Arkells have just premiered their performance video of Hand Me Downs, ahead of their Euro/UK tour, which kicks off tonight in Cologne. Watch the video here.
This spring, the band broke from recording their new release Rally Cry, to head to the UK for a month-long tour with Frank Turner, knowing that they had to return and finish the album. “Every night we got to watch Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls create these collective moments of unity with the crowds”,reflects frontman, Max Kerman. “These sing-a-longs at these shows are kind of stunning – so much joy, so much heart. At the time I was listening to a lot of Joe Strummer, and became somewhat obsessed with the song Johnny Appleseed. The alchemy of watching Frank every night; and listening to Joe helped inform the beginnings of Hand Me Downs.We recorded a quick acoustic demo, and then as soon as we got home we hit the studio.”
Frank’s contribution came when the band had him come by the studio when he was touring through Toronto in September. “It only made sense to cut another version with him singing. He’s a gamer, of course: he came in a little hungover, but ready to run takes. I love this version of the tune. His sense of work ethic and commitment to the craft has been a guiding light for me. Stoked to play this one live. It opens the record, but I think it’ll close the set.”
Last month, Arkells released their highly anticipated, fifth studio album, Rally Cry (Last Gang/eOne). With the size and scope to match Arkells’ ambition and ever-growing audience, Rally Cry is the band’s most ambitious project yet. Listen here.
Having just wrapped a 3-week USA tour with St. Lucia, Arkells will round out their 2018 with a headline tour of Germany and the UK, starting this week. The UK-run is nearly sold-out; fans can grab remaining tickets via the band’s site here. They will start 2019 playing arenas across Canada w/ very special guests Lord Huron, into a headline run of the USA in support of the album.
Emboldened by their show-stopping 24,000 fans strong summer stadium show, The Rally, held this past June at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field, Arkells promise that the Rally Cry Tour will be their most ambitious set of shows yet with “all the tricks we’ve picked up over the years and new tricks you haven’t seen yet,” says Kerman. “We wrote these new songs to play them live for you.”
ARKELLS 2018 UK TOUR DATES
Nov 21 – Bristol, UK – The Fleece
Nov 22 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy
Nov 23 – London, UK – Heaven
Nov 25 – Glasgow, UK – King Tuts *sold out*
Nov 27 – Leeds, UK – Belgrave Music Hall *sold out*
Nov 28 – Birmingham, UK – Hare & Hounds
Nov 29 – Brighton, UK – Green Door Store
