Back in April, off-hand comments from Jimi Goodwin suggested Doves’ then impending Greatest Hits tour would be their last. Though apparently misquoted, not every mind’s at ease tonight. “You’re too fucking good to split up!” cries one anxious fan, prompting protest from the stage. “No one said we’re splitting up!” Goodwin protests. “We still get on great – now can you tell the guitarist to turn it down; I’d tell him myself but we’re not fucking talking.”
It would be a shame if tonight's stripped back set did prove their Scottish swansong. The opening run, despite featuring classics such as Sea Song, is peculiarly unremarkable, the set only kicking into gear when Black and White Town strikes up – though this too feels drained by the slackened pace and absent drums. Certainly, The Cedar Room scintillates regardless in this set-up, while Northenden excites long-term fans, but overall an uncharacteristic patchiness besets tonight.
Let’s hope the banter doesn’t mask a cancer: tonight’s disappointments aside, another chance to see a plugged-in Doves at their most rousing and magnificent would be highly appreciated. Exiting the stage pre-encore they joke “you’ve been wonderful, we’ve been skin of our teeth,” but the self-effacement is awkwardly on the button.3/5
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