Doves at Aviva Studios: Manchester heroes' first home city shows in 15 years worth the wait
The band, formed in Wilmslow, back in 1998, are currently on the road in support of sixth album Constellations for The Lonely. Thursday and Friday's gigs being the group's first in Manchester for 15 years. Judging on the performance delivered during the latter, they've been worth the wait, as long as it has been.
Off-the-bat, it is only right to acknowledge frontman Jimi Goodwin is not currently touring with Doves as he takes a break from live shows to concentrate on his mental health. Goodwin is present on their recently-released record, even spotted in the iconic Piccadilly Records promoting it earlier this week, and has asked for the attention to be on his bandmates during this run of concerts - which is what we'll do.
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On Friday evening, as Doves took flight in the Avivia's Hall venue, Jez Williams ably headed the lion's share of the vocal responsibilities with brother Andy, on occasion relinquishing his drums, for the lead on some Doves classics.
Arriving on the stage with a backdrop evoking the Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe film, The Lighthouse, Doves steered their adoring fans through a wonderful night of melodic indie music which has stood the test of time. Cold Dreaming and Renegade being gratefully received offerings from Constellations.
Jez addressing the crowd: 'Hello beautiful Mancunians, what a posh venue, we'll have to up our game.' While a touching moment came when brother Andy revealed the pair's 89-year-old mum was in the crowd proudly watching her sons.
When the unmistakable Snowdon and Pounding, arguably the set's highlight, came the festivities really did start to feel like a Friday night. The latter being a regular on the matchday playlist at the Etihad Stadium - of course home to Jez and Andy's beloved Manchester City. It is worth noting, some may have seen Doves poke a little of fun, this week, at that other famous City supporting band, featuring two brothers, while promoting Constellations for The Lonely.
During Pounding, Jez made a defiant dedication to 'Manchester of the old' with nods to The Boardwalk, The Haçienda and Granada - among some other of the city's institutions. He added: 'I love this city, it is f**king beautiful.'
Last Broadcast and Black and White Town, which closed the main set, were some of the major pluses, in a night, where the packed out crowd showed their admiration for one of Manchester's underrated bands. The Williams brothers, and their talented touring ensemble returned to the stage, which had the feeling of being set up for a 6Music TV special, for a very generous four-song encore - there were certainly no complaints from the masses.
Andy briefly leaving his drums to guide the Aviva through Kingdom of Rust while later Doves favourite There Goes the Fear saw many fall into moments of tender embrace. Just when it felt like the hugely-enjoyable night was over, Jez chimed: 'It's Friday night, do you want one more?'. There was really no need to ask with staple Doves cover Space Face, featuring accompanying graphics from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, being the band's own nod to those Haçienda days of yore.
While it would be lovely to see Jimi Goodwin, at some point, reunite on stage with his bandmates, Doves, are flying pretty solidly in his absence.
Firesuite
Carousels
Words
Cold Dreaming
Here It Comes
Renegade
Snowden
Cycle of Hurt
Winter Hill
Strange Weather
Pounding
Last Year's Man
Rise
Last Broadcast
10:03
Caught by the River
Black and White Town
The Cedar Room
Kingdom of Rust
There Goes the Fear
Space Face
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