It was only a short time ago that Toronto band Bedouin Soundclash was on the verge of ceasing to exist. After a brief break that saw frontman Jay Malinowski release a solo album, switching to Sony Music and starting their own label, the band that took the Whiskey stage on November 27^th seemed like one with a new lease on life.

Backed by talented new drummer Sekou Lumumba, original members Malinowski and Eon Sinclair danced around on stage with huge grins on their faces. This tour started in Shanghai, China and has literally taken them around the world, yet they showed no sign of slowing down or being tired.

The audience fed off their energy (and a lot of booze, judging by the drunk girl that repeatedly ran into us) and sang along to songs like Mountain Top, 12:59 Lullaby and Walls Fall Down. They even had a neat surprise in store when Wade MacNeil of Alexisonfire joined them for the song St. Andrews. Meanwhile, opener Charlie Winston jumped in for When The Night Feels My Song. They also took a page from their 2009 tour opening for No Doubt, inviting Winston and his band, opener Michael Rault, and members of Alexisonfire onstage for the finalé, Nothing To Say , from the album Sounding a Mosaic. While their new album Light The Horizon was heavily featured, the set touched on all of their albums, including Malinowski taking a moment to perform solo with Life Is A Gun from Bright Lights & Bruises.

Whether playing the intimacy of a club or the vastness of an arena (as they did at the Saddledome when opening for No Doubt) the casual, fun energy that the band gives off easily fills the room. Bedouin Soundclash's strength is in the quality of their live shows, and this evening was no exception. Over the course of the tour they had several surprise guests, also including Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar who joined them in Edmonton. Bedouin Soundclash showed that they are back in the saddle and on top of their game.