Live Reviews

Arkells Bring Big Energy to Vancouver’s Rogers Arena

Published

1 month ago

November 16, 2024

Last night, the Arkells’ Big Feelings Tour stop at Rogers Arena in Vancouver was a massive feel-good party from start to finish. From the moment fans walked in, you could sense the excitement – people of all ages, backgrounds, and styles, all there to have a blast on this cold sunny Fall day.

Opening the night, K.Flay instantly won over the crowd with her gritty, punchy sound, setting the stage perfectly with her mix of raw energy and infectious beats.

The show kicked off with the crowd-pleasers “Come to Light”, “You Can Get Up” with K.Flay, and “People’s Champ,” and from there, the energy was nonstop. The setlist was like a greatest hits reel, spanning all their albums, from Jackson Square to Blink Twice, with every song feeling like a fan favourite. The vibe was like one big singalong, with the whole arena on its feet and singing right along with Max. With a full horn section on stage, Arkells pumped up songs like “Whistleblower” to an even bigger sound, and the crowd loved every second.

One of the night’s coolest moments was the band’s signature “telephone request line.” In the days before the show, they’d invited fans to call in with song requests, and about halfway through the set, Max and guitarist Mike DeAngelis made their way through the crowd to answer the ringing payphone. They played the request song (“Nobody Gets Me”) right there, surrounded by fans – a seriously memorable moment.

The covers also added a fun twist, too. A rendition of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” brought out the nostalgia, and Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” with K.Flay during the encore added a nice touch. During “Past Life”, Max brought a young girl on stage to sing the song with her. While nervous, she did an amazing job and got huge cheers from the crowd.

They wrapped things up with a three-song encore, closing the night with “Leather Jacket.” Two hours flew by in a feel-good blur, and the Arkells left everyone buzzing with that after-show high. It was an experience that left us all feeling like part of the Arkells’ big, musical family.

Arkells have 4 more shows in Canada for this tour, including Victoria tonight. Head to their website for all the info!

Check out some of our favourites photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!