Originally Published on December 1, 2025 for Rock DNA Magazine Dracula’s Ball descended upon Underground Arts on the most fitting date of all, Halloween. While the ball has gone through quite a few venue switches throughout its years, this switch was one that fit most like the days at Shampoo (R.I.P.) in the early 2000s….
Category: Published Writing
Concert Review: Allison Russell and Kara Jackson Radiate Love In Philly
Originally Published on May 8, 2025 for Rock DNA Magazine Have you ever been to a show where optimism, activism, and fierce, unconditional love were present all at once? Those are exactly the vibes that the Philly stop of Allison Russell’s, All Returners Tour brought to the Theatre of Living Arts last week. Easing into this…
In This Moment’s Maria Brink: Empowering or Problematic for Metal Front Women?
Originally Published on November 25, 2014 by Samantha Sweeney for Rock On Philly. Women and their bodies are a battleground, subject to extreme criticism, especially in rock music. Last Tuesday night at In This Moment‘s show at Theatre of Living Arts, it became clear front-woman Maria Brink has engaged herself as the subject of that…
Geoff Downes of YES talks Yestival 2017, Philly, and How He Defines Success
Originally Published August 8, 2017 by Samantha Sweeney for Rock On Philly. Photo by Steve Knight via Flickr. After newly being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this past April, progressive rock legends Yes are returning to Philly tonight for their Yestival tour at the equally historic Tower Theatre. The band has…
Why Hozier’s “Cherry Wine” Is Important and We Should Be Talking About It
Originally Published February 17, 2016 by Samantha Sweeney for Rock On Philly When I first heard “Cherry Wine” on the way to Hozier‘s show at the Trocadero in November 2014, I was struck by the soft, lullaby-ish nature and the simple chords paired with his soft baritone. My sibling, driving, was watching me in the…
Samantha Mae Sweeney 