The Pop Corporation

Doves went away for a little while, but now they’re back and have announced three intimate live dates following on from a brand new track earlier this week. There’s a new album coming too, and the whole thing is very heartwarming given the reasons for them going AWOL.

The band say: “We were beyond heartbroken to have missed out on touring our last record ‘The Universal Want’ one that we are still really proud of, but Jimi’s health came first. Jimi is irreplaceable but, with his blessing, we’re going to be able to play the songs from ‘The Universal Want’, ‘Constellations For The Lonely’ and others on stage. As you know, vocal duties are shared on all our albums and we, Jez and Andy, will be taking on this role on the upcoming live dates.”
 
“Recording is one thing but, we are compelled to play live, we always were, and not being able to do so has affected us all, personally, in ways we couldn’t have imagined. We’ll have some extremely talented friends with us to make the shows go off as Doves shows always did. It’s exciting to be starting off in really intimate venues, going back to our roots.”
 
 “It’s wild to think of a Doves show I might be watching instead of hitting the stage for,” Goodwin added, “but life just hasn’t led us all to the same place. I am doing so much better, taking looking after myself seriously and making music every day, but for now I just can’t commit to a lengthy tour. I need to work and trust in the process of my recovery. I am fully committed to it and right now it’s not compatible with a mad, city-to-city schedule.
 
“‘Constellations For The Lonely’ is an album we’re all immensely proud of and we feel we’ve pulled it out of the hat again. It’s gonna sound insane when it gets let off the leash. All my love and respect to Andy, Jez, Rebelski and the new boys for taking it to you, our people. Please give them all your support and enjoy the shows!”

With just three (initially) shows announced, the smaller venues will be a real boon for fans of the group. They’ll be playing at the 400-capacity Sugarmill in Stoke (Wed 27 November), with two further shows take place on consecutive nights in Birkenhead and Hebden Bridge.

Wed 27 November – Stoke, Sugarmill

Thu 28 November – Birkenhead, Future Yard

Fri 29 November – Hebden Bridge, Hebden Bridge Trades Club

Tickets go on sale on Tue 12 November at 9.30am via links at www.dovesofficial.com