Between Us City Takeovers sees the Juno Award-winning band play The Penthouse, Hollywood Theatre and Commodore Ballroom
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Arkells frontman Max Kerman is pumped to be bringing new music to fans, playing venues that the nine-time Juno Award-winning group left behind long ago.
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The Hamilton, Ont., band announced its Between Us City Takeovers for B.C. and Alberta with a trio of shows in Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary that each take place in iconic rooms that the hard-touring combo played on the way up to becoming one of the country’s most dependable live rock groups.
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Arkells brings its catchy singalong songs to Vancouver on May 7 at The Penthouse, May 8 at the Hollywood Theatre, and May 9 at the Commodore Ballroom. All three shows are sold out. Verified resale tickets for the Hollywood gig start at $154.70 at Ticketmaster.ca.
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“The very first time we ever played Vancouver was for a show at The Penthouse for a festival way back called New Music West,” said Kerman. “We were coming in from Kelowna, trapped in traffic and it was a really important show because industry people were coming to check us out for the first time. We arrived at 6:58 for a 7 p.m. show, parked the car, grabbed the gear and were playing 10 minutes later.”
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It wasn’t until a few songs into the show that Kerman noticed the brass poll in the middle of the stage, wondering where the band had been booked. That memory has stuck with him. And the whole crew is looking forward to reliving the experience in a more relaxed show.
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Not that anyone should come expecting the band to be on bar stools trading stories on acoustic guitars. It’s still going to be the kind of high-powered performance on which the band built its reputation. Though, they won’t have the Northern Soul Horns in tow for this trip.
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“Yeah, it’s just the five of us banging around and making every night a different experience,” Kerman said. “It is a way for us to remedy that same set list experience that can make things seem kind of Groundhog Day. Every night is a chance to find a new, dynamic way to fill the spaces.”
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Given the strength of the three singles already released from Between Us, the set lists for the upcoming shows will give the new record room to shine alongside such fan faves as Leather Jacket, Come to Light and 11:11. Because Next Summer, What Good? and Money (featuring Portugal. The Man) are all just as strong.
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“Honestly, I think that one of the best places to hear new music is in a smaller, more intimate show to get to know it,” said Kerman. “We’ve all been in a big arena when the group says they are going to play a new one and it’s time to go get a beer. To give these songs a chance to grow into what they can be, they need to be worked out in smaller venues and given the space to develop into the set.”
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The 11 new tunes on Between Us are certainly in the Arkells’ ballpark, but there is a bigger dose of ’90s-style production. Heavy keyboards that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Hall & Oates hit, coupled with the kind of rock-solid driving beat that just gets your foot tapping, Next Summer opens the new collection. It’s an instantly memorable song with a big soaring chorus.
