It started nearly two decades ago in Hamilton, Ontario. A group of friends jamming together for fun never guessed they’d one day be packing arenas across Canada. But here they are: Arkells, the alt-rock band with a knack for capturing life’s big feelings through infectious anthems, now on tour to bring those feelings live to their fans. This Friday, November 15, they’re rolling into Vancouver’s Rogers Arena for a night of music, joined by alt-pop artist K.Flay as their opener. Hockey fans may even drift into the crowd, looking for a pre-Grey Cup weekend kickoff filled with sing-along energy.
Arkells. 2021.
We will be in Vancouver this Friday at @RogersArena. See you there @CFL fans! https://t.co/YIS2ucM7CF— ARKELLS (@arkellsmusic) November 13, 2024
For Arkells, the “Big Feelings” tour is more than a setlist of their biggest hits. It’s a chance to connect with fans on a massive scale. Max Kerman, the band’s front man, says the show will bring the sing a longs louder than ever, with beloved songs like “Leather Jacket,” “Knocking at the Door,” and “Come to Light” sure to echo through the arena. Vancouver’s Friday show will carry a similar vibe to the epic 24-song set they recently played in Calgary, making it clear this tour is about giving fans everything they’ve come to love.
As part of the tour, Arkells have also released Disco Loadout: Volume 1, an album of cover songs that fans begged them to record for years. Featuring classics like Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own,” ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” and Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer,” the album celebrates the joy of a timeless pop song. Kerman explains that these covers mean as much to the band as to their fans: “We’ve long agonized over what covers to include in our live set, so when we land on one, it means the song means a lot to us.”
The title Disco Loadout also has an inside joke: it’s a nod to the humbling reality of early career gigs. In the music world, a “disco loadout” is when a band plays an early show, only to discover that another act—a cover band, usually—is booked to play the same venue that night. After their set, they have to load out quickly, in front of a crowd lining up for the next show. Kerman says “We’ve been humbled by this in the past”. Instead of letting it be an embarrassment, Arkells turned it into a celebratory album.
But Arkells have been busy in other ways, too. Max Kerman has penned his first book, “Try Hard”, a behind-the-scenes look at the creative hustle, getting art out into the world, and all the grit that comes with it. Set for release next April with Penguin Random House Canada, the book offers a personal view of Kerman’s creative journey.
This Friday night, Vancouver fans will get more than a concert. With Arkells leading the way, they’ll find a night of shared memories, stories, and yes—big feelings. As the band brings their anthem-filled setlist to Rogers Arena, it’s clear this will be more than music; it’ll be a celebration of all the passion that makes Arkells who they are.