Optimistic Apocalypse and Nancy Boys Start Off New Year of Live Music

Brooke Surgener

McKenzie Sprague will be taking the stage at the Kings Rook Club this weekend with a stripped down version of her band Optimistic Apocalypse. The newly formed Nancy Boys will be opening the show.

SATURDAY, JAN. 6

If your New Year's resolution was to go see more local independent music, then the King's Rook Club is the place to be on the first weekend of 2024. Indie singer-songwriter McKenzie Sprague, under her moniker Optimistic Apocalypse, will be performing a set as a duo, upstairs at the Rook. This is the first performance since she released her latest music video for the song "Spiraling," which was directed by local musician Brooke Surgener. This night will feature a paired down version of the band that will have a scaled back sound, while highlighting Sprague's emotional and thoughtful lyrics.

Opening the night is one of Erie's newest bands, the Nancy Boys. The Nancy Boys are an all-female indie group who have been performing as a band for just over four months. They are fronted by Gwen Elaine, who has been releasing her own solo work since early in 2023. The Nancy Boys perform songs as a three piece, and along with Elaine on guitar and vocals, the trio is composed of Alex Jakubowski on drums and Nina Johns on bass. Along with Elaine's solo work they perform a few covers that range from shoegaze to country to surf rock. Both bands feature musicians who are also visual artists, and bring powerful lyrics and emotions in their songs.

9 p.m. // King's Rook Club, 1921 Peach St.  // $5 - $10 // Tickets and info: tickets.eriereader.com