I spent a good portion of my summer listening to the Hamilton-based band Arkells, so when I heard they were coming to Ottawa, I was there.

The band’s debut album, Jackson Square, is one of the few I’ve heard recently that has legitimately good songs from beginning to end, so it’s no surprise the concert was exactly the same: thoroughly satisfying from the very start to the very end.

Though, actually, it was even better.

The band performed at Capital Music Hall Nov. 25 as part of Live 88.5’s “WTF” concert series, playing to a sold-out crowd.

Openers and new additions to the tour Dinosaur Bones, played on a cramped stage yet still showcased some serious talent, performing songs from their latest album, Birthright.

The Reason, another Hamilton-based band, followed, performing songs from their newest record, Fools. I’d never heard of them before, but was pleasantly surprised. There are so many concerts I’ve been to where the opening acts were absolutely awful, but this was for sure not the case.

Here were three Canadian bands, all of which write all their own music, who were legitimately really good. It’s hard not to feel proud to be Canadian after being at a concert like this one.

As the lights dimmed, Arkells finally emerged onto the stage, opening their set with “Pullin’ Punches,” a strong start to the hour-long performance that seemed to fly by in mere minutes.

The band had the crowd singing along to favourites such as “The Ballad of Hugo Chavez” and “John Lennon,” as well as playing some new songs that will appear on their sophomore album.

Before singing “Deadlines”, Max Kerman, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, explained to the crowd that he’d been hearing that many fans couldn’t attend the concert because of looming essay and assignment deadlines.

“Well, can you relate, Ottawa?” Kerman called out to the crowd.

Arkells wiped away any concern I’d had with my deadlines. I was far too enthralled with the amazing show these five Hamiltonians put on to be thinking about December exams.

Kerman has the kind of stage presence that musicians who have been performing to sold-out stadiums for decades couldn’t even dream of achieving.

My pre-existing crush on him was amplified tenfold the moment the band hit the stage. His quirky dance moves, his charisma and his witty banter made him all the more irresistible.

There was nothing too flashy about their show. Sure the lighting was cleverly choreographed with the songs, but if anything, the small venue showcased just how talented Arkells really is.

For an encore, the band played their first hit, “Oh! The Boss is Coming” and “The Choir.” The latter was probably my least favourite of their songs, but seeing it live changed my perspective completely.  

The icing on the cake came when Arkells invited members from both Dinosaur Bones and The Reason to sing Bryan Adam’s hit song “Run to You.” It was like watching a bunch of best friends drunkenly sing along to their favourite song.

As cheesy as it may sound, the fun these guys were having on stage was completely infectious.