Search ErieReader.com
DonateBest of ErieTicketsAdvertiseDistributionIssuesAboutContactEventsNewsletter
Close
Donate!
Best of Erie 2025
The Reader Beat
Tickets
Newsletter Signup
Erie Reader Business Quarterly
City Guide
Events
Opinion
Features
Issues Archive
Events Calendar
Advertise
More
Arts & Culture
Business
Columns
Community
Environment
Film
From the Editors
Gem City Style
Local, Original Comics
Music Reviews
News & Politics
Recipes
Sports
Theater
Distribution Locations
About Us
Contact Us
Issue Archives
Internship Opportunities
Write for Us
Share:

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

Women artists take center stage at Kings Rook Club

by Larry Wheaton
View ProfileRSS Feed
January 3, 2024 at 8:00 AM
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

Optimistic ApocalypseNancy BoysKings Rook Club

Featured Events

Today Tomorrow This Weekend

2026 Sunset Music Series

Music
Jun. 24th, 10:50 PM

Live Music at the Flagship City Food Hall

Music
Jun. 24th, 10:50 PM

Tunes & Brews: The Goats

Music
Jun. 24th, 10:50 PM to 9 PM

Harborcreek Satellite: How To Be A Highly Effective Leader: A Primer – A Discussion Of Andrew Roth's Latest Book

Community & Causes
Jun. 24th, 10:50 PM to 7:30 PM

East Erie Satellite: Identity Matters

Community & Causes
Jun. 25th, 10:50 PM to 7:30 PM

Submit Your Event   View Calendar

June 2026: Pride
Erie Reader: Vol. 16, No. 6
View Past Issues
In This Issue
Erie Reader Business Quarterly
« Download PDF
View Articles »
Erie Reader Best of Erie City Guide 2023-2024

Popular This Week

COVID-19 Cases Rise Slightly In Erie County, Across Country

xRepresentx, Vice, Counterfeit, Cop Torture at BT

Ludacris Shows Behrend Some Southern Hospitality

Best of Erie 2014 Finalists

Hangin' Out at the South Pier

Related Articles

Album Review // Flea // Honora

by Larry Wheaton6/19/2026, 11:00 AM

Concert Review: An Evening with Wilco

by Larry Wheaton6/18/2026, 3:00 PM
Live at Chautauqua Institution

Nothing More Important Than to Know Someone's Listening

by Larry Wheaton6/9/2026, 8:00 AM
An interview with Wilco guitarist Nels Cline ahead of their Chautauqua performance

The Floozies: Getting Electric at the King's Rook Club

by Larry Wheaton5/27/2026, 7:00 AM

It's Gonna Be May at Centennial Hall

by Larry Wheaton5/11/2026, 10:30 AM
A packed slate of shows rings in Erie's newest venue

April King's Rook Club Schedule Gets Funky, with Splashes of Metal

by Nick Warren4/10/2026, 10:00 AM
Inviting and varied lineups to shower concertgoers with grooves and more
Member of Reporters Shield
© 2026 Great Lakes Online Media
PO Box 10963  //  Erie, PA 16514
Terms of Use Privacy Policy