A wee piece on Echoes in the Alleyway in today’s Guardian.

Click to Download: From Daytrotter to Doves

It’s always nice when something actually comes of an idea fuelled by drunken optimism in a late-night bar. That was the genesis of a new tribute album to brooding Mancuncian rockers Doves, released online this week. Some fans of the band had the idea following a Doves show in April, and soon found that other Doves lovers from around the world wanted to take part. The result is the very listenable 25-track album Echoes in the Alleyway. Given that it has been made by fans, it’s not surprising that several of the songs sound like the work of Doves tribute acts (albeit very proficient ones). As ever with covers, though, the best are those that bring something different to the track, particularly a newly twanging M62 Song by North Carolina’s Honored Guests and a gorgeous piano/female vocals take on Melody Calls by 18-year-old Brazilian Alambradas. Download the album from echoesinthealleyway.com in return for a voluntary donation to Teenage Cancer Trust.

Chris Salmon

Get the album

A really great review of Saturday’s WHP gig, at Manchester music. Probably would do it a disservice taking bits to show you on this blog, so just read the full thing. Also probably gives the best answer to the question allot of you have been asking, what the future holds for Doves..

The Last Broadcast? – Manchester Music

First off a review from virtualfestivals.com

We return to the bowels of the rainy city of Manchester for the swan song of acclaimed Mancunian trio, Doves.
Packed like intestines into the arched innards beneath Manchester Piccadilly railway station – a skeletal, red-bricked structure, masquerading as the city’s finest venue by night, then transforming itself back to a car park for our nations commuters by Monday morning –the crowd’s aspirations run high in the knowledge that tonight could bare witness to the final broadcast of Doves.

It’s 1am and Doves arrive on a stage adorned by the most fantastic visuals on multiple screens behind them. Jez and Andy   on guitar and drums send sounds echoing around the building and up into the station above as Jimi’s basslines thunder across the adjacent cobbled roads and back again drenching this loving thrall with his vocal melodies as they break out ‘Cedar Room’, the crowd sing every word.

Continuing with ‘There Goes The Fear’ and most of the songs from last years release ‘Kingdom Of Rust’ and this year’s compilation ‘The Places Between’. Jez acknowledges the people stood under the arches who can’t quite see the band in full are getting a “rough deal” and plays for them as Jimi says, “stage invasion later? I am cordially inviting you.” Much to the dismay of the guitarist and the stage manager

To read the full review, click here.

Gibbo took some cracking videos at the gig. Here’s one of Here It Comes, though beware maybe not quite work safe, as there are a few choice words from a scouser ;) Though probably nothing new these days! :) Gibbo also got Caught By The River & Rise.

Picture thanks to Joy.

For more pictures by Joy, click here.

Manchester Confidential reviewed the show at their website:

“Thanks for sticking with us all these years,” says Jimi Goodwin, halfway through a blistering underground set, which veered through a back catalogue spanning more than ten years. “This is The Last Broadcast.”

“Thanks for sticking with us all these years,” says Jimi Goodwin, halfway through a blistering underground set, which veered through a back catalogue spanning more than ten years. “This is The Last Broadcast.”

Doves are the people’s band. ‘There Goes The Fear’ –the track that will probably end up defining Doves’ career when they finally do decide to call time – had the whole room singing during the encore.

That’s the song, of course, and title of the band’s 2002 album. But Doves (click here for our 2009 interview with them) played imperiously with the will they/won’t they rumours all night.

“This is our last gig,” teased guitarist Jez Williams early in the set, with a wry smile. “Is it?” asked Goodwin. “I don’t know. I’m normally speechless.”

Band and crowd were in fine voice though, and both managed to keep plenty of energy in the room, despite a 1am stage entrance and a set that lasted almost two hours.

To read the full Manchester Confidential review, click here.

Photo by Shirlaine Forrest

For more pro-shot photohtaphs, visit the gigwise.com

Picture by @susfb

NME were at the gig, they noted the band’s management insisted it was not the band’s last gig. With more Australian dates expected to be announced for next year.

Kicking off with B-side ‘Push Me On’, the group rolled out a number of previous singles early on including ‘Snowden’, ‘Winter Hill’ and ‘Pounding’.

“Thanks for coming down, it’s our last ever gig,” guitarist Jez Williams said to the crowd, something he had also recently told NME.

Despite the claims frontman Jimi Goodwin was quick to play down the guitarist saying “there he goes again”, something the band’s management also did, telling NME that it wasn’t their last show having booked a number of dates in Australia next year.

Later on the set was composed of the band’s best-known singles such as ‘Black And White Town’, ‘Caught By The River’, ‘The Cedar Room’ and ‘There Goes The Fear’, before closing with ‘Space Face’ by their previous incarnation Sub Sub.

To read the full review, click here.

Doves have been confirmed to perform at the Playground Weekender festival in Australia next Febuary. Festival takes place over the weekend of Febuary 17th. Tickets on sale next Monday at 9am.

For more info visit the Playground Website

Head over to the Echoes In The Alleyway micro site to download a track from the album. For download is a reworking of Ambition by Modeon.

Visit echoesinthealleyway.com

The album in full will be available to download from next Monday, when we do ask that you please consider a donation to Teenage Cancer Trust.