Kitchen Feedback

Good Dinks. Great Tunes.

Pickleball has become the sport of choice for everyone from retirees to professional athletes. Surprisingly, it has also found a growing following among musicians. Whether they’re looking for competition, fitness, or simply a way to unwind between shows, artists across genres are discovering the same thing the rest of us have learned: pickleball is incredibly hard to quit once you start.

M. Shadows: Metal Meets the Kitchen

As the frontman of Avenged Sevenfold, M. Shadows is known for sold-out arenas and thunderous performances. Away from the stage, however, he has developed a serious passion for pickleball. He has spoken openly about becoming deeply involved in the sport and introducing fellow musicians to the game. For a player whose day job involves commanding massive crowds, the fast reflexes and strategic battles of doubles pickleball seem like a natural fit.

James Valentine: From Tennis Purist to Pickleball Convert

Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine once considered himself a tennis traditionalist. Then pickleball happened. After years on the tennis court, he gradually found himself playing more pickleball than tennis and eventually embraced the sport wholeheartedly. Today, Valentine is one of the most visible musician-players in the pickleball community and regularly appears alongside professional players and at pickleball events.

Dua Lipa: Tour Bus to Pickleball Court

Life on a world tour sounds glamorous, but according to members of Dua Lipa’s touring entourage, it also includes a healthy dose of pickleball. The singer and her team reportedly became obsessed with the game while on the road. It turns out that even global pop stars enjoy a few dinks and drives between performances.

Billie Eilish: Playing for a Cause

Billie Eilish recently participated in a charity pickleball event in Los Angeles alongside her brother FINNEAS. While she may not be preparing for the professional tour anytime soon, she looked completely at ease on the court. Events like these show how pickleball has become a gathering point for musicians, actors, athletes, and everyday players alike.

The Universal Appeal

These artists may come from different musical worlds—metal, pop rock, chart-topping pop, and alternative pop—but they share a common hobby. Pickleball combines competition, community, and fun in a way few sports can match.

Perhaps that’s why so many musicians are finding their way to the kitchen line.

And if you’re reading Kitchen Feedback, chances are you already understand exactly why.