london brixton academy

Oh for the wings of the Doves

I was going to link this Scotsman article at the the bottom of the Swindon review, but I think it deserves its own post. Its written by a fan of doves, talking about what doves have meant in him the past nine years. He saw them for the first time last weekend in Brixton. Enough of my rambling, go give it read. I’m sure many of you can relate.

Doves were one of those bands that kept me company through it all, constants in a world of change. Their music seemed somehow to chime exactly with every pattern of my life. I discovered them back in 2000 with the release of their astonishing debut album Lost Souls. (The joke was that Doves used to be called Sub Sub who were an unspectacular disco outfit who released a catchy pop song or two: worlds away from the anthemic, epic sound of Doves). Three albums later and their alchemy still works its magic. I had always wanted to see them perform live but was worried that the reality would ruin everything, that they would let me down. Because the one thing Doves have never done is let me down.

To read the full article, click here.

Southampton Guildhall Review

A slightly indifferent review of the Southampton show in today’s Southern Daily Echo:

And 2009 is already being tipped as THE year the miserable and majestic trio from Manchester finally turns critical acclaim into mainstream success.

Rave reviews for their new album Kingdom of Rust saw it shoot to Number 2 on the charts last month and their return to Southampton Guildhall after years in the wilderness was highly anticipated.

Which is why it was so surprising that the gig proved to be slightly disappointing.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

NME.com has uploaded some excellent photos of Saturday’s Brixton show. There are also some pictures of the soundcheck and of the NME competition winners that were let in for the soundcheck. To view the pictures, click here.

Brixton Academy 2 Setlist

London, Brixton Academy, Second night.

May 2nd, 2009

Jetstream
Snowden
Winter Hill
Rise
Pounding
Almost Forgot Myself
10.03
Words
The Greatest Denier
Kingdom of Rust
The Last Broadcast
Black & White Town
Compulsion
The Outsiders
Caught by the River
—
Northenden
Here it Comes
There Goes the Fear
Spaceface

Brixton Academy Setlist

London, Brixton Academy, First night.

May 1st, 2009

Jetstream
Snowden
Winter Hill
Rise
Pounding
Almost Forgot Myself
10.03
Words
The Greatest Denier
Kingdom of Rust
Ambition
Black & White Town
Compulsion
The Outsiders
Caught by the River
—
Firesuite
Here it Comes
Last Broadcast
There Goes the Fear