We called them up from a pay phone, and they certainly answered. The Arkells killed it recently with Poolside at the Saddledome in Calgary.
Blending smooth grooves and catchy melodies, Poolside warmed up the crowd. The combination of mellow vocals, shimmering synths, and a laid-back bass line invites fans to get lost in their feel-good rhythm. They covered “Shakedown Street,” a beautiful tribute to the late Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead. The crowd also grooved to songs such as “Around the Sun” and “Can’t Stop Your Lovin’.” We were so lucky to have Poolside back in our city once again.
Poolside Photo Shannon Johnston
The Arkells brought their anticipated anthems with heartfelt lyrics, asking the crowd to sing along and dance the night away. It was a celebration of the band’s long and successful career, showcasing their unique charm and charisma. Equipped with a full horn section, duelling guitars, and the Keyboard Master himself, Anthony Carone, the Arkells sent the Saddledome faithful into overdrive. Launching right into the hits with “Come to Light” and “People’s Champ,” laying the ground work for what will go down as an unforgettable night.
An acoustic break featured a swooning version of “Quitting You.” “If you could see what we can see up here,” said frontman Max Kerman, looking out toward the sea of lighters and brightly lit cellphones, “the stars sure are shining bright for us tonight.”
Our favourite part of the evening, of course, was the Arkells’ telephone request line. Set on the floor in the middle of delighted concertgoers, the payphone rang and played a message from a fan hoping to hear “Laundry Pile.” As they launched into the opening chords, the familiar melody filled the air, reminding everyone of special memories tied to that song. A night with the Arkells cannot be complete without thoughtful covers of their favourite songs, such as Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and, as part of their encore set, “Dancing On My Own ” by Robyn, sung with Poolside’s Mattie Safer and Alton Allen on the last night together on tour. The Big Feelings Tour is a magical blend of nostalgia and elation. It’s not hard to understand why the Arkells reign as Canadian rock royalty.
The Arkells continue their tour next week with dates in Kelowna (14th), Vancouver (15th) and Victoria (16th) before returning to Ontario for the end of November with stops in Oshawa (28), Barrie (29) and Kitchener (30). For tickets and info visit Arkells Live
Shannon Johnston
