Philadelphia PA, Nov 7, 2018 – The synth-pop band St Lucia visited the City of Brotherly love Wednesday night playing before a near capacity crowd at the Theater of The Living Arts (TLA), also on the nights ticket the Canadian rockers, Arkells!
There are few things that’ll get me out of the house on a chilly Wednesday night for the hour-long ride to Philly … one of those things- for certain- are the Canadian rockers Arkells. Making their way to the lower 48 from Hamilton Ontario, Arkells’ musical style incorporates R&B, Soul and Motown with a rock foundation that just simply works. With a work ethic that’s second to none, this band has been earning its fan base here in the States the old way: face to face, show after show, night after night, and putting countless miles on the tour bus. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this band seven times in the last two years, from sold out arenas in their Canadian home, to small club shows in DC and Philly, and I can honestly say that I’m not sure who has a better time at their shows, them or their fans!
Arkells have been a band since 2006 and have quite the impressive resume which includes racking up multiple Juno Awards, and Juno nominations over their career for best album and breakthrough group to name a few. Arkells are, Max Kerman on lead vocals and guitar, Mike DeAngelis on guitar and vocals, Nick Dika on bass, Tim Oxford on drums and Anthony (Tony) Carone on keys/synth and vocals. Arkells are touring in support of their latest album Rally Cry which dropped this October.
Max and his band of brothers took the stage to “Relentless” off their latest album, a slow starting song that builds a grinding grove which got the crowd up and moving to its soulful tempo. As the crowd was building, you could really sense the momentum picking up as the band worked into “Leather Jacket”. Kerman proclaimed “we’re doing this like it’s a Friday night”, which only ignited the crowd more.
Arkells are a music lover’s band, if you’re looking for a flashy production you may be disappointed. Not to say they don’t have visual appeal, because they do, but this band’s hook is their delivery of solid sonics and the party atmosphere of their shows, plain and simple.
Tonight, Arkells navigated their set-list with perfection, including several songs off their new album, and a few older favorites, including “Knocking on The Door”, and inviting a guy (Dave) from the crowd to play guitar with the band during “Private School”
It’s always the same from Arkells: maximum effort on their part, and a great time for all. Keep your ears open for details about a headline US tour in the early part of 2019.
Follow Arkells on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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