Norway

Doves on Stage at Øya. Photo by Anders Arntsen

Thanks to Jon Zeigler for letting me know about these two reviews of doves set at Øyafest.

Dagsavisen.no – Doves in the sunset (5/6 stars)

The jist of the review in English thanks to Jon:

The reviewer says exactly what I was thinking as I stood there, about how the scenery suited the band and the music perfectly. Sunset, tower cranes with birds
flying around them, beautiful sky, a flock of birds in V-formation passing over the stage, the white opera house in the background etc. The guys on stage were also quite aware of the scenery. Jez was often looking up towards the sky or towards the cranes. I noticed the birds in formation because Jez was following them with his eyes until they passed over the stage behind him. At one point Jimi lifted his sunglasses and said “It’s looking good, man!

abcnyheter.no – “Manchester band Doves delivered the goods (met the expectations) at Øya”
5/6 stars

Ok I did not get the jist of that Side2 review I posted on Saturday. Jon has very kindly transcribed the review in full:

Keep the band, fire the sound guy. That’s one way of summing up Doves gig at Øya.

“The Manchester-band Doves has in many peoples eyes (including yours truly) given the world one of the best albums so far this year. With three other
albums of similar quality under their belt, it just had to be a success when the seasoned gentlemen arrived at Øyafestivalen Friday night?

Unfortunately, the sound guy had other plans.

First half of the show was basically ruined by bad drum- and guitar sound. After three songs, frontman Jimi Goodwin was made aware of the
guitar trouble by a frustrated, but helpful audience.

Because after all, we were there to experience fantastic versions of “Jetstream”, “10:03” and good old “Pounding”. But even though the guys had
included the best songs from their “new classic” ‘Kingdom of Rust’ in the set list (plus some older snacks), there was still something unredeemed(?)
and murky(?) about the whole thing.

However, from the driving rock song “The outsiders” to the closing with Doves’ eminent signature-song “There goes the fear”, everything works the way
it’s supposed to. Then, when you hear how fantastic the trio sounds, it’s extra upsetting/bitter(?) to think about the embarrassing sound problems in
the first half of the concert with one of the worlds best guitar bands

-So please come back anytime guys – but fire the sound guy. That’s an order!”

Jon also added his own thoughts on the set:

I stood in front, close to the speakers and didn’t really notice anything wrong (except for Jez breaking a string and occasionally signaling to the sound guys to turn something up or down.) but at one point someone in
the back shouted “turn up the guitar”, so it’s obvious that there were some sound problems. Also some minor problems with Jimis bass, but that was quickly taken care of. At the start of the show, several people shouted out requests for “Catch the sun” (and others), but Jimi, although appreciating the requests said something like “We’re not quite there yet”, (as in “we’re not the kind of band that takes requests”?). He also mentioned at least twice that Andy was getting married next Sunday, and that he was going to sing in the wedding. He commented that Andy had “been with her for 15 years, so it was about time he did the right thing”. Anyway, this was my first Doves gig, and I think they did a great job.

Thanks so much to John for the above links and taking the time writing the translation. Also thanks to Vivi for letting me know about the Side2 review at the weekend. Without you guys, I would have nothing to report from Øyafest! I’ve had so much great feedback for the blog since setting it up in Febuary, but without the help of you guys – the readers, sending me links to reviews/pictures/setlists etc the blog would be nothing. Cheers!