Bedouin Soundclash
+ King Blues and Circuits18th March 2007 - Glasgow QMU
There may have been sleet, snow and sub-zero temperatures outside, but in the QMU it could have been mid-summer – with an evening of reggae-tinged rock and good vibes courtesy of Canada’s finest - Bedouin Soundclash, featuring support from London indie-popsters Circuits and up-and-coming Hackney folk-punk-dub sextet the King Blues.
Having begun life in 2000 playing house parties at University in their native Kingston, Ontario, Bedouin Soundclash certainly know how to entertain a crowd, generating an instant party atmosphere with their unique blend of buoyant reggae rock and dynamic junglist style beats.
Playing a set drawing predominantly from their 2004 album, Bedouin had the Glasgow crowd dancing and singing from start to finish. Equal parts boisterous and soulful, the band mesmerised the QMU audience with song after song of good-time-vibes including the raucous “Shelter” and laid back acoustic “Jeb Rand” – based on the 1974 film “Pursued” – and of course their hit single and crowd favourite, the sublime “when the Night Hears My Song” to rapturous applause.
For me the high point of the set came with the trio’s rendition of Vern Maytone’s reggae classic “Money Worries”, with the singing from the crowd threatening to drown out the sound onstage, to the obvious delight of Jay Malinowski, the act’s singer and guitarist – who exclaimed in obvious sincerity “I’m falling in love with Glasgow tonight”. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, the feeling was mutual.
> Iain Taylor
