Doves - Exeter University Great Hall, 29/11/2002
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 21 / 11 / 2002

intro
Out on tour to promote their successful second album 'The Last Broadcast', Ben Howarth finds Doves in what was a highly visual show, "demonstrate that a band with ideas will always be better than a few blokes rocking out"
For the Doves, 2002 has been a year where they have reached the public appeal in a big way, yet have seen their peer group of bands fall out of fashion in favour of garage rock. Their second album, however, was a huge seller and their videos have received a lot of airplay. It seems that the public taste couldn’t be more out of line with the tastemakers. Doves, and their support band tonight, last month’s Pennyblackmusic interviewees the Delgados, demonstrate that a band with ideas will always be better than a few blokes rocking out. The Delgados played a hugely enjoyable 40-minute set. The band was really very heavy and loud which I hadn’t been expecting at all, but they were very intense and when they chilled a little bit, it was all the more effective. I guess the sound could have been improved. The rhythm guitar was above the lead in the mix on some songs, and at times frontwoman Emma Pollock’s vocals were a little too quiet. You can’t argue with songs like 'No Danger' though, and I’ll be going out of my way to see them again. Doves spent an age setting up their gear, and then ‘treated’ the audience to a bizarre film which had people running round in Pavarrotti masks, before the band turned up on screen dressed as what looked like sailors. Eventually, the band came on stage, and frontman Jimi Goodwin’s first words were, “We don’t know what that film's about...we just made it okay!” You can’t fault Doves’ ambition though. They used backing films throughout the set, each of which enhanced the mood of the performance. Their light show was equally impressive, and the crowd just got lost in the music. The show began with an intense reading of 'Pounding', then burst into 'There Goes The Fear'. The band closed the latter with all of them playing various drums, and again, despite its oddness it really worked. After they played 'Catch The Sun' and finished the main set with 'The Cedar Room', I realised how amazing it was that after only two albums they have so many songs which will go down as true classics. I realised also that I had underestimated how good they are individually as players, especially evident as yet another intricate guitar part burst from the speakers. Doves have no image. They could be the guys standing next to you at the football or in the pub. They do, however, have ambition, and they write some tremendous songs. Though they have been lumped in with Travis, their real peers are Spiritualised, the Flaming Lips, Radiohead and, yep, the Delgados. What’s more, this concert was up there with Fugazi, Spiritualised and Incubus as one of the years best. Absolutely stunning!
Picture Gallery:-


live reviews |
Royal Albert Hall, London, 5/4/2003 |
![]() |
In an incredible show featuring a guest performance from the Who's Roger Daltrey, Jonjo McNeill watches Manchester's Doves transfrom London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall "from a dull, upper class opera house into a sweaty Northern indie club" |
reviews |
Some Cities (2005) |
![]() |
Slow burning, classic third album from much acclaimed Mancurian act Doves which finds them moving away from the melancholy of their previous offerings and looking more hopefully towards the future |
most viewed articles
current edition
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - InterviewJack Frost - As Seen on TV
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
John McKay - Interview
Editorial - July 2025
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Kruder and Dofmeister - Paral-lel 62, Barcelona, 27/4/2025
Skunk Anansie - Old Market, Brighton, 16/5/2025
Yardbirds - Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, 18/4/2025
previous editions
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Loop - Loop / Godflesh - Heaven, London, 4/6/2014
Super Furry Animals - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Brad Elvis - Interview
Serge Gainsbourg - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Not Forgotten Girl - Interview
Heaven 17 - Interview
Joe Perry (Aerosmith) - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboVultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a Circle
Pulp - More
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Little Simz - Lotus
related articles |
Papernut Cambridge: Interview (2014 |
![]() |
Ben Howarth chats to Death In Vegas and Rotifer member Ian Button about his band Papernut Cambridge's second solo album, 'There's No Underground' |
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart