Bedouin Soundclash Warm Up the Mary Webb Centre
On a chilly Saturday, Jan. 18th, Bedouin Soundclash helped warm up the Mary Webb Centre for the Arts (MWC) in Highgate. This two man band oozed energy the whole evening with their amazing guitar playing and drumming. There were at least 40 in the audience who had never been to the MWC but were there to see Bedouin Soundclash. The interaction between the band and the audience was fun to watch, with a lot joking back and forth.
The band have been together for 20 years, and have played all across Canada and recently toured in Britain. The lead singer Jay played his guitar with so much energy that he broke a string on both of his guitars. He sang a song “Deeper Than Blue”, based on his love for his son Finn. The band went to New Orleans to record an album with the Preservation Hall Blue Band which was wonderful. When he was introducing another song, a man in the audience said that he and his son had been playing the song together for 10 years. The drummer Tony left the stage in both halves of the concert for Jay to sing several songs solo. His guitar playing and the energy he puts into all of his songs was truly entertaining. Tony, when he was with Jay on stage had such a fluid way on the drums, which added so much to Jay’s singing.
As is usual when we have concerts, Jay told many stories about his growing up as a singer and guitar player. He told that his wife, a member of Belle Star, had played at the MWC in 2016. Their son Finn says that he doesn’t like music, probably because when his parents are playing together, they aren’t paying attention to him. Often when he doesn’t want to go to bed, they threaten to play for him and off he goes.
The band got a rousing standing ovation when they ended their show and came back for a few more songs. A great combination of indie, rock and reggae. Jay spent a long time in the art gallery after the concert, talking to folks and signing albums and programs. The merchandise table did very well, selling t-shirts, albums and CDs.
Thanks to our sound technician Joel Morningstar.