CALGARY - No Doubt never officially broke up, but there were many who didn't think the band would ever play together again after singer Gwen Stefani's solo career took off.

But there they stood, a vision in crisp white and black colours, showing the almost 12,000 local fans who took in their Saddledome concert last that they are back in a big way.

I wondered what shape No Doubt would be in. They haven't had a proper tour since the release of their last studio album, 2001's Rock Steady.

But any worries I might have had vanished almost as soon as Stefani & Co. launched into the spunky single Spiderwebs, from their 1995 breakthrough album Tragic Kingdom.

While Stefani's voice sounded a little strained at first, she quickly recovered and managed to belt out tune after tune while jumping, running and dancing across the stark, futuristic white stage.

Bassist Tony Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer Adrian Young were balls of sonic energy as they tore through what was essentially a best-of set list.

No Doubt demonstrated their ability to slide effortlessly between SoCal ska-punk, reggae-pop balladry and thunderous, dance-floor friendly funk within the first four songs -- Spiderwebs, Hella Good, Underneath It All and Excuse Me, Mr.

It was exciting to watch Stefani sing and dance along to deep dub grooves and get down to some '80s-style ska rather than the abysmal R&B she's been peddling in her solo career.

The ska-punk sound that brought No Doubt fame almost 15 years ago didn't seem dated.

And the addition of Gabrial McNair and Stephen Bradley on keyboards, percussion and horns added even more depth and muscle to an already rocking performance.

Not surprisingly, Stefani looked incredibly stylish in a militaristic outfit of white pants, black boots, midriff-baring tank top and matching jacket, which she got rid of fairly early on.

It defies logic that this woman is 39 years old. Even after two kids, Stefani has a body that would make a teenage gymnast jealous.

Dumont, Kanal and Young, who are roughly the same age, were equally buff and vigorous.

All eyes were definitely on Stefani, but she was generous with the spotlight.

As of deadline, the band had yet to play Just a Girl, their cover of Talk Talk's It's My Life and the monster ballad, Don't Speak.

In previous concerts they have invited openers Bedouin Soundclash and Paramore onstage to help with percussion and backing vocals on a lively rendition of Adam Ant's Stand & Deliver during the encore.

Other than Stand & Deliver, No Doubt had no new material to play.

Apparently the tour is a way to get their creative juices flowing to write songs for a new album. As long as there aren't any Harajuku Girls involved, I'm happy.

Grammy-nominated Nashville rockers Paramore nearly brought the house down with their spirited set.

Flame-haired singer Hayley Williams is a knockout performer. She's not as slick or polished as Stefani, but she's just as charismatic.

That said, Paramore's music is pretty standard fare. Other than a couple of cracking numbers (the sparkling punky-pop single That's What You Get, in particular), it was run-of-the-mill alternative rock with a dash of emo haphazardly thrown in.

Judging by the amount Paramore T-shirts and identikit Hayleys in the crowd, the band obviously strikes a chord.

Kicking off the evening was Canadian roots/reggae/ska band Bedouin Soundclash.

The group sounded much more vivid and visceral than I'd ever heard them before.

Fedora-sporting singer Jay Malinowski looked like a young Joe Strummer as he thumped his foot against the floor, making sure every word he sang counted.

At times, his vocals were even reminiscent of Strummer's growl, but Malinowski's voice is much too soulful to really compare the two.

It's a shame more people didn't show up early to see their set. They are really becoming one of the country's premiere live acts.