Your Guide To Record Store Day 2025, A Box Office Lesson From "Minecraft," And SNL's UK Debut

Happy Friday y’all!

In this week’s TFL, we’re covering:

• Your guide to this weekend’s Record Store Day and 10 must have records

• A little box office lesson and takeaway’s from A Minecraft Movie

• Saturday Night Live making the leap across the Atlantic

• A killer new “Good Noise” playlist featuring 30 new songs you need to hear from this week

• A round-up of this week’s new trailer drops

• Plenty of tidbits across the entertainment industry going on and in the works!

If you’re reading this on the web and haven’t subscribed yet, click here to join.

Thank you for being here - now let’s get into it!

—Stephen Frost

🎵 Record Store Day 2025: 10 Must Have Records To Cop This Weekend

Record Store Day returns this weekend, kicking off on Saturday, April 12th. The bi-annual shopping event celebrates independent record stores across the country, with a slew of exclusive vinyl drops that help drive traffic—and love—to local shops.

For the seasoned collectors among us, RSD is a thrilling (and sometimes chaotic) hunt. One-time pressings, limited runs, and wildly creative variants make for a competitive and fun experience—but also an overwhelming one. With hundreds of releases to choose from, we’ve handpicked 10 records we’re personally excited about and highly recommend grabbing if you spot them out in the wild.

1. A Day To Remember – Attack of the Killer B-Sides (15th Anniversary Edition) Commemorating its 15th anniversary, this EP features four fan-favorite B-sides, including "Right Where You Want Me to Be" and "Since U Been Gone." Pressed on a 10" vinyl, it's a must-have for pop-punk fans.

2. Anderson .Paak – Come Down (7" Single) This exclusive 7" single showcases Anderson .Paak's hit "Come Down," offering fans a collectible piece from the acclaimed singer’s breakout album Malibu.

3. CHVRCHES – Every Open Eye (10th Anniversary Special Edition) Celebrating a decade since its release, this special edition features the band's synth-pop masterpiece on translucent blue vinyl, including hits like "Leave a Trace" and "Clearest Blue."

4. Gracie Abrams – Live From Radio City Music Hall (2xLP) Capturing her captivating live performance, this double LP brings the ambiance of Radio City Music Hall to your turntable, highlighting Abrams' emotive songwriting and stage presence.

5. John Legend – Get Lifted… Rising (LP) A special release of John Legend's debut album, this edition offers fans a chance to experience the soulful sounds that launched his illustrious career two decades ago.

6. John Williams – Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Relive the magic with this 2xLP release of the iconic soundtrack, featuring John Williams' enchanting compositions that introduced audiences to the wizarding world.

7. Marcus King – Live From The Bluebird Café (2xLP) Experience the raw energy of Marcus King's live performance at the renowned Bluebird Café in Nashville, captured on this exclusive double LP.

8. Post Malone – Post Malone Tribute to Nirvana (LP) Honoring the grunge legends, Post Malone's tribute album features covers of Nirvana classics, offering a unique interpretation while supporting MusiCares' initiatives.

9. Taylor Swift – Fortnight (7" White Vinyl) Swifties, assemble. This crisp white 7" features “Fortnight” from The Tortured Poets Department, destined to be a collector’s gem.

10. Various Artists – Wicked: The Soundtrack (2xLP) Celebrate the beloved musical with this special edition soundtrack featuring an exclusive bonus track “Ozdust Duet,” bringing the magic of "Wicked" to vinyl enthusiasts and theater lovers alike.

Check out the full list from this year’s selection here! Will you be record crawling this weekend? Reply to this email and let us know what’s on your wishlist—we’re rooting for you to find your holy grails!

🍿 How “A Minecraft Movie” Is Teaching The Film Industry A New Box Office Lesson

Last week, A Minecraft Movie blew past box office expectations, earning $162.7 million domestic and $313.2 million globally against its $150 million budget — and maybe a few theater sound systems along the way. The Jason Momoa and Jack Black-led film became:

• The biggest video game adaptation opening weekend (beating Super Mario Bros.)

• The biggest opening weekend of 2025 (so far)

• And yes… it even beat Barbie’s record-breaking debut

But behind the chaos of “chicken jockey” crowd reactions and meme-worthy moments is a box office blueprint that Hollywood should pay attention to.

Here are three takeaways from Minecraft’s massive success — and why it matters for the future of moviegoing:

1. Today’s IP needs to speak to today’s fans

Hollywood has leaned on the same legacy franchises for years — but Gen Z wants something they grew up with. Minecraft, officially released in 2011, hit that sweet spot for a new generation of moviegoers.

If the industry wants to bring younger audiences back to theaters, it needs to serve stories that feel current — not just nostalgic. And as fans, we can send that message by showing up for the films we’re actually excited about.

2. Let the “chicken jockey” chaos live

Yes, some theaters are struggling to handle the wild fan reactions. But you know what? That energy is a good thing. Loud, passionate audiences mean people care.

And while that might not vibe with every moviegoer’s idea of the perfect screening, having designated showtimes or spaces for these louder crowds could be the move. Film culture thrives when it feels like an event.

3. Fan service isn’t a bad word

From Avengers: Endgame to Spider-Man: No Way Home, we’ve seen what happens when directors make their audiences feel seen.

Minecraft director Jared Hess knew exactly who he was making this movie for — and delivered with hidden game references, inside jokes, and Easter eggs galore. When fan service is done right, it turns a movie into a moment.

Bottom line: Minecraft just showed that if you give younger audiences what they actually want — and let them show up loud and proud — the box office will follow.

📺 “SNL” Is Hopping Across The Pond In 2026 For A New Lorne Michaels Produced Series

Get ready to say it with us: “Live from London, it’s Saturday night!”

Hot off the heels of its 50th anniversary celebration, NBC’s long-running sketch comedy institution Saturday Night Live is crossing the Atlantic. The show’s creator and executive producer, Lorne Michaels, is bringing an all-new UK version of SNL to Sky TV (NBC’s UK-based Comcast sibling) in 2026.

Michaels, now 80, will oversee the launch of the British spinoff, which will follow the classic SNL format—live broadcasts, a cast of local comedians, and a weekly rotation of celebrity hosts and musical guests.

What the UK folks are saying: Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Sky's Chief Content Officer for Sky, said in a comment: “For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels.”

Continuing that, “The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year – all live from London on Saturday night!”

This isn’t the show’s first foray into international waters—SNL has previously launched adaptations in Germany, Spain, Italy, China, Japan, South Korea, and Egypt. But the UK version feels especially full-circle, considering how much British comedy has influenced American sensibilities over the decades (Michaels has long cited Monty Python and The Goon Show as touchstones).

Why it matters: This opens new doors for British comics and writers looking to break into the U.S. market, no visa or cultural translation needed. If all goes well, the UK may finally get “more cowbell”—and a lot more sketch comedy chaos—as SNL plants its flag across the pond.

That’s it for this week folks. Let me know if you have any feedback or comments on what’d you like to see in this newsletter, feel free to reply to me on this email.

We’ll see you back again next Friday & have a great weekend!

Was this email forwarded to you? Want this newsletter in your inbox every week? Click below to subscribe. ⬇️