rising artists is Noah Kahan, whose songs strike a sweet spot between emotional lyricism and commercial success. His song “Stick Season” first went viral on TikTok, prompting listeners to his Spotify profile to listen to the full track.

“So I had all these verses and choruses, and I put them on TikTok and crowdsourced the album in a lot of ways. I would see a positive response [and think] OK, I’m doing something good and I can keep going with it. That would help me finish them. A lot of the success of this album is definitely born on TikTok,” he says.

Now, as colder months approach, the warm, organic sound of acoustic guitars, raw vocals and pianos creates a sense of coziness and intimacy. Indie folk is ideal for moods like “chill,” “focus,” “sad” and “introspective.” An unknown artist can have their song placed on a massive playlist like “Acoustic Covers” and find an audience overnight, bypassing the need for extensive marketing campaigns that the “stomp clap hey” era relied on.

In such playlists, you’ll likely encounter Hozier, Phoebe Bridgers, Lord Huron and Bon Iver. Hozier’s breakthrough was “Take Me to Church,” while Lord Huron’s “The Night We Met” went viral on TikTok. The genre has also helped independent artists gain recognition, such as Madi Diaz, whose album received two GRAMMY® nominations for Best Folk Album and Best Americana Performance. As these artists demonstrate, the genre continues to evolve and offers a space where all artists can achieve commercial success.

From Niche Genre to Playlist Staple

Passive listening has become the new norm, with audiences often incorporating it into their daily routines using curated playlists. Given people’s evolving listening habits, Spotify curators identified various contexts where music could provide a meaningful background. They crafted playlists like “Fresh Folk,” “Tender Acoustic” and even “Sad Girl Starter Pack,” collections that spotlight the organic, light-hearted textures emblematic of modern indie folk.

Contemporary music culture is largely shaped by meticulously produced pop and electronic tunes. In contrast, modern indie folk music distinguishes itself through its authenticity, offering a distinct alternative to the larger-than-life appeal of mainstream music. An artist can record their song in their bedroom, upload it to Spotify and, if it resonates with listeners, the algorithm can help it become a hit.

What’s Next for Indie Folk?

Despite its musical merit, indie folk has drawn criticism on social media, where users have associated it with a “cringey” cultural movement. Some say the music is inseparable from the early 2010s “millennial hipster” aesthetic. According to New York University associate professor Martin Scherzinger, hating the music is an easy outlet for frustration about bigger issues.

“The periodic eruptions of collectivized hating on a music genre — branding ‘stomp clap hey’ as indie gentrification, the commercialization of whimsy, nostalgic inauthenticity, etc. — is often a kind of trend of its own, a slightly misguided target for a larger issue concerning social and class resentment. Like so many other cultural eruptions, this is identifying a dated genre as a bigger problem than it ever was; a cultural response to a structural issue facing us today,” Scherzinger says.

Despite the criticism, indie folk endures. Established talents such as Noah Kahan, alongside emerging artists like Madi Diaz, continue to expand the genre’s appeal across diverse audiences. At its core, indie folk’s sustained popularity comes from its authentic songwriting and minimalist arrangements, two qualities that resonate in today’s personalized, algorithm-driven music landscape.

Jack Shaw is the Culture Editor for Modded, breaking down the trends, fandoms and more shaping today’s cultural landscape. His work explores everything from blockbuster franchises to local subcultures. Jack seeks to bring clarity, context, unique insight and a fan’s enthusiasm to every story. His writing can be found in Quartz, ComicBookMovie.com, The Outerhaven and more.

Pulp Cover Johnny Cash’s ‘The Man Comes Around’

Konstantinos Pappis
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Pulp Cover Johnny Cash’s ‘The Man Comes Around’

Pulp have shared a cover of Johnny Cash’s classic song ‘The Man Comes Around’. It was recorded for the British TV limited series The Hack, which is about the 2011 phone hacking scandal that led to The News of the World closing. Sharing the cover on Instagram, the band’s label, Rough Trade, wrote, “‘The Man Comes Around’ is a cover of a song by another JC: Johnny Cash, no less.” Take a listen below.

Pulp released their first new album in 24 years, More, earlier this year.  Their rendition of ‘The Man Comes Around’ is the A-side to a new 12″ exclusive to Rough Trade shops, accompanied by two B-sides: ‘Marrying for Love’ and ‘Cold Call on the Hotline’.

Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff Dead At 81

Konstantinos Pappis
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Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff Dead At 81

Jimmy Cliff, the reggae icon whose role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come helped introduce the genre to international audiences, has died at the age of 81. Cliff’s wife, Latifa Chambers, revealed in a post that the musician died due to complications from a seizure followed by pneumonia. “Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace,” Chambers wrote. “To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career.” Her message was also signed by their children, Lilty and Aken.

Born James Chambers in Saint James, Jamaica in 1944, Cliff’s career began in the early 1960s after he moved to the island’s capital Kingston at the age of 14. Taking the surname as an expression of the heights he intended to reach, Cliff recorded two singles before being introduced to producer Leslie Kong, who produced several of his ska hits between 1962 and 1967. He was chosen as a Jamaican representative at the World’s Fair expo in New York in 1964 and appeared in the This Is Ska! documentary that same year. But his career really picked up when he signed to Island Records and moved to the UK.

Cliff’s debut album, Hard Road to Travel, came out in 1967. Though initially marketed to a rock audience, which led to him covering songs like Procul Harum’s ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’, but his 1969 singles ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’ and ‘Vietnam’ – the latter of which was once hailed by Bob Dylan as the best protest song he had ever heard – fared much better. He also scored a UK Top 10 in 1970 with a rendition of Cat Stevens’s ‘Wild World’.

In 1972, Cliff played the lead in The Harder They Come, portraying a struggling singer who turns to a life of crime, though he was initially hired just to compose the film’s soundtrack. Cliff’s songs on the soundtrack – including the title track, ‘You Can Get If You Really Want’, ‘Many Rivers To Cross’, and ‘Sitting In Limbo’ – are some of the most beloved reggae tunes of all time. Its success led to a tour of America and a musical guest slot on the first season of Saturday Night Live.

In the late 1970s, Cliff took a break from music, traveled to Africa, and converted to Islam. He went on to win a Grammy for his 1985 album Cliff Hanger and collaborated with the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, and Joe Strummer. He also he regularly appeared on soundtrack albums and acted in the movies Club Paradise and Marked for Death. His cover of Johnny Nash’s ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ featured in the 1993 film Cool Runnings.

Cliff was awarded Jamaica’s Order of Merit in 2003 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. He earned his second Grammy Award in 2012 for the album Rebirth. His final album, Refugees, came out in 2022.

Your 2025 Guide to All-Inclusive Cancun Wedding Costs & Best Resorts

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Your 2025 Guide to All-Inclusive Cancun Wedding Costs & Best Resorts

Planning an all-inclusive Cancun wedding in 2025? Swap the typical $30,000 U.S. price tag for a beach celebration that usually runs about one-third of that. Most four-star resorts roll your venue, food, open bar, and on-site coordinator into a single, predictable invoice. Pair that with nonstop flights from major U.S. cities often under $400 and roughly 300 sunny days each year, and the savings—and the setting—add up fast. Below, you’ll find the real 2025 numbers and nine resorts that match every vibe, from mega guest lists to intimate, adults-only elegance.

What an all-inclusive Cancun wedding really costs

A 2025 all-inclusive Cancun wedding for 30–60 guests averages $6,500–$8,500, according to Joy’s destination-wedding survey. For comparison, The Knot places the typical U.S. celebration at about $33,000 (nearly five times higher).

Because one package bundles the ceremony venue, food, open bar, décor, and on-site coordination, you pay one invoice while the resort manages every detail. Guests save, too, since meals and margaritas are folded into their room rate. Resorts rarely stop at one bundle; most publish three to five Cancun Wedding Packages you can remix with extra guests or décor, so the final bill flexes with your priorities.

Costs rise or fall with five controllable levers:

  1. Guest count. Seats above the package limit run roughly $50–$200 each.
  2. Season. Travel in May or November to trim bills by as much as twenty-five percent while keeping turquoise views.
  3. Ceremony type. A symbolic service avoids judge fees, translations, and the blood test.
  4. Package tier. Entry bundles hover near $1,000; premium, top-shelf affairs approach $10,000.
  5. Upgrades. Photography, DJs, or floral arches may add a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Even after add-ons, most couples still finish between $7,000 and $10,000, often less than catering alone stateside. Next, we unpack what every package includes and where extra charges appear.

What wedding packages include and what they skip

What’s included in a Cancun all-inclusive wedding package? Almost every resort supplies the same ceremony staples: a white-draped beach pergola or gazebo, rows of chairs, an altar table, an officiant for a symbolic service, a bouquet and boutonnière, a small cake, and a sparkling-wine toast. This starter kit is often complimentary once you meet the room-night threshold.

Step up one level and the resort layers in a private cocktail hour plus a two- or three-hour dinner reception with open bar, giving you a dedicated dance floor. Higher tiers fold in live musicians, upgraded linens, spa credits, welcome parties, and farewell brunches.

Items that usually fall outside the bundle:

  • Photography or video: full-day coverage averages $1,500–$5,000 in Cancun
  • DJ or live band: plan on $800–$2,000
  • Legal paperwork: judge fees, translations, and required blood tests add $400–$800
  • Décor enhancements: ceiling string lights, floral tunnels, and mirrored aisles are à la carte
  • Extra guests: resorts charge about $80–$120 per person beyond the headcount cap

Bottom line: entry packages deliver a photo-ready “I do,” mid-tiers create a full reception, and premium tiers feel like a long-weekend celebration. Decide first on your must-have vibe and paperwork requirements; the right package level will appear quickly.

Making it legal (or keeping it simple): Cancun marriage requirements

In Mexico couples can choose between two paths:

  • Symbolic ceremony. Most pairs sign the papers at home first, then exchange vows by the sea, avoiding extra paperwork.
  • Civil ceremony. This option is legally binding worldwide but requires additional documents, fees, and logistics.

If you select the civil route, Quintana Roo asks for the following, based on current registry guidelines and resort advisories:

  1. Valid passports and tourist entry cards for both partners plus four adult witnesses
  2. A locally taken blood test (HIV, STD, blood type) within 14 days of the wedding; on-site labs cost about $300 per couple
  3. A certificate showing no outstanding child support, required statewide since July 2023
  4. Certified, Spanish-translated copies of divorce decrees or death certificates if applicable, each with an apostille
  5. Arrival at least three business days before the ceremony so your coordinator can file the paperwork

Registry office fees sit near $30, but when a judge travels to the resort the charge jumps to $500–$1,000. Many packages list that judge fee as an add-on.

Most couples skip the extra steps and choose a symbolic service. Guests witness the same beachfront “I do,” while you avoid the blood test, witness coordination, and longer stay. Pick the path that fits your comfort level, and your resort team will execute it smoothly.

Planning smarter, not harder: lean on local pros

Should you hire a wedding planner for a Cancun resort wedding? Technically you can manage without one, yet couples who work with a local, commission-paid planner cut email chains, avoid hidden fees, and usually secure stronger room contracts.

Begin with a ten-minute self-check: jot down your non-negotiables (adults-only vibe, under-$10k budget, rooftop ceremony). With that list in hand, pass the logistics to someone who already knows every banquet manager by name.

Paradise Weddings, a Playa del Carmen destination-wedding travel agency that has orchestrated more than 1,000 Riviera Maya ceremonies, leverages those relationships to bundle free cocktail hours, room upgrades, and even cash-back credits into your room block while the resort picks up their commission.

What a planner handles while you relax:

  • Narrowing options to three–five resorts that match guest count, style, and nightly rate
  • Comparing packages side by side so a $5,000 “deal” is not ceremony-only
  • Tracking promotions like free rooms or cocktail parties tied to booking dates

Even spreadsheet fans agree a local pro who reads Spanish contracts, coordinates day-pass vendors, and calls the on-site team at 7 am adds real peace of mind. Draft your wish list, confirm the budget, and book that discovery call; future-you will be grateful from the cabana.

Top Cancun wedding resorts: 9 “best for” winners in 2025

1. Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort

Best for big guest lists on a budget

The Beyond Memorable package costs $11,499 for up to 79 guests (symbolic ceremony) or $13,799 with legal paperwork, which works out to roughly $146 per person. The bundle covers a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, ceremony décor, cocktail hour, and a three-hour reception with an open bar. Extra guests are $149 each. Set inside a gated enclave 35 minutes from the airport, the resort offers two miles of white sand, a dolphin habitat, and a mini water park. Guests seeking quiet can stroll to adults-only Secrets Playa Mujeres next door.

2. Hyatt Ziva Cancun

Best all-around pick for families and foodies

Perched on a peninsula at the tip of the Hotel Zone, Ziva surrounds guests with turquoise water on three sides. The popular Lavish & Opulent package lists $6,251 for 20 guests Monday–Wednesday and $6,851 Thursday–Sunday, with $118 per additional guest. It includes a symbolic ocean-view ceremony, one-hour cocktail party, and a private three-hour dinner reception with open bar. Eight restaurants, a microbrewery, and a kids’ water park keep every age entertained.

3. Hyatt Zilara Cancun

Best adults-only escape

Hyatt Zilara offers child-free elegance in the mid-Hotel Zone. The Lavish & Opulent package is $5,569 for 20 guests Monday–Thursday and $6,169 Friday–Sunday, with $90 per extra guest. You receive a beach-gazebo ceremony, one-hour cocktail party, gourmet dinner reception, open bar, and breakfast in bed. Only one wedding is scheduled per prime venue each day, ensuring exclusivity.

4. Paradisus Cancun

Most scenic venue with cultural flair

Five glass-topped pyramids and indoor jungles create striking photo backdrops. Packages start with a complimentary symbolic ceremony once room-night minimums are met. The themed Tropical Fairy Tale option sits near $2,000, while Nature Vibes is $7,000 for 30 guests, with $150 per additional guest. Multicultural teams handle South Asian baraats, Persian sofreh tables, and same-sex ceremonies with ease.

5. Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun

Best beachfront luxury that feels private

Maroma’s powder-white sand ranks among the world’s finest. The mid-tier Eternal Love package runs $4,799 in August–October and $5,649 November–July for 20 guests, plus $100 per extra guest. It bundles a gazebo ceremony, cocktail hour, three-hour reception, salon services, and breakfast in bed. Service is wristband-free, and pool attendants anticipate needs before guests ask.

6. Moon Palace – The Grand

Best for large, multi-day celebrations

With more than 2,000 rooms and venues that seat 1,000, Moon Palace Cancun trades preset tiers for event credits earned through room nights. A group booking around 200 room nights can cover a welcome party, ceremony, cocktail hour, and three-hour reception without extra cost. Real couples report three-day, 100-guest weddings landing between $16,000 and $22,000, credits included.

7. Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun

Best boutique adults-only option for food lovers

The flagship Corazón package lists $11,193 for 50 guests, with $120 per additional guest. It delivers a seaside ceremony draped in orchids, one-hour cocktail party, three-hour premium-bar reception, live music, and a dessert wall. Aromatherapy, chef-led tastings, and sunset saxophone sessions create a relaxed-luxury atmosphere.

8. Planet Hollywood Cancun

Best trendy new resort with a party vibe

Opened in 2021, Planet Hollywood stages weddings like movie premieres. The PH Glam package costs $11,199 for 40 guests, adding a red-carpet aisle, DJ set on the sand, late-night slider bar, and beach-fireworks finale. Suites ring a huge central pool that hosts daily foam parties, and an adults-only rooftop bar offers a getaway when guests need quiet.

9. Wyndham Alltra Cancun

Best wallet-friendly pick for families

Formerly Panama Jack, Wyndham Alltra keeps nightly rates often under $200 yet still provides a prime Hotel Zone beach and pirate-ship water park. The Luxury package lists $13,125 for 38 guests Monday–Thursday mornings and $13,650 Thursday evenings through Sunday, with $90 per extra guest. It covers a symbolic ceremony, cocktail hour, three-hour deluxe open-bar reception, two-hour DJ, beach bonfire, and a 50-minute couple’s massage.

(Package prices reflect 2025 list rates. Resorts may adjust for season or promotions; always confirm current quotes with your planner.)

Conclusion

An all-inclusive Cancun wedding lets couples host dozens of guests for a fraction of the cost of a traditional U.S. celebration. By choosing the right package level, season, and resort—and by leaning on local planning pros—you can land a picture-perfect beach ceremony and reception without the financial stress. Review the cost levers, decide whether you need a legal or symbolic ceremony, then match your wish list to one of the nine standout resorts above to make your 2025 wedding both simple and spectacular.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How much does an all-inclusive Cancun wedding cost in 2025?
    Most couples spend around $6,500–$8,500 for 30–60 guests, and even with upgrades, many end up between $7,000 and $10,000, which is still far less than a typical U.S. wedding.

  2. What is included in a typical Cancun all-inclusive wedding package?
    Most packages include a ceremony location (beach gazebo or pergola), basic décor, chairs, symbolic officiant, bouquet and boutonnière, small cake, sparkling-wine toast, and on-site coordination, with higher tiers adding cocktail hours, receptions, open bar, and sometimes live music or spa perks.

  3. What extra costs should we plan for beyond the base package?
    Common add-ons are photography and video, DJ or live band, legal ceremony fees (judge, translations, blood tests), décor upgrades (string lights, floral arches, special aisles), and per-person charges for guests above the package limit.

  4. Is it better to have a symbolic or a legal (civil) ceremony in Cancun?
    Most couples choose a symbolic ceremony in Cancun and handle the legal paperwork at home to avoid extra documents, blood tests, and judge fees, while still enjoying a full beachfront “I do” in front of their guests.

Do we need a wedding planner if the resort already has a coordinator?
You can rely on the resort coordinator, but a local, commission-paid planner can compare multiple resorts, negotiate better room-block perks, explain contracts, manage vendors, and track promotions, often without adding extra out-of-pocket cost for you.

The Sophistication of Play: How Games and Strategic Entertainment Are Becoming Legitimate Cultural Expressions

Sebastian Bickley
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The Sophistication of Play: How Games and Strategic Entertainment Are Becoming Legitimate Cultural Expressions

Play has always been fun, but now it is understood in a new way. People see that play also teaches thinking, planning, and understanding. Games today are smart and full of ideas. They help people of all ages learn new skills. Many grown-ups now play games to relax and to train their minds. This makes play an important part of culture. It shows that fun can also be smart and meaningful.

High-Skill Gaming as an Art Form: Why Premium Online Casino Platforms Attract Smart Players?

Some games online look simple, but they are very smart. They need focus and quick decisions. Many educated adults enjoy these games because they feel like puzzles. These games work like chess or poker, where every move matters. You must watch the game and choose the best action. The games of Platinumslots casino are designed with bright colors and rules. This makes them feel like a mix of art and strategy.

Many people like them because the games challenge the mind. They are not just about luck. They use planning and careful thinking. This makes the play feel high-level and interesting.

Why Smart Games Are Growing Today?

People want games that make them feel in control. They enjoy games that need planning, not only quick tapping. These games help people use their brains in a fun way. They also help players feel calm and focused. Smart games are a good mix of fun and learning, which makes them special. That is why more people choose them today.

How Design Makes Play Feel Like Art?

Good design makes games feel warm and exciting. Colors and movements work together to build a special world. Even simple games look beautiful when designers use care and skill. This makes players enjoy the game more. They feel like they are inside a small art piece. The design helps the game feel easy to understand. 

What Smart Games Teach Us?

Smart games teach skills that help in daily life. They train the mind to stay calm, make choices, and solve problems. They also help players learn how to think ahead. These skills stay with the player even after the game ends. Smart games help build strong minds and confident thinking. This is why many people see games as more than fun. They see them as tools for learning.

A Closer Look at Smart Play

Here is an intro sentence for the subheadings below. These points explain how smart games help the mind grow.

  • Thinking Skills

Smart games help the brain stay active. Players learn how to plan, notice patterns, and think clearly.

  • Focus and Calm

Games teach players to stay calm. They learn how to focus on each move and take their time.

  • Creative Ideas

Smart games open new ideas. They show new ways to solve problems and build confidence in trying new things.

Here is the end sentence that closes these subheadings. These skills show why smart play is strong, helpful, and important in life.

Why People Choose Smart Play Today?

Here is an intro sentence for the bullets below. These points explain why smart games are loved by people around the world.

  • People like games that make the brain work.
  • Many players want games that are safe and fair.
  • Players enjoy learning new tricks and skills while playing.
  • Good design makes the game feel smooth and beautiful.
  • Smart games help people relax and think clearly.

Here is the end sentence that closes the bullet list. These points show why smart games keep growing and why more people turn to them each year.

Smart Play in Modern Life

Smart play helps people understand themselves better. When players make choices in a game, they learn how they think. They also learn how to stay calm and choose the best path. This helps them in real life, too. Smart games teach patience and focus. They help players see that every step matters. This makes play not just fun, but helpful in daily life.

Games as a New Kind of Culture

Games today are more than simple fun. They are part of art, design, and thinking. Many schools teach game design. Museums talk about the history of games. People enjoy stories, pictures, sounds, and challenges found in games. These show that games are now a real cultural tool. They help people share ideas and stories. Games bring people together in many ways.

Moreover, play is no longer seen as something small. It is a smart and creative part of life. Smart games help people learn, grow, and enjoy new ideas. They build strong minds and calm thinking. Many adults enjoy games that use skill and strategy. This shows that play can be beautiful, thoughtful, and meaningful. In the future, games will stay important. They will continue to shape culture and bring bright ideas to life.

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