Arkells

Whether they’re rocking stadiums, making a beeline for the discotheque, or gathering

around the campfire, the implicit message of Arkells is always the same: everyone is

welcome here. Since the beginning, Arkells have never wavered in their mission to be the

house band that soundtracks the greatest nights of your life and provides emotional

support in your darkest hours. And that communal spirit is reflected in an ever-evolving

sound that hits all the perennial pleasure points—fusing the anthemic power of alt-rock, the

pulpit-shaking passion of vintage soul, the off-the-cuff intimacy of singer-songwriter music,

the urbane edge of 21st-century indie, and the futurist aesthetics of modern R&B. Thanks to

that eclectic ethos, Arkells has continued to evolve, while making everyone feel right at

home. As one of the most heavily rotated acts on radio, and all-time record holders of the

JUNO Award for “Group of the Year, Arkells have extended their reach beyond borders by

infiltrating all corners of pop culture; from global sports telecasts and top-tier video games

to the stages of Coachella and Bonnaroo. But the band’s longevity is ultimately a function of

their commitment to never coasting on past glories and to always live completely in the

moment. Even through their impressive history together, Arkells still approach every gig as

an opportunity to prove themselves to the unconverted; as they’re fond of saying, each time

they take the stage,

“we understand the assignment.

” The first rule of rock ‘n’ roll is to play

every show like it’s your last—but as Arkells prove night after night, it’s just as important to

hold onto the unbridled energy and enthusiasm of your first.

Bino Bames