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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Everything you need to know before watching The Big Game | StarNotes episode 4

Everything you need to know before watching ‘The Big Game’ | StarNotes episode 4

Ethan and Olivia teach Angelina how football works. The three of them go through all the key information viewers should be aware of before Sunday's big game. To vote on who you think will win, enter the Northern Star's contest for a chance to win a...

A version of the Taylor Swifts album Midnights has the photo of Swift replaced with President Joseph Biden. Bidens presidency seems to match the Midnights era. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

US presidents as Taylor Swift eras

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief | January 16, 2024

U.S. presidents and Taylor Swift: not a comparison you see every day, but surprisingly many presidents do line up with at least one of her many eras. Each era of U.S. presidents can be connected to one of Swift’s 10 eras, some a bit more obvious than...

A microphone and a set of headphones hang among recording equipment in the Northern Star’s recording studio. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes shorter albums are more meaningful. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Long albums ruin music

By Kahlil Kambui, Senior News Reporter | November 20, 2023

Albums are getting too long. Some of the top albums of 2023 from artists such as Drake, Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen all total well over an hour long. There is no need for an album to have that many songs. Too many songs on an album can make it feel...

1989 (Taylors Version) album on vinyl and CD sit next to each other on a stand in Target. Taylor Swifts re-recorded album features five new tracks, or vault songs. (Sarah Rose | Northern Star)

Unlocking the ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ vault

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | October 29, 2023

Taylor Swift’s “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” vault songs are the Harry Styles diss tracks fans were hoping for in 2014 with the original release of “1989.” Swift continues her re-release tour with the drop of “1989 (Taylor’s Version).”...

A person dresses as Freddy Fazbear from the game Five Nights at Freddys during New York Comic Con. The games movie adaptation of the same name releases in theaters Oct. 27. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Taylor Swift album, game adaptation film release next week

By Sarah Rose, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 19, 2023

Spend a weekend at the theaters, or get your headphones ready for Taylor Swift’s new album. “Spirited Away” Studio Ghibli Fest ends its months-long film showings with “Spirited Away” in select theaters on Oct. 28 through Nov. 1.  Studio...

Taylor Swift and her dancers raise their hands during the final bow at one of her concerts. Swift has recently released a concert film of her Era’s Tour in theaters. (Tamya Burch | Northern Star)

‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,’ a concert-like experience

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | October 16, 2023

The “Eras Tour” doesn’t seem to be going out of style anytime soon as the sold out tour takes its friendship bracelets to theaters.  “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” premiered Oct. 13 exclusively in theaters to give fans a concert-like experience. Taylor...

Taylor Swift performs in a pink and blue sequined bodysuit during her Eras tour. Since rumors of Swift dating Chiefs player Travis Kelce blew up over social media, football fans and Swifties alike are confused about what the big deal is. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Explaining Swifties for sports fans

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | October 9, 2023

The most recent crossover between pop culture and sports, and the spike in viewership and sales for the National Football League, is thanks to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.  Swift is a singer, songwriter and global icon who is currently on break...

A screen still from the trailer for the film Dark Harvest depicts graffiti on a building warning those who walk by that Sawtooth is coming. The film releases on Roku on Oct. 13 and tells a haunting story of a cursed midwestern town. (Courtesy of YouTube)

Films for the superstitious, Taylor Swift lovers

By Sarah Rose, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 5, 2023

Friday the 13th has several superstitions around it, making the date known as one of caution and unease. Here are three films releasing on the next Friday the 13th, for your viewing pleasures.    “TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR” Taylor...

Taylor Swift (right) watches the Chicago Bears play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 24 at Arrowhead Stadium. Swifts fans cheered alongside her as rumors of her dating NFL Chiefs player Travis Kelce came out. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)

Explaining football for Swifties

By Angelina Padilla-Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief | October 1, 2023

Recently, it has been nearly impossible to scroll on social media or watch a football game without the mention of icon singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, tight end – a player that blocks and catches passes – for the Kansas City Chiefs.    Football...

Spotify logo on a computer with a blurry background.

A week of favorite artists, No. 1 picks

By Northern Star Staff | October 1, 2023

Nick’s picks: Bob Dylan - “I Was Young When I Left Home” Bob Dylan - “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” Bob Dylan - “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” Any music critic worth their salt will sing the praises of Bob Dylan...

The Culture Pop is the lifestyle podcast where Daija and Bridgette discuss current pop culture events.

‘The Culture Pop: A Northern Star Podcast,’ Episode 4

By Northern Star Staff | November 19, 2022

“The Culture Pop,” hosted by Lifestyle Editor Daija Hammonds and Chief Copy Editor Bridgette Fox, returns for a fourth episode. Listen on Spotify here: On this episode, Daija and Bridgette talk Selena Gomez’s “best friends," Nick Cannon’s...

This image released by Republic Records shows Midnights by Taylor Swift. (Republic Records via AP)

Album review: Taylor Swift gets vulnerable and reflective in ‘Midnights’

By Sarah Rose, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 27, 2022

In August, Taylor Swift won the VMA “Video of the Year” award for her short film “All Too Well.” During her acceptance speech, Swift shocked fans by announcing that her new album “Midnights” would release on Oct. 21. Album rollout  In an...