Doves

Doves

Jun 11

M8 SONGS [BUT NO ‘M62 SONG’]

When: 8 June 2019

Where: SWG3 Galvanizer’s Yard

Support: Man of Moon

Band Previously Seen: 1/5/09 Brixton Academy; 6/5/10 Troxy, London

Some Native Americans believe that a Dove can call the rain from the skies -fortunately, after weeks of rain, the arrival of these Doves did the reverse and Glasgow was finally dry – a relief as this was a concert outside at the Galvanizer’s Yard at SWG3.

First to benefit from this was support act duo Man of Moon, as a sizeable crowd had gathered to hear their set. And what a set! Drummer Mikey Reid kept up a rolling barrage of polyrhythmic beats (at times seemingly trying to thump his drum set into submission) whilst vocals of guitarist Chris Bainbridge rang out confidently and commandingly. The latter said that he was lost for words at playing their largest gig to date but there was no sign of nerves in their powerful playing. A band to watch.

Doves were back touring after almost a decade and did not disappoint their fans. I have to pinch myself when remembering that they have so far produced only four albums (all in the first decade of this century). Two of those made it to no.1 and one to no.2 in the UK album charts and tonight showed why.

Fittingly (but perhaps slightly wrongfooting many of the crowd) they begin with the instrumental ‘Firesuite’ which was the first track on their first album Lost Souls. But then we were into ‘Snowden’, a classic Doves track with Andy Williams’ drums pushing the beat along whilst his twin brother Jez’s clipped guitar playing pulses life through the song and Jimi Goodwin’s slightly dour Manchester vocals and anchored bass lead from the front – all washed with the excellent keys (of long-standing non-core band member Martin Rebelski?).

And from then on it is one excellent song after another including a storming ‘Black and White Town’, a relentlessly forward pushing ‘Words’, a beautiful rendition of ‘Winter Hill’, an almost ecstatic ‘Last Broadcast;’ (which really connected with the crowd – and great guitar from Jez), an appropriately ponding ‘Pounding’. My personal favourite tonight was a glorious ‘Kingdom of Rust’.

Their encore ends with yet another classic Doves track ‘There Goes The Fear’. And it is all over far too quickly. And the fact that the time seems to have flown by is a sign of just how good the gig was and how good they are. Where have you been guys? Please make some new music!

Band page

Sample video