Arkells

On June 17, 2026, Arkells bring their indie rock craft to Lee’s Palace in Toronto. Formed in Hamilton in the mid-2000s, the band grew out of the McMaster scene, first as Charlemagne, before settling into a quintet led by Max Kerman’s voice and a tight rhythm section. Their sound blends alternative and pop rock with soul accents, built on driving guitars, bright keys and gang vocals.

On stage, the set draws from across their catalog: the direct, guitar-led energy of Jackson Square; the more melodic, keyboard-forward turns of Michigan Left and High Noon; the broader palette of Morning Report and Rally Cry, where horns and R&B shades slip in. Campfire Chords brings a stripped-back thread that the group weaves into the show, while Blink Once and Blink Twice open the door to collaboration-minded cuts shaped with Tegan and Sara, Lights, Cold War Kids or Coeur de pirate. Laundry Pile returns to intimate songwriting, supplying recent material that sits naturally alongside older favorites. Expect a fluid run of songs, from punchy choruses to quieter passages, carried by collective momentum and stories built to be sung out loud.