Arkells lead singer Max Kerman says the inspiration for the band’s tour of smaller venues came to him during three days last July in Calgary. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘It’s so nice to wake up in the same city every day, go to work, but have a coffee at your favourite local place’—shoutout to Analog—and I was like, ‘That would be a good way to tour,’" Kerman told CTV News. The nine-time Juno Award-winning band was in Calgary for three days during the Stampede last year, performing a private show and a concert at the Coke Stage. Kerman also made an appearance that weekend to promote his new book, Try Hard. Now, Arkells are doing a series of smaller shows in Canadian cities, including in Calgary on May 19 at the Palomino Smokehouse, May 20 at the Royal Canadian Legion and May 21 at the Palace Theatre. The shows are in support of their new album, Between Us. “When you’re playing new material, it’s almost better if you can be in a really confined space, and it’s almost irresponsible for you to play new songs in a big arena because you should just really be playing the hits when you’re playing at the Saddledome,” Kerman said.
