DOVES uplift the crowd at Dundee’s newest music venue, LIVEHOUSE, as they celebrate recent release So, Here We Are: Best Of Doves along with a few new tracks from this year’s Constellations For The Lonely.
It’s great to see another music spot open in Dundee, and with plans to extend the Livehouse’s capacity to around 4,500, Scotland’s third largest indoor music venue will hopefully pick up some band traffic normally centred around Glasgow and Edinburgh. It’s a top venue with bars spread across the vast flooring of the former cinema and bingo hall, but there’s one drawback tonight – no cider at the bars. Of course this isn’t a problem for many, but as someone who spent the early ‘90s living off Dundee’s cider reserves, it’s a bit of a disappointing welcome back to the city.
Nevermind, we’re all about the music at RESOUND and here to see Doves, the band Jimi Goodwin, Andy Williams and Jez Williams formed in 1998 after ditching the club scene when they disbanded dance/electronic act Sub Sub. Dove’s first release Lost Souls emerged over the new century’s horizon with a dark, ethereal energy, before establishing a more expansive sound on 2002’s The Last Broadcast.
Tonight’s show feels like an trip back in time, with six studio albums to indulge in, including new delights from this year’s Constellations For the Lonely. And although lead singer Jimi is unable to tour at the moment, the Williams brothers ensure he’s still here in spirit, the singing duties handed over for the main part to guitarist Jez and the set aptly kicking off with last single, Spirit Of Your Friend. Words, from The Last Broadcast, dazzles under its hypnotic, rotating riff, Jez taking up the vocalist guise with ease, going off for a wander with his guitar from time to time.
There’s an underlying sense of foreboding and mortality in Doves lyrics, offset by luminous melodies which uplift the soul. Lush soundscapes materialise through Martin Rebelski’s atmospheric keys and the superb, effect-laden guitar interplay between Jez and touring guitarist Jake Evans. The result is an eery ambience on nostalgic new number Cold Dreaming and the immersive, late night vibe of Lost Souls track, Firesuite (originally a Sub Sub number) which tonight oozes a glorious gloom you can almost taste, as faint trip-hop like hues brood in and out of focus. Divine!
One of the night’s highlights for me is Here It Comes, from the band’s 2000 debut, and a tribute to Northern Soul. Sung with a whole lot of swagger by Andy, he takes centre stage with his harmonica as Jake takes over the drums. The song is more full-bodied live, Andy strutting around in his element as the track’s bleakness gives way to momentary swells of joy, the number seeped in a melancholic cool as a euphoric nonchalance sways against Martin’s soothing swirls, a distant Madchester heartbeat lingering through every breath. Another delight from their debut is set closer The Cedar Room, ripples of hope uplifting against a mournful tension, its icy chimes slicing through the haze.
A warm sense of appreciation can be felt from the audience throughout the set tonight, with the big hits causing a buzz, from Caught By The River, Pounding, Kingdom Of Rust and Black & White Town to addictive epic There Goes The Fear, which is unsurprisingly saved for the encore. With timeless tunes stirring memories of days long forgotten, I feel like I’ve just rediscovered Doves again, and that’s a great find.
But not forgetting their roots, Doves end the night on another high by squeezing in one last blast, with Sub Sub’s underground hit Space Face from 1991. And as we leave, it looks like the night’s about to get started again. But alas no cider, no party!
There’s still time to do a Doves order for Christmas at https://shop.dovesofficial.com/
Words: Shirley Mack @shirleymack.bsky.social
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography