Arkells & K.Flay
November 15, 2024
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
On November 15th, Canadian rock band Arkells brought their Big Feelings Tour to Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
It was a showcase of Canadian rock at its very best, with Arkells ripping through a 23-song set playing their newest single “Big Feelings” and classic Arkells songs such as “11:11”, “Leather Jacket”, “Knocking at the Door,” and “My Heart’s Always Yours”. The band had a very dynamic and interactive show as members of the band moved to a B-Stage in the crowd and performed a stripped-down song request from a fan. They even recreated a couple’s first wedding dance in the crowd during “And Then Some” for a truly beautiful moment.
K.Flay
Opening the show was a friend of Arkells, K.Flay. She is an American singer, musician, songwriter, and rapper from Wilmette, Illinois. The pair previously teamed on the song “You Can Get It” She brought an electric, high-energy performance that got the crowd moving early playing some of her biggest hits “High Enough”, “Giver” and “Blood In The Cut” from her 2017 Album Every Where Is Some Where. She even performed a cover of Green Day’s “Brain Stew” with the crowd singing along to the lyrics.
Arkells
At 9:00 the lights dimmed and the excitement in the crowd began to rise. Shadows of the band members could be seen taking the stage. Suddenly the band members took to the front of the stage and turned on large flashlights and began illuminating the crowd. Lead singer Max Kerman exclaimed “It’s Saturday Night in Vancouver” and encouraged the crowd to get off their feet and dance. The band took to their instruments and hit the show off with the song “Come to Light”
Arkells consists of Max Kerman (lead vocals, guitar), Mike DeAngelis (lead guitar), Nick Dika (bass, keyboards), Tim Oxford (drums) Anthony Carone (keyboards) The night was a great display of musicianship in Arkells with each of the five members of the band getting a moment to shine. Accompanying the band was the Northern Soul Horns, a horn section who have been touring with the band for many years. The horns took the music up to a whole nother notch and were highlighted in songs such as “People’s Champ”, “9 to 5” and “Dance With You” The horn section had a very fun vibe with synchronized dance moves and many times following Max Kerman as he danced into the crowd.
A special moment came midway through the concert as Kerman explained that they get multiple DM’s a week telling the band that a couple used their song “And Then Some” as their first dance at their wedding. He asked if anyone in the audience had used the song as their first dance and multiple hands went up. He picked a couple to come to the front and centre of the pit to recreate their first dance. It was truly a beautiful moment as the audience created a circle around the couple as they slow danced to one of Arkells best love songs.
Max and Mike later moved through the crowd with their guitars to the B-stage by the soundboard, and fans started to flock around the small stage. An old Payphone could be seen on stage with them. Signature to an Arkells show, they have a request line where fans can leave a voicemail and request a song they want to hear in their city. The duo played a stripped-down version of “Nobody Get Me Like You Do”
Kerman brought energy throughout the entire show as he went into the crowd and danced during multiple songs, encouraged fans to get on each other’s shoulders for a song, and brought up a young fan to sing “Past Life”
As the night came to a close, Arkells finished strong with their signature song “Leather Jacket”. For a final time, Kerman wanted the audience to give it their all. “I want to cause structural damage to Rogers Arena, can we do that for this last chorus Vancouver?” he exclaimed.
Arkells gave it their all in Vancouver and the crowd reciprocated their infectious energy by singing along and dancing throughout the entire night. The show was a real treat for Arkells fans and casual listeners alike, as there was a little something for everyone.
