Are Doves about to return?

30 October, 2024

Jimi Goodwin performing live on stage with Doves

Doves appear to be teasing their upcoming return – check out the posts below.

The Manchester band, who formed in 1998, released their fifth and latest album ‘The Universal Want’ in 2020. It marked their first full-length record in 11 years, following 2009’s ‘Kingdom Of Rust’.

In 2010, Doves shared the single ‘Andalucia’ from their best-of compilation ‘The Places Between’.

NME hailed ‘The Universal Want’ as “a stunning return after more than a decade away” in a four-star review. Their comeback LP also went to the top of the charts in the UK, earning the trio their third Number One album.

Doves had been scheduled to embark on a UK and Ireland tour in 2022, but later cancelled the shows due to frontman Jimi Goodwin’s mental health struggles. They have not performed live together since 2020.

Now, it seems the group have something in the works – with fans speculating over a potential reunion. Doves have shared a cryptic image on social media this week, along with a ‘sign-up’ link.

The URL directs users to a form through which subscribers can choose to receive “news, tour announcements, exclusives, competitions and more from Doves” via email and text message.

A fan commented on the post, writing: “I’m so glad you’re coming back lads. You’re my favourite band and the world is a darker place when you’re not around.” In response, Doves sent a single emoji: “🙏.”

No further information has been shared at the time of writing.

Should a comeback materialise, Doves would join the likes of Oasis, The Maccabees, Million Dead and Panic! At The Disco in reforming in 2025.

When announcing the cancellation of Doves’ 2022 tour, Goodwin wrote: “My decision to bow out, is believe me, not something I’ve taken lightly.

“One should never apologise for having issues with their mental health, but I do want to say ‘sorry’ to all that have bought tickets. I’m truly grateful for the patience, love and understanding of my brothers Andy, Jez and Rebelski.”

The statement added: “We have to take each other’s welfare as seriously as the music and, sadly, mental health issues simply mean that performing live isn’t possible for us at this time or for the immediate future.”

During an interview with NME in 2020, Doves spoke about how David Bowie and mental health had shaped ‘The Universal Want’. “These songs are a timestamp of where our heads are at at the moment,” said guitarist Jez Williams.

“I think it’s still got that yearning that all Doves songs have got. I was trying to tap into a balearic, summer yearning.”

He continued: “I also thought there was a lot of self-help in these lyrics, especially on songs like ‘Cycle Of Hurt’ and ‘Prisoners’. There’s a lot more tapping into mental health issues.

“It feels like a bit of healthy therapy. We’ve not had the pleasure of playing it live where people sing it back to you, but I imagine that will be a pretty cool moment – if it ever fucking happens!”

You can revisit Doves’ full video interview with NME above, as fans await potential news on their return.

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