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Articles by Killian O’Neil
The Black Parade is Certainly not dead
Written by : Killian O’Neil and Photographed by: Lindsey Byrnes I wouldn’t say that I’m a fan of My Chemical Romance. I’d say I have a never-ending love affair with their music. I first got introduced to them in seventh grade, when everyone I knew was listening to My Chem, The Used or Hawthorne Heights. It was the peak of the pop-punk and emo era, a time when it felt like every weekend some incredible band was playing in Philly or Camden.
Philly Music Fest 2025: Local Talent, Surprise Headliners and a Mission to Give Back
If live music is your religion, Philly Music Fest is your holy week. Returning for its ninth year, the annual event is bringing the city’s music scene to life like never before. With seven nights, nine shows and 22 local acts, PMF 2025 is poised to be a game-changer, featuring an eclectic mix of genres and some surprise headliners that fans won’t see coming. But it’s not just about the music.
Finneas Steals the Show at The Fillmore
Written By : Killian O’Neil and Photographed by: Muriel Margaret PHILADELPHIA — Finneas took the stage at The Fillmore to a sold-out crowd, proving that he’s carving his own path as a solo artist, distinct from his sister Billie Eilish’s massive success. The night was filled with moments that felt like the universe had conspired for me to be there. I had literally been belting out his hit “For Cryin’ Out Loud” just the day before in my car.
The Stone Pony Summer Stage featuring The Used
Written by Killian O’Neil Photographed by Bryce Hall Could you ever imagine standing in a sea of people with rain pelting down your face and all your clothes sopping wet? Mentally, at this point, you’re starting to not only feel but resemble a wet dog. If someone told me I would experience that one day, I would say, “fuck that,” and walk away. However, that is exactly how my Monday night was spent.
Album Review: The Used, Toxic Positivity
Bert Mccracken, john feldmann, Killian O'Neil, The Used, Toxic positivity Written by Killian O’Neil According to Google, the definition of Toxic Positivity is “the pressure to only display positive emotions, suppressing any negative emotions, feelings, reactions or experiences. ” That term has become a social norm in our society today; it’s absolutely sickening. Humans have been conditioned to ignore the truth of our feelings and pretend everything is okay to keep the status quo.
Philadelphia Welcomes Home Taylor Swift
Written by Killian O’Neil Photos Provided by TAS Management Barbara Walters was right when she said, “Taylor Swift was the Music Industry.” Ms. Swift’s music has acted as the soundtrack and unpaid therapist for this generation throughout the world since her debut in 2006. Taylor has always been in a league of her own, to say the least. Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to recap. It started at 16 when she released her first single, “Tim McGraw,” after being discovered in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dry Reef Take on Ardmore Music Hall
By Killian O’Neil Photos By Lead Photographer Liv Foltiny In thirty years of living, I’ve never considered myself a reggae fan. Typically, what my playlist consists of is something with a whiney voice, a heavy rift and it’s coming from the ethers of emo music. This past Friday at Ardmore Music Hall all of that changed.Dry Reef and Yam Yam were co-heading with local opener, We Are Minka. It was also Superbowl weekend and the Birds were playing so energy everywhere was high, especially that night.
My Chemical Romance Returns to Philadelphia
Written by Killian O’Neil Photographed by Mark Beemer It had been 11 years since My Chemical Romance played Philadelphia, which was quite evident when the MCRMY had shown up by the thousands. The emo scene in the mid-00s understood the magnitude of what was in store for the evening, and they came. It was a sold-out show at the Wells Fargo Center on Monday night. Every single person was acting as if it was Christmas morning. That evening, electricity was in the air, quickly permeating the arena.
Alicia Keys; The Queen, The Myth, The Legend Live @The Met
alicia keys, Killian O'Neil, Pink Sweat$, Pink Sweats, Theo Wargo Written by Killian O’Neil Photographs by Theo Wargo Seeing someone doing exactly what they’re put on this earth to do is a rare and beautiful thing. Alicia Keys is no exception to that statement; she has become an icon and inspiration to many worldwide. It’s one thing to listen to her in the studio, but seeing her live is an entirely different story.
Papa Roach leaves fans underwhelmed and starving for more
photo credit: Liv Foltiny Written by Killian O’Neil The more I get into music journalism, the more it becomes clear how many bands are actually not that good and totally suck. When I saw that Papa Roach was coming to town, I was beyond stoked! The last time they took the stage, I was fifteen and in Florida at Buzz Bake Sale. It was one of the best performances I have ever seen. They were still on that list up until March 23 of this year, now I’m not quite sure what list they belong on.
Avril Lavigne’s ‘Love Sux’ shows that pop-punk is back with a vengeance
Written by Killian O’Neil It’s been over two decades and the lyrics: “he was a boy and she was a girl / can I make it any more obvious? / He was a punk and she did ballet / what more can I say?” have been living rent-free in my head, as well as every other girl for the last twenty years.
Alternative rock band, Alt-J, unveils their psychedelic album, ‘The Dream,’ out now
Written by Killian O’Neil There is something to be said about when you listen to a record and each time it makes you feel differently. Alt-J has skillfully done just that with their newest album, The Dream. If you don’t know who Alt-J is, they are a three-piece band from the United Kingdom, to be exact, which consists of Joe Newman on guitar and lead vocals, Thom Sonny Green on drums, and last, but not least, Gus Unger-Hamilton on keys.
Emo/post-hardcore bands/artists, Thursday, Cursive, The Appleseed Cast, and Nate Bergman sell out Underground Arts
Written by Killian O’Neil Have you ever been to a show that blew your mind? Not for the fact that it was your favorite band, but because each and every musician that played was simply incredible. It’s a rarity finding that, especially these days. Luckily the music gods blessed me with this last week. Tucked away on 1200 Callowhill Street is Underground Arts, one of Philadelphia’s hidden gems, as far as venues go.
Philadelphia’s Trinidadian R&B artist, NIA, is ready to take on Philly and the world with her music
Written by Killian O’Neil Everyone has a story to tell in multiple ways; some through acting, others through writing, and my favorite, the stories that are told through music. Philadelphia musician, NIA, is no different from spinning her craft of telling a story with her lyrics. NIA is a smooth R&B artist that reminds me of something that would be playing in the late nineties.
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