Doves

Doves had something of an usual genesis in '90s Madchester. Founding members Jimi Goodwin, Jez Williams and Andy Williams were all members of Sub Sub, best remembered for their 1993 hit single Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use). After a fire at their recording studio in early 1996 essentially spelled the end of the band, Goodwin and the Williams brothers took time out to regroup and returned in 1998 with a new name and a new sound. Thus, Doves were born.

Three early EPs across 1998 and 1999 were met with a positive critical reception, paving the way for the band’s Mercury Prize-nominated debut Lost Souls in 2000. The album earned the band comparisons to fellow Mancunian notables, such as Oasis, Stone Roses and The Charlatans as well as other Britpop luminaries like Radiohead and The Verve.

The band kept moving, quickly building on the success of Lost Souls with its successor The Last Broadcast, which debuted at No.1 in the UK album charts and yielded a No.3 single There Goes The Fear. Again the band found themselves on the shortlist for the Mercury Music Prize.

Following a B-sides compilation Lost Sides, Doves retreated to various spots in the British countryside to work on their third album, Some Cities. By contrast, the album had a more urban and rawer feel than its predecessors. Again, they debuted at No.1.

It took five years for Doves’ fourth album, Kingdom Of Rust, to arrive. It stopped one spot short of The Last Broadcast and Some Cities, peaking at No.2 in the album charts. An extensive world tour followed as well as a performance with the London Bulgarian Choir, as part of the BBC Electric Proms.

In 2010, following the release of a greatest hits compilation, the band announced that they were going on hiatus. In 2014, Jimi Goodwin released his solo debut and the Williams brothers formed a new band, Black Rivers.

In 2018, Doves played their first new shows for some time. In 2020, the band released The Universal Want album and confirmed an extensive UK tour. On 8 February 2021, Doves announced rescheduled tour dates for February and March 2022.