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Arkells in Concert
Arkells hail from Hamilton, Ontario, the midsize industrial city located about an hour west of the bustling metropolis of Toronto. And from day one, they've flaunted their hometown pride en route to becoming one of Canada's most popular rock bands.
The quintet named themselves after the west-end Hamilton street where they lived as students attending McMaster University, and their 2008 debut album, ‘Jackson Square,' paid tribute to the namesake shopping mall located in the heart of the city. But most importantly, the Arkells actually sounded like Hamilton, embodying the city's gritty, working-class spirit in proletarian anthems — like "Oh, the Boss Is Coming!" — that betrayed the deep influence of fellow Ontario indie-rock rabble-rousers the Constantines.
After winning the Juno Award for New Group of the Year in 2010, the Arkells began to shed their steeltown skin and indie aesthetic. Max Kerman's impassioned vocals drove the soulful pop strut of "Leather Jacket" and the effervescent "Come to Light" (an open-freeway anthem in the mold of Don Henley's 1980s classic "Boys of Summer").
With 2016's ‘Morning Report,' they started taking notes from contemporary pop and hip-hop, resulting in the cheeky, gospelized R&B of "Drake's Dad" (whose video featured a cameo from Mr. Dennis Graham himself) and the brash, brass-knuckled single "Knocking at the Door" (The band's live setup has likewise expanded, incorporating a horn section and a chorus of female backing singers they dub the Arkettes).
But even as the Arkells racked up multiple Juno Awards and ascended to the ranks of bona fide arena rockers in Canada, they've never forgotten their Hamilton roots. They've supplied local Canadian Football League team the Ticats with their theme song, they continue to take an active role in endorsing local progressive politicians and urban transit initiatives, and Kerman and bassist Nick Dika have even opened their own sports bar downtown.
In June of 2018, the Arkells thanked their hometown by headlining their biggest concert to date, bringing more than 20,000 fans out to Hamilton's Tim Hortons Field for a gathering they dubbed The Rally. That sense of triumph has carried over to the subsequent album ‘Rally Cry,' whose gold-plated fusion of Springsteen-sized grandeur and modern-R&B groove shows that one of Canada's most beloved rock bands is ready to take on the world.
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Once again the Arkells put on a high energy performance. They never disappoint. They are great showman. My last concert before Covid was the Arkells June 2019 Budweiser Stage and it was only fitting that Return to Live was Arkells. Thank you Arkells for being awesome!!
This event was perfect. It was all good vibes and the arkells made us all feel like a family. I was impressed by the quality of music and the diversity. Additionally the sound was really good. The back up singers were amazing too. There is nothing I would change about this concert.
Amazing show and great night with friends, felt so good to be singing and dancing under the stars and the CN tower again. Can't wait until the next show!!
Just wow! The band plays so well live and they really interact with the crowd. It was amazing being back at a concert with actual people. Will see again
Great energy Coin opened with a good show with a somewhat captive audience then Arkells rocked for 2 hours of non stop music. The format has changed from Toronto show that included the Motown revue which I was looking forward to. Nonetheless we had a fantastic time
Arkells rocked Always have Always will They put on a show like no other!
Amazing show! Always such a good time with these guys! Always make you feel like you’re apart of the band and the people in the crowd are fantastic Great sound!
These Arkells can throw down. Fantastically fun concert!
This is the second Arkells show I saw this year!! The forst was at Scotia Bank Theatre this was by far better! Love Budweiser stage, the sound is better, its more intimate and a way better vibe in general. Love the energy of Max and the Band. Such a great band and Nick Nurse coming on stage was a treat too!!
This was my fourth time seeing Arkells live and it just keeps getting better and better! You could see how happy the entire band was with the show and how much they put into the show as a whole. It was such a fun, upbeat, nonstop dance party. I am not sure how anyone could have had a terrible time at the show! I have always loved this venue and will still call it the Molson Ampitheatre (just like I still call Rogers Centre the Skydome). Although, the beer prices seem to have skyrocketed. But that helps with portion control.
Very impressed with this band didn't need a seat as they had you up dancing and singing all night
We have seen the Arkells twice, once in Toronto and recently in Atlanta. They were very different venues, one was huge and the other was small, but Arkells performed SOOOO awesome both times. They sound great, interact with the crowd and put on an amazing concert. Everyone must see them in concert, I guarantee that you will have a great time listening to fantastic music!!
Arkells deliver! This little known band from Canada put together a great show. The fast paced show was performed with passion and professionalism, covering a wide segment of their recorded history. Thoroughly enjoyed.
I loved everything about the concert. The energy of the band members was awesome. Both the Arkells and The Greeting Committee put on a great show!
The Arkells were energetic, entertaining, and inspiring. They began by setting three rules for the evening: (1) everyone will sing, (2) everyone will dance, and (3) everyone will be good to one another. The audience followed the rules and participated. Max Kerman handed out “excuses” for people who had to work the next day (Wednesday), got the crowd to sing happy birthday to a woman who was turning 21, started a conga line, and ended by having everyone hold onto the persons next to them. The music was terrific, and I was charmed by the civic-mindedness and unabashed good-heartedness of the band. This is one of the best performances I've ever seen!
This is the second time I’ve seen Arkells. Love these guys! They’re one of the best live acts I’ve ever seen.
Arkells transformed a frosty, dreary Monday night into the perfect weekend party, getting the entire room amped up and rocking out at full throttle. Max and crew clearly love what they're doing, and their joy and enthusiasm are infectious. Great tunes, fabulous sound, and an unbeatable way to chase away the winter blues and workweek blahs. If you have a chance to see these guys, do not miss out!
This band is increfibly energetic with the lead singer in the audience singing multiple times. Will definitely see them again!
Really awesome band! Really cool intimate venue! Go see the Arkells!
Lead singer popped up in the crowd to write “sick notes” for those who had to work the next day. Great energy, great music. Third time seeing the Arkells and they always put on a good show. Venue was awesome too.
