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About

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.

Setlists

    1. 1.Book Club
    2. 2.11:11
    3. 3.Kiss Cam
    4. 4.Skin
    5. 5.And Then Some
    6. 6.John Lennon
    7. 7.Knocking at the Door
    8. 8.Leather Jacket
    9. 9.What Good? (New song, live debut)
    1. 1.You Can Get It
    2. 2.Relentless
    3. 3.Oh, the Boss Is Coming!
    4. 4.Never Thought That This Would Happen
    5. 5.Past Life
    6. 6.Show Me Don't Tell Me
    7. 7.People's Champ
    8. 8.Private School (Ft. Jackson, age 19, from Langley BC)
    9. 9.11:11
    10. 10.Quitting You
    11. 11.And Then Some
    12. 12.Pullin' Punches
    13. 13.Dance With You
    14. 14.Years in the Making
    15. 15.Whistleblower
    16. 16.Knocking at the Door
  1. Encore

    1. 17.My Heart's Always Yours
  2. Encore 2

    1. 18.Leather Jacket
    1. 1.You Can Get It
    2. 2.John Lennon
    3. 3.American Screams
    4. 4.Making Due
    5. 5.Past Life
    6. 6.Private School
    7. 7.People's Champ
    8. 8.Nowhere to Go
    9. 9.Nobody Gets Me Like You Do (Acoustic)
    10. 10.Quitting You
    11. 11.And Then Some
    12. 12.11:11
    13. 13.Oh, the Boss Is Coming!
    14. 14.Relentless
    15. 15.Whistleblower
    16. 16.Dance With You
    17. 17.My Heart's Always Yours
    18. 18.Knocking at the Door
  1. Encore

    1. 19.Don't Look Back in Anger (Oasis cover)
    2. 20.Leather Jacket
  2. Encore 2

    1. 21.Leather Jacket (The band stood on a picnic table at the back of the grounds and performed the last chorus again.)
    1. 1.You Can Get It
    2. 2.Ballad of Hugo Chavez
    3. 3.Michigan Left
    4. 4.Hand Me Downs
    5. 5.Dirty Blonde
    6. 6.People's Champ
    7. 7.Nowhere to Go
    8. 8.Kiss Cam (Acoustic; just Max, Mike and Tony.)
    9. 9.Quitting You
    10. 10.And Then Some
    11. 11.11:11
    12. 12.Tony Plays the Piano
    13. 13.Relentless
    14. 14.Whistleblower
    15. 15.Dance With You
    16. 16.My Heart's Always Yours
    17. 17.Knocking at the Door
    18. 18.9 to 5 (Dolly Parton cover)
  1. Encore

    1. 19.Leather Jacket
    1. 1.You Can Get It
    2. 2.Ballad of Hugo Chavez
    3. 3.Cynical Bastards
    4. 4.Past Life
    5. 5.Never Thought That This Would Happen
    6. 6.People's Champ
    7. 7.Nowhere to Go
    8. 8.Book Club
    9. 9.Quitting You
    10. 10.And Then Some
    11. 11.11:11
    12. 12.Oh, the Boss Is Coming!
    13. 13.Relentless
    14. 14.Whistleblower
    15. 15.Dance With You
    16. 16.My Heart's Always Yours
    17. 17.Knocking at the Door
  1. Encore

    1. 18.Don't Look Back in Anger (Oasis cover)
    2. 19.Leather Jacket

Reviews

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 256 reviews
  • Amazing

    by Austin on 8/18/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    Best night I’ve had in what feels like years! What an amazing show

  • Show #5, and as always, they never disappoint!

    by Lil on 8/18/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    The Budweiser Stage is one of my favourite places on earth, and spending a summer musing it was the only longing that I’ve had through the pandemic. Taking in the show with my 14 year old and 4 month old was like a dream. With Arkells, it was my fifth time, my 14 year old’s third, and the 4 month old’s first concert ever! We’ll be back :)

  • Amazing

    by ahe on 8/18/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    The Arkells did a fantastic job interacting with the crowd and making it such a great show. They played all their big hits plus some of their new songs.

  • I adore you...

    by ZM on 8/18/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 4 out of 5

    They have such great energy and so talentes. It was amazing to see them live.

  • Offsprings first concert

    by Vicaidan on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    Couldnt have asked for a better first concert experience for my boy!! Especially during these trying times it actually made it feel like there was hope for us as a society to be able to congregate responsibly. I can't wait for the next one🤘🤘

  • 10/10 would rock again

    by Ben on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    Legends. Ticket master says I need 50 characters to say that, I disagree.

  • Great performance, disappointed in venue

    by Kath on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 2 out of 5

    Arkells are always amazing. No complaints. NO enforcement of public health measures including almost no masking or physical distancing. No temperature checks or screening questions. So disappointing and took away from my enjoyment of the event.

  • What a Night.

    by Heather M on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    This night was everything that we needed after a long wait for live nusic to return. Their lively setlist and wholesome on stage energy was soo infectious (no COVID pun intended) I couldnt help but have a smile on my face the entire night. Looking forward to more shows to come.

  • Arkells are simply the best

    by Lori on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    First time seeing them live! Why they did not disappoint. Non stop for 2 hours. Totally engaging. Exactly what Ontario needed after the last 18 months. The ticketmaster portion was so easy. Loved that it was digital.

  • Arkells

    by LMW on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    Absolutely amazing as per usual! Best live act in this country!

  • Needed more protocols

    by KS on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 2 out of 5

    Firstly I'm a big fan of the band. Following since day 1. I was sxtremely excite dto hear they would be the return to concerts and they stated reduced capacity, protocols in place, masks (unless eating/drinking), socially distanced seating etc. It looked like almost no seat empty. No seats had been distanced apart. Found it hard to believe there was a 10,000 person cap. Nobody was wearing masks at seats. Concessions lines crowded the flow of traffic it was impossible to avoid anyone anywhere. No protocols that were announced were followed. Poorly executed we felt tricked and still stressed out. Also for being such a progressive band who does a lotnof good things withbsocial issues we felt Max really did not come across his usual self. They made light of the COVID and vaccine situation it felt like they were encouraging a "not a big deal" attitude. Other shows by them I gove a 5 star bur this was unfortunate on many accounts

  • Best way to welcome back live music

    by Mel1987 on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    I have no words! It was such an amazing show and an incredible welcome back to live music! The Arkells what on one hell of a show!

  • Great time, no hassles

    by Moviejcd on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    Entering the venue was easy and quick. Felt safe without feeling overly policed. Enjoyed the show a lot. Sound and lighting was great. Concessions were quick at the west end of the venue. I’ll be back!

  • Covid Nightmare

    by R8 on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 3 out of 5

    The concert was amazing but the lack of masks and distancing was actually insane. Add alcohol and you have a super spreader. Make vaccines mandatory or enforce the government protocols.

  • Every second was incredible!

    by kLo on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    First concert back after 16 months... the expectations were high and the Arkells went above and beyond. So much energy, great ambiance, and spectacular performance. I didn't want it to end and can't wait to see them again.

  • great concert but no apparent safety measures

    by chris on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 3 out of 5

    The Arkells concert was amazing...as always they put on a great show. But there was little to no distancing (a packed show) and most people weren't wearing masks. This was literally no different than a pre covid show. Ticketmaster has a responsibility to spend a bit of money to ensure that there are some safety protocols or else mandate that all attending have been vaccinated. Otherwise every event you put on will have the chance of being a super spreader.

  • It Was Years in the Making

    by gwv on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing concert. Love Budweiser Stage as a venue (minus the expensive drinks, but it's Toronto - what can you do). They put on a heck of a show. Two hours of pure energy and they had the crowd along for the ride the whole time. Would go again next weekend if I could. As good a return to live music as I could have hoped for.

  • great gig less then stellar crowd

    by k on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    i’ve been to so many arkells gig and this one was truly a show of how much people just don’t respect each other. so many folks had their masks off the entire time, were getting in so close to others they didn’t know and there was no encouragement to put masks back on during the entire show. i understand being sick of masks and pandemics but i don’t think these folks realize how much they’re actually putting people at risk. i hope live nation can fix this issue and make shows WAY safer

  • BEST NIGHT EVERRRR!!!

    by Joey c on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    the whole show was incredible. The crowd, jumping up and down screaming my favourite songs with max and others. It was the best night of my life.

  • So much fun!!

    by Taylor b on 8/17/21Budweiser Stage - TorontoRating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing concert, the Arkells are amazing live! It felt good to be back :)