WINNIPEG -- Great Big Sea frontman Alan Doyle could have saved his voice.

An enamoured audience of 1,600 at the Burton Cummings Theatre Saturday would have gladly sang the band's entire discography if asked.

The Newfoundland band's popularity is such that it seemed like every person in the crowd knew the words to all their songs, and weren't afraid to sing them.

The crowd hooted and hollered its way through the band's original material, a covers medley and updated versions of traditional East Coast numbers like The Night Pat Murphy Died, Mari-Mac and Lukey.

With two video screens showing abstract colour patterns, the feel-good Celtic pop party band sprinkled a healthy mix of numbers from its new album, Something Beautiful, in with older favourites like Up, Consequence Free and Ordinary Day.

There is simply nothing negative about any of the songs. Even tales about loss, such as the title track to the new album, are given a positive spin.

After so many shows in Winnipeg, there aren't many surprises anymore, but Doyle added a new trick to the band's shtick by pulling out the electric guitar for a few new tunes, ripping through a rockin' solo on When I Am King.

As lead vocalist Doyle gets most of the attention, but Bob Hallett, a talented multi-instrumentalist, showed his dexterity on the mandolin, fiddle, button accordion and penny whistle, providing the flavour on the traditional numbers.

Jimmy Rankin opened with a 45-minute set. The heartthrob has left the traditional East Coast sounds of his former group, The Rankin Family, behind and has successfully transformed into a bona-fide roots-rocker.

Seventeen-year-old Toronto singer-songwriter Liam Titcomb played a short five-song set to start the night. (More on Great Big Sea)

JAM! Rating: 3.5 out of 5