Live Review: Doves

Support from The Invisible
@ABC, Glasgow, Sunday 15th March




You have to commend The Invisible for trying something original. Their unusual, progressive sounds take a while to get your ears round, but when you do you realize there’s plenty of interesting stuff going on. Experimental rhythms, funky bass, and the superb vocals of frontman Dave Okumu create a rich aural tapestry. They don’t have the immediate accessibility of the headliners, but it’s clear The Invisible are a talented bunch.

It’s been three years since the Doves last toured and frontman Jimi Goodwin smiles broadly as his band take the stage to a warm reception. They make the bold decision to start with a new track and launch into ‘Jetstream’. It’s a cracking tune, and its taut synths and brooding rhythm section sound fresh and inventive. The song gets a positive response from the crowd, suggesting it was a good move for the band to make it available as a free download on their website. Another new song, ‘Kingdom of Rust’ also does a fine job of whetting the appetite for the album with its understated, majestic sound.

Ostensibly this is a gig to promote Doves’ new album ‘Kingdom of Rust’ but it’s not released until April 6^th and the band decide to play it safe by drawing on their older songs. Their 2002 breakthrough album ‘The Last Broadcast’ is well represented, with the likes of ‘Pounding’, ‘Words’, ‘The Last Broadcast’ and ‘Caught By the River’ all get an airing tonight.

Unfortunately for Doves, their performance can mostly be described as competent. There’s no doubt they’re trying their best but they seem to lack confidence tonight, giving away the fact they’ve spent almost four years out of the live domain. The band’s new album may be called ‘Kingdom of Rust’, but they’ll hope their sound is a little less rusty by the time it’s released!

The band manages to blow-off the cobwebs eventually, ending their set with the euphoric rush of ‘There Goes the Fear’. As the song draws to its triumphant, tribal-drumming conclusion, Doves remind everybody just how good they can be when they’re in full flight.

Doves release their new album 'Kingdom of Rust' on April 6th and play Glasgow Barrowland on 22nd April

Visit the bands on myspace-

The Invisible myspace

Doves myspace