Doves announce first tour dates in five years, minus Jimi Goodwin

Doves have announced three ultra-intimate live dates for later this month, minus frontman Jimi Goodwin.

The anthemic Manchester trio returned to the fore last week with their stunning new song ‘Renegade’, the first taster of their sixth studio album ‘Constellations for the Lonely.’

After playing a series of live dates throughout 2019, Doves previously cancelled their planned 2022 tour to prioritise Jimi Goodwin’s mental health.

Five years on from their last concerts, Doves will return to performing live this month without Goodwin so he can focus on his ongoing recovery.

Doves co-founders, twin brothers Jez (guitar, vocals) and Andy Williams (drums, vocals), will instead take centre stage at the shows.

Joining them as part of the expanded live band are bassist Nathan Sudders, multi-instrumentalist Jake Evans, and long-standing Doves keyboardist Martin Rebelski.

The shows start at the 400-capacity Sugarmill in Stoke on Wednesday 27th November, before visiting the 280-capacity Birkenhead Future Yard (Thu 28th Nov) and the equally intimate Hebden Bridge Trades Club (Fri 29th Nov).

Tickets go on sale from Doves’ official website at 9.30am on Tuesday 12th November.

Doves said in a joint statement: “We were beyond heartbroken to have missed out on touring our last record ‘The Universal Want’ one that we are still really proud of, but Jimi’s health came first. Jimi is irreplaceable but, with his blessing, we’re going to be able to play the songs from ‘The Universal Want’, ‘Constellations For The Lonely’ and others on stage. As you know, vocal duties are shared on all our albums and we, Jez and Andy, will be taking on this role on the upcoming live dates.

“Recording is one thing but, we are compelled to play live, we always were, and not being able to do so has affected us all, personally, in ways we couldn’t have imagined. We’ll have some extremely talented friends with us to make the shows go off as Doves shows always did. It’s exciting to be starting off in really intimate venues, going back to our roots.”

Jimi Goodwin adds: “It’s wild to think of a Doves show I might be watching instead of hitting the stage for but life just hasn’t led us all to the same place. I am doing so much better, taking looking after myself seriously and making music every day, but for now I just can’t commit to a lengthy tour. I need to work and trust in the process of my recovery. I am fully committed to it and right now it’s not compatible with a mad, city-to-city schedule.

“‘Constellations For The Lonely’ is an album we’re all immensely proud of and we feel we’ve pulled it out of the hat again. It’s gonna sound insane when it gets let off the leash. All my love and respect to Andy, Jez, Rebelski and the new boys for taking it to you, our people. Please give them all your support and enjoy the shows!”

‘Constellations for the Lonely’ was written, recorded and produced by Doves between locations in Greater Manchester, North Wales and Cheshire with additional production from long-term collaborator, Dan Austin.

Ahead of its release on Friday 14th February 2025, the album is available to pre-order here on a smorgasbord of formats, including standard and special edition vinyl, CD, cassette and digital.

Doves’ confirmed tour dates:

NOVEMBER 2024

Stoke Sugarmill – Wed 27th

Birkenhead Future Yard – Thu 29th

Hebden Bridge Trades Club – Fri 29th

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