Hopton Writes

Philadelphia based Music Journalist, Musician, and Writer

That Music Magazine » All Roads Lead Home – Nick Perri And Walt Lafty Return To Ardmore Music Hall

There is nothing like the holidays. A time for friends, family and loved ones gather and enjoy the company that sometimes can be hard to obtain as the years go on. Life has a funny way of spreading those that are the closest, the farthest apart in our lives, but there’s always that special time of the year that brings us back together. On a cold, rainy December night (12/22/22), the audience of the Ardmore Music Hall, just outside of Philadelphia, was treated to the reunion of a friendship that

That Music Magazine » A Unique Way of Life -A Conversation with Wolf Alice

Photos taken by Andy DeLuca and Jordan Hemingway For over a decade, the English rock band Wolf Alice has been hypnotizing listeners and audiences alike with their combination of beautiful melodies and rousing musicianship. I have been listening to them for the better part of those years, and their effect on the mind and soul never ceases to feel absolutely electric. So when I had the chance to sit down with them during one of the biggest music festivals in America, Firefly Music Festival, it wa

That Music Magazine » Here Comes The Sun : A Journey Into Firefly Festival 2022

It was 2:30 PM on Thursday when we lined up for the gates of our heaven to open. And naturally, it was raining. Not that kind of rain that makes you huddle under cover, though. It’s the kind that washes away any stress and worries you have had in the days leading up to this moment. A cleansing, if you will. A precursor to the weekend that was about to be experienced. That reset you only get once in a blue moon. It’s tough to describe with words. It’s one of those things you have to be “in” to r

That Music Magazine » Industrial Apocalypse -Rammstein Sets Philadelphia Ablaze

The smell of stale beer and sweat cakes the air. It’s the end of summer in the middle of Philadelphia, and the literal hottest band in the world (sorry, KISS) is moments away from taking the stage at The Linc. I am stuffed into the lower level, surrounded by massive, diehard fans, some of whom have traveled worldwide to see them again. The guy next to me just saw them in Canada, not more than a week ago. The fan base is unmatched by any I have seen. It’s hot out, and most are in full leather ja

That Music Magazine » Foo Fighters Announce Queen, Rush, And More For Taylor Hawkins’ Tribute Concerts

The Foo Fighters and The Hawkins Family have announced the first wave of special guests that will take the stage with the band in honor of the late, great Taylor Hawkins. These two shows, taking place at Wembley Stadium in London on September 3rd and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on September 27th, will feature the Foo Fighters returning to the stage for the first time since the untimely passing of Hawkins. The star-studded lineup features members of Queen, Rush, The Police, and Queens of The Sto

That Music Magazine » PHNTMS Release Video For New Single “Body Language”

Philly-based LGBTQIA+ alternative band, PHNTMS, is back with yet another piece of musical bliss in the form of “Body Language.” An alt-pop anthem, complete with shades of Paramore and U2, PHNTMS consistently finds ways to further their music while also staying true to their roots. The video tells the story of reading a partner’s actions rather than the words that they speak, while a colorful blast of both scenery and melody explodes from the band and onto our screens. The trio is led by Alyssa

That Music Magazine » One Night Only – The Struts’ Extravagant Return To Philadelphia

On a cool, late summer evening at the Skyline Stage at the Mann Center, one rock and roll’s hottest spectacles, The Struts, finally returned to one of the many cities they can consider home. This homecoming, however, was different. As the world has been anything but normal the past two years, this show had the feel of old times. The times when going to a concert surrounded by thousands of people was normal. Laughter and happiness could be heard, and the excitement in the air could be felt. It h

That Music Magazine » The Legend Continues: The Return of Dobbs on South

The city of Philadelphia, a sprawling, vast embodiment of the music scenes across America, has long been a lighthouse to the artists and bands that travel across these great lands in search of the dream. The dream that all musicians have when they play their first notes. The dream of stardom, the dream of making it., the dream of being a goddamn rockstar. Green Day. Tool. Rage Against The Machine. Pearl Jam. Nirvana. Sunblaze Lane (sorry, I couldn’t help myself). These legendary bands, along w

That Music Magazine » You’re So Fine: A Conversation With Micky James

Imagine, if you will, a time before the current state of the world. An age of wondrous, bombastic live music. Bright lights and thunderous sound. An electrifying feeling of seeing someone pour their heart and soul out on a stage for an hour that you’ll never get back again, yet always want back. You know, the good ol’ days. The last show that I had the pleasure of attending during those said days was documented in this very magazine. Just over a year ago, I was at The Foundry in Philadelphia...

That Music Magazine » Old Dogs, New Tricks : Foo Fighters return with 10th LP ‘Medicine At Midnight’

For the past 25 years, the Foo Fighters have been synonymous with pure, unapologetic, rock & roll. Dave Grohl and the boys have carved out their place in not just rock history, but music history as well. One of, if not the greatest, bands of the 21st century. For the most part, you know what to expect from a typical Foo‘s album. There’s a commonality that is essentially their essence. The absolute rippers (Monkey Wrench, All My Life, The Pretender), a few more subdued numbers (Aurora, Walking Af
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That Music Magazine » Sputter : The Struts Underwhelm With New Album ‘Strange Days’

Over the past few years, UK glam rock darlings, The Struts, have skyrocketed into the big time here in the United States. Propelled by a sound straight out of the ’70s with a modern twist, they revel in the beauty and glamour of the past, yet feel fresh enough to take us into the future. Their first two albums, Everybody Wants and YOUNG & DANGEROUS, combined the glam of David Bowie, the pure rock and roll of The Rolling Stones, and the larger than life arena sound of Queen. They created what man

That Music Magazine » The Devil Went West: Marilyn Manson’s Reign Continues With WE ARE CHAOS

“We are each our own Devil…and we make this world our Hell.” Effective evolution is arguably the hardest thing to accomplish as a musician. Changing your sound to properly fit the times, fit your ever-progressing mindset…but hell most importantly to keep things fresh and new…is the most challenging aspect in writing new music to an artist that has decades under their belt. But Marilyn Manson has been able to achieve just that. Past all the self-destructive antics, the tabloids, the breakdowns…M

That Music Magazine » Summer Heat: Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves come alive with SUN VIA

At long last, the debut of SUN VIA from local legend Nick Perri and his band The Underground Thieves has arrived, bringing with it a newly energized sound that rock and roll so desperately needs. It’s an ode to the greats. The music that shaped and molded all that we hold holy. Perri and The Thieves capture the magic of the past, while also leading it to the future with a newly evolved sound that can only be described with that singular word. We open with the lead single “Feeling Good”. A funky

That Music Magazine » Times Like These: A Moment To Reflect

“Dearly Beloved….We Are Gathered Here Today To Get Through This Thing Called Life….” Fuck. What a predicament we have found ourselves in at this time. You thought every year up to now was crazy? Hell no. 2020 is…just…goddamn. I thought 2016 was for sure going to take the cake. Losing David Bowie AND Prince in a matter of a few months followed by the biggest political shakeup we’ll probably ever see. An absolute whirlwind. Nope. Nothing compared to this. As I write this, we are all doing the sa

That Music Magazine » New Blood: PHNTMS Release A Tour De Force In “Back Burner”

Alright. I have to admit something right off the bat. I’m in love with this band. There…I said it. A few months ago, I had the distinct pleasure of walking into a show (remember those?) at The Fillmore in Philadelphia, and witnessing an opening act that I can’t describe as anything less than breathtaking. It was one of those moments where you go “holy shit….wow.”. They don’t happen too often anymore. It’s a rare moment in life that sticks with you. (I wrote an article about the entire show whi

That Music Magazine » Streets Of Fire – A Night With Foxtrot & The Get Down, Saint Slumber, and PHNTMS

The passion, the drive, the soul… the bands. It’s our blue-collar atmosphere and style of music that sets us apart from many other markets. It’s about busting your ass to make something of yourself. Literal blood, sweat, and tears. The beautiful thing about this though is that you can feel every step of the journey come out in the songs created here. You can follow bands from the bottom as they rise to the top. This past weekend was a perfect example of that. Foxtrot & The Get Down decided to t

That Music Magazine » High Fidelity : My Top Ten Songs To Make It Through 2020

Ladies and Gentlemen, what the fuck even is this year? It has gotten to the point where we’ve gone from “Ok, it can’t possibly get any worse” to saying “Ok, what’s next?” It’s a year of fear. A year of uncertainty. Every day we walk into a new unknown, wondering what the hell is coming. BUT… I’m here to say, I have hope. We, as one people, have made incredible strides in the few months since we last spoke. A full-blown uprising is going on in our streets right now. And as scary as the news migh

That Music Magazine » Lullabies From New Jersey – Brian Fallon’s Local Honey

“In this life, there shall be trouble…but you shall overcome.” Truer words have never been spoken at this time of life. A time of uncertainty, a time of unknown. Yet we still have familiar faces and sounds to keep us moving forward through the uncharted darkness. , widely known for his acclaimed work with The Gaslight Anthem, returns and embarks on a solo venture with Local Honey. A collection of subdued yet heart-wrenching songs that captivate from the opening line and keep you held close like

That Music Magazine » Rock And Roll Isn’t A Genre….It’s An Attitude: A Conversation With Nick Perri

”Shit. What do I even ask him?” “How the hell do I interview someone I look up to without sounding like too much of a fanboy?” So, needless to say… I was nervous. That was until I sat down with Perri at a small rock and roll bar in West Chester. The moment we shook hands… that nervousness disappeared. Immediately, it felt we had known each other for years. This wasn’t an interview at all. This was a conversation. This was sitting back over a few drinks (scotch for me… coffee for him) and talk
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