TORONTO - While Lit, one of three bands that performed at the Molson Amphitheatre last night, was boring us to death, some friends got to pondering what it must be like for a group to witness its popularity dwindle.

The band in question was headliners No Doubt, a quartet that packed Maple Leaf Gardens to the hilt -- that's 16,000 heads -- a couple of years back, but was able to draw only 3,000 this time around.

"We went platinum (in Canada)," Gwen Stefani told the gathering that roared its approval. She was referring to the fact that No Doubt's most recent effort, Return To Saturn, has sold 100,000 copies here. Impressive, but, um, their last album, Tragic Kingdom, sold one million units.

Falling fortunes aside, the southern California group gave all that they have, just as they always do in concert.

Fronted by the colourful dynamo and erstwhile Girl Power goddess who is Stefani, No Doubt turns out New Wave for kids who weren't around when it was all the rage.

Ska, punk and reggae, albeit ultra-lite versions of all three, also creep into their songs, giving them the requisite bounce appeal.

No Doubt is equally adept at knocking off shiny, happy pop that makes young girls pogo in public and in their bedrooms.

Now, if you contest the fact that No Doubt attracts more young women than boys, you should have heard how they outsang us during Excuse Me Mr.?

It must be said that this demographic gravitates toward Stefani for reasons other than her exuberance.

She sings of insecurity (Bathwater), uncertainty in life (Too Late), and heartbreak (Don't Speak) with an honesty that puts many of the teen stars ruling the charts to shame.

Oh yeah, getting back to Lit, one of the two opening acts. How dreadful were they? They were so bad that I actually entertained whipping off home and taking our seven-month-old Basset Hound for a stroll while they churned out song after song that sounded the same.

California-based hip-hop crew Black Eyed Peas had the unenviable task of kicking off the night while the sun still shone and people trickled in, but the nine-strong group didn't let this deter them from delivering a funky, animated set.

Judging by the reaction of the few at hand, the Peas -- comprised of three rappers who took turns breakdancing, a DJ, a drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist and a honey-voiced singer (Kim Hill) -- made quite a few converts last night. Bridging The Gaps, its second album, arrives in stores in September.

JAM! Rating: 3 out of 5