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Chris Willman

@cwillman.bsky.social

Variety chief music critic and senior writer

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · yesterday

I loved getting a chance to talk in Telluride with the makers of a new documentary about Pete Townshend — and, by obvious inference, the Who itself. Kudos to Frank Marshall, Nigel Sinclair and Cassidy Hartmann for pulling it off. variety.com/2026/music/n... via @variety.com

Documentary Team Behind ‘Pete Townshend: Behind Blue Eyes’ Talks in Telluride About Capturing the Amazing, Sometimes Frustrating Journey of the Who’s Brilliant Architect

Three of the principal filmmakers behind 'Pete Townshend: Behind Blue Eyes' talk about the doc following its Telluride Film Festival world premiere.

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 2d ago

Here's my interview with the director of "Elsinore." This was one of my two favorite films at Telluride, and Andrew Scott is an instant leading choice to be nominated, but I hope there's an excellent shot for Simon and the film for best director and picture, too... variety.com/2026/film/ne...

‘Elsinore’ Director Simon Stone, Basking in Telluride’s Glow, on Making a Movie About Love of the Theater, the Peak AIDS Era, and Being ‘100% in the Service of Andrew Scott’

Following a rousing Telluride Film Festival reaction, 'Elsinore' director Simon Stone discusses Andrew Scott and the movie's theater and AIDS milieus.

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 3d ago

My first dispatch from Telluride this year... Bill Gates says, be afraid, be very afraid... variety.com/2026/film/ne... via @variety.com

At Telluride Film Festival, Bill Gates Compares Lack of Control Over AI to HAL in ‘2001’: ‘You Could Say “Please Shut Down,” and It Would Say, “OK, I Took That Under Advisement, But…”‘

Speaking at the Telluride Film Festival, Bill Gates warned about the lack of controls on AI and said, 'What we have now is almost like HAL in "2001."'

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · last wk.

I had some thoughts in this column about Stella Lefty's villification and why it's just a little more complicated than it's made out to be. variety.com/2026/music/c...

Why Stella Lefty’s ‘Boston’ Became the Biggest Musical Punching Bag of the Decade — and One of the Biggest Songs of the Year

Stella Lefty's 'Boston' is bringing out levels of hate rarely seen for a single song. And it's one of 2026's biggest hits. Does it deserve the enmity?

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · last wk.

Either this was the festival of my dreams or that's just the heat stroke talking... At Daisy Chain Fields, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan and Honored Forebears Convene for a Superb Festival That’s Hot to Go in Every Way: Concert Review variety.com/2026/music/c...

At Daisy Chain Fields, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan and Honored Forebears Convene for a Superb Festival That’s Hot to Go in Every Way: Concert Review

Olivia Rodrigo's triumphant Daisy Chain Fields had current stars like Chappell Roan and Doechii joined by legends from Stevie Nicks to Bikini Kill.

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 2w ago

"Stop the presses" is not a completely antiquated phrase. This quickly written appreciation was the last thing sent to the printer for Variety's weekly print edition this afternoon... It doesn't do her justice, but we do what we can, when we're hurried and heartbroken.

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Loved talking with so many "Hadestown" folks: creator Anaïs Mitchell, actors Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada, André De Shields and Patrick Page, and director Brett Sullivan. Saw it again last night and what Sullivan did to immortalize the show was even more impressive. variety.com/2026/music/n...

‘Hadestown’ Brings Broadway’s Underworld to the Big Screen: Original Cast Members and Creator Anaïs Mitchell on Reconvening for a Smashing Cinema Event

Original cast members from 'Hadestown," as well as creator Anais Mitchell, talk about making the movie adaptation of the Broadway show now in theaters.

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 2mo ago

My recommendation for "Mexodus," a production now playing and worth your while at Pasadena Playhouse... variety.com/2026/legit/r... via @variety.com

‘Mexodus’ Review: The Underground Railroad Runs South to Mexico in a Pasadena Playhouse Musical That Feels as Spirited as a Two-Man ‘Hamilton’

'Mexodus,' at Pasadena Playhouse via a NYC run, brings hip-hop and Tex-Mex flavor to a musical that builds on 'Hamilton' spirit with just two players.

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This guy's in love with Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. My lost childhood was recovered, intact. A review of a memorable night at the Hollywood Bowl: variety.com/2026/music/c...

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass Whip It Good at the Hollywood Bowl, Returning After 59 Years for a Great Sugar Rush of a Show: Concert Review

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass played the Hollywood Bowl for the first time since 1967, and at 91, the frontman has not lost a step or trumpet blast.

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Always a pleasure to talk with Rhiannon Giddens about whatever she has going on. In this case, it's about a beautiful album she has coming out in September, "Hope Is the Thing With Feathers," that is quintessential Rhiannon. variety.com/2026/music/n... @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social @variety.com

Rhiannon Giddens Previews New Album, ‘Hope Is the Thing With Feathers’: ‘It’s a Punctuation Point’ to ’20 Years of Me Being a Roots and Americana Artist’

Rhiannon Giddens discusses a just-announced album, 'Hope Is the Thing With Feathers,' and its preview single, 'Carolina Rain,' plus her lead film role.

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

My review of Dylan's great new tour (which is like the previous tour in most key ways, and that's not a bad thing)... Bob Dylan Erects a Watchtower in the Desert With Moody, Magisterial Show at Palm Springs’ Acrisure Arena: Concert Review variety.com/2026/music/c... via @variety.com

Bob Dylan Erects a Watchtower in the Desert With Moody, Magisterial Show at Palm Springs’ Acrisure Arena: Concert Review

Bob Dylan's 'Long Hot Summer '26' tour is like the 'Rough and Rowdy Ways' tour immediately preceding it: mysterious, magnificent, unconcerned with hits.

variety.com

Joe Keenan@joekeenan.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Jimmy knew a joke could only surprise an audience once. If something was off en route to a great line he'd shout "Bup bup bup!" to cut the actors off, then go back so a big laugh wasn't wasted on a bad take. Writers loved him for that. And for lots of other reasons too. We will all miss him. 5/5

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Happy birthday Paul. This is an 80 best songs list I did when he was turning 80. I meant to update it to 84 picks today, and thought about adding my favorite from "Dungeon Lane," but I didn't get it done. Is there anything from the album you would add? variety.com/lists/paul-m... via @variety.com

Paul McCartney’s 80 Best Songs, Ranked

Here's a critical look at 80 of Paul McCartney's best songs, from "Let It Be" to "Helter Skelter" to "Hi, Hi, Hi."

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

An accounting of a great John Prine tribute I headed east to catch... At ‘Songwriters Salute John Prine’ Tribute at Wolf Trap in Virginia, Emmylou Harris, Margo Price, Allison Russell and Others Press the Case for Prine as America’s Poet Laureate variety.com/2026/music/n... via @variety.com

At ‘Songwriters Salute John Prine’ at Wolf Trap in Virginia, Emmylou Harris, Margo Price, Allison Russell and Others Make the Case for Prine as America’s Poet Laureate

A tribute concert for John Prine at Wolf Trap in Virginia brought together artists including Emmylou Harris, Margo Price, Allison Russell and Lucius.

variety.com

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Glad to catch up with Sara Bareilles and her director to discuss this terrific film... Sara Bareilles and Director Josh Alexander on Turning Loss Into Musical Magic in the Tribeca-Premiering Documentary ‘Good Grief’ variety.com/2026/film/ne...

Sara Bareilles and Director Josh Alexander on Turning Loss Into Musical Magic in the Tribeca-Premiering Documentary ‘Good Grief’

Singer Sara Bareilles and director Josh Alexander discuss their documentary, 'Sara Bareilles: Good Grief,' premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival.

variety.com

Adam Rose@adamrose.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Scott Pelley is no fool. He could have left earlier. He could have stuck around. He picked the most opportune moment to strike the biggest blow on behalf of truth and journalism. Whatever happens next, hijackers of CBS and 60 Minutes can’t wrap themselves in the brand’s hollowed out credibility.

Oliver Darcy@oliverdarcy.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Scott Pelley has provided @status.news a statement blasting current CBS News management and even accusing them of having tried (and failed) to "inject falsehoods and bias" into his stories. www.status.news/p/scott-pell...

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Chris Willman@cwillman.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Bob Dylan turns 85 Sunday. Five years ago, some of us came up with a list of the 80 best cover versions of Dylan songs for Variety, so this seems like a fine time to resurrect that... And here's a bonus list of 50 more! 50 More of the Best Bob Dylan Covers Ever Recorded variety.com/lists/best-b...

The 80 Best Bob Dylan Covers

In honor of a birthday milestone, Variety picks the 80 best Bob Dylan covers, from the Byrds, Joan Baez and Jimi Hendrix to Nick Cave and Ministry.

variety.com