Arkells playing secret show with orchestra Friday night

The Arkells, Boris Brott and Supercrawl are teaming up for a night of pop up shows Friday thats a mash-up of rock and orchestral music.

Its all happening during artcrawl, when the band is playing four sets with live strings supplied by Boris Brott and The National Academy Orchestra. The ensemble is playing tracks from the bands soon to be released album High Noon, which comes out Aug. 5.

• READ MORE: New Arkells album coming this summer

But the location is being kept a secret. Fans can get wristbands for the shows at Dr. Disc and Cheapies in downtown Hamilton at noon. Tickets are limited to two per person, but the event is free.

Audiences are getting two sneak peaks here. The first is the Arkells new album, which has a Dire Straits/Bruce Springsteen feel to it but with modern sensibilities, says frontman Max Kerman.

Lyrically, its a little more outspoken, Kerman told CBC Hamilton in a previous interview. You can also hear a heavier influence creeping around these songs, courtesy the bands rhythm section.

The second sneak peak is an advance look at Boris Brotts upcoming Orchestrate Hamilton! initiative a concept series that connects the symphony with select local artists to orchestrate their work for unique performances.

Space is tight at Friday nights show, as the venues capacity is only 70 people. These shows are somewhere between a club show and an art exhibition.

Donations welcome at the door, with proceeds going to SpecKids. More Supercrawl announcements are expected in the coming weeks.