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Arcy Drive Brings ‘Attic Rock’ to the Main Stage
- Madison Cozzens
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
Article Contributed by Madison Cozzens
Photography by Madison Cozzens
On October 28th, anyone driving through the Waterloo Arts District of Cleveland would see a line of people waiting to get into the Beachland Ballroom. The crowd was there for the self-proclaimed “attic rock” band, Arcy Drive. The venue was covered in stickers and flyers, with graffiti all over the bathroom and neon signs at the bar – It was the perfect setting to rock the night away.
The evening began with an acoustic set by the opener, Mercury. The five-piece band was missing two of their members and decided to ditch their usual electric sound. Lead vocalist, Maddie Kerr, told the crowd, “We usually don’t do this, and probably won’t for a long time after this. So thank you for letting us try something different.” Kerr’s gravelly and authentic voice carried through the venue and captivated the audience.
If you are a fan of the Flipturn, you may recognize the name Mercury. The bands recently collaborated with Mercury covering the song “Right?” from Flipturn’s, recent album Burnout Days. Mercury brings a yearning to the song that makes it a different experience than the original. Go check it out if you haven’t listened to it already.
Attic Rock, Unleashed: Enter Arcy Drive
Arcy Drive took the stage at 9:30 PM to fans who eagerly awaited their fun and energetic performance to begin. All of the band members came out with a beer in hand, cheering along with the crowd and getting them even more hyped up for the next two hours. The front man Nick Mateyunas brings an energy that translates to the crowd. His movements, headbanging, and interactions with the microphone match the unpolished and lively sound the band is known for. Arcy Drive’s loose and friendly demeanor and authentic presence allowed the crowd to forgo judgement, arms in the air, screaming to the sky, and jumping with strangers. Forgetting their worries; being part of something raw and unforgettable.
The Long Island-based band consists of Nick Mateyunas (vocals, guitar), Austin Jones (guitar), Patrick Helrigel (bass), and Brooke Tuozzo (drums). The group were friends before the band and began playing around in the attics, basements, and spare space in their homes. They eventually came to love performing live and found a following that was going to support them. Starting in bars and music halls, to opening for bands like Flipturn, and hey, nothing. Arcy Drive is now on their biggest year yet with their headlining “The Pit Tour” across the US and Canada.
The four members played songs across their discography with hits like, “Roll My Stone”, “What’s in my Head?”, and “Under the Rug”. Their final song “Louie”, gave fans a bombastic ending to the evening.
While the crowd was engaged all night, the encore song really brought the space together, ramping up the already high energy.
The crowd let it all out during the line “But baby, remember, this is our December”, chanting it as the band played their instruments taking in the love from their fans. It’s moments like these that make live music so special not only for the fans who get to see their favorite artists, but for the artists as well. After the show lines of people stayed to grab merch or to get a chance to interact with the band at the local venue. These are the moments that make the evening even more special, for the artists and the fans alike.
Arcy Drive is still a relative newcomer in the space; releasing their first single in 2022 and their debut album earlier this year. With their raw instrumentals, raspy vocals, and exciting live performances, it’s no surprise their fanbase continues to grow. The band’s lyrics and authenticity can resonate with just about anyone. Arcy Drive’s performance will make you let loose and release those inhibitions for a night that you won’t forget.