Doves

It's been a busy few days - first up was the Doves concert at the Newcastle Academy. I'd never been before, but it's a very nice venue with good views from just about everywhere - even the bars. As usual, with the PA set up for the main band the support act, Polytechnic, sounded pretty bad and we were unable to hear anything they said. Their set lasted 45 minutes which was a bit long considering the muffled sound they were producing. Eventually Doves took to the stage 25 minutes later and proceded to play out several songs from Some Cities and a collection from The Last Broadcast. Starting with Snowden and Sky Starts Falling and even performing seemingly gig-unfriendly tracks such asWhere We're Calling From. After seeing Weezer live up to their reputation of not speaking or even moving, I was a bit apprehensive that Doves would be the same. They certainly aren't too talky, with Jimi conversing with the crowd only when absolutely neccessary (such as when Pounding had to be abandoned 30 seconds in due to Jez breaking a string), but they were certainly very lively. The light show was very good, mathing the style of music, creating silouettes of the band on stage. Rousing versions of Caught By The River and Last Broadcast went down a storm.

After 70 minutes, a rousing performance of The Cedar Room, the band retired off stage before a couple of things that I've never seen before. Firstly, a video showing them leave, be limo'd to a pub 2 doors down the road, drink and read the paper for a few minutes, before being limo'd the 12 feet back to the venue, handing their coats to some aides nd going through the stage door - sure enough ey reappeared and then swapped instruments with Jimi taking to the drums allowing Andy to take vocal and harmonica duties for an impressive version of Here it Comes from Lost Souls. This arrangement continued for a couple more songs before they finished with Some Cities and the song everyone had been waiting for - There Goes the Fear. The major disapointments were the lack of Satellites, Words and 2 that were always unlikely to appear: Firesuite and B-Side Valley.

As the lights went up it revealed a pretty wide demographic of fans present - from teenagers all the way up to middle aged couples. One of us even spotted their French lecturer there. Doves obviously appeal to a wide audience and their style of understated but rewarding music explains it. Overall we had a great time - for the people from home - I was almost trapped behind the tallest man in the world, but managed to move...

Sadly we didn't get any photos. And for some reason there was noone selling unofficial t-shirts outside afterwards - what's the world comming to?