DOVES // SWG3: GALVANZIER'S YARD, GLASGOW
Doves show they have lost none of their poise and verve at the SWG3 Galvanizers Yard
DOVES PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S SWG3: GALVANIZER’S YARD - 08.06.2019
PICTURE BY: STUART WESTWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆ (4/5)
The return of 00s indie rockers Doves was meet with fervent excitement by the Glasgow crowd. This is fitting for a reunion partly inspired by widely circulated petition calling for the popular indie rockers return.
Before they take to the stage the vast crowd gathered in the outdoor area of SWG3; The Galvanizers Yard and were treated to a warmup act in the form of local up and coming post punk band Man of Moon.
Man of Moon’s dramatic and intense rock deservedly earns attention and appreciative applause. Though their set is slightly waylaid by Skin as the muted vocals and strangely subdued music fail to catch fire. Though they finish impressively with the LCD Soundsystem esque Strangers which has a fantastically groovy bassline that contrasts nicely with the typically doomy chorus.
Doves bound on the stage and launch into a largely instrumental opening song, the elegiac Firesuite this is followed by the propulsive orchestral joy of Snowden. The comes Black and White Town, it’s hands in the air chorus lifting the crowd. These opening songs illustrate what makes the Doves so beloved and unique, their ability to craft both scenic melancholic instrumentals and music while also capable of writing anthemic indie rock songs.
Then songs from 2002 The Last Broadcast are given an airing, the ringing guitar riff of Words is uplifting, afterwards there is a more sedate pace with the title track from the aforementioned album. The crowd are evidently fully on board for Doves reunion and the frontman Jimi Goodwin comments enthusiastically on the adulation the band receive.
Demonstrating the consistency of their back catalogue, the group drop a trio of songs from the Kingdom of Rust. This Doves’s final release before their hiatus was slightly underappreciated at the time. However, the warmth of Winter Hill is shown by the organic earthly keyboards, while the overcast Kingdom of Rust is a gloomy juxtaposition of a memorable chorus and dark lyrics. One of the most outstanding moments of the evening is the hymnal build up of 10:03 into its transcendent release of tension through low basslines and frenzied drumming.
Pounding, a driving indie rock ode to living through the pressures and fleeting triumphs of modern life and a heartfelt Caught By The River end the main set.
Doves then encore with The Cedar Room and There Goes the Fear the intro of which inspires another sing along with the entire crowd joining in this makes for a moving moment. After the emotional climax of the touching chorus song ends with tribal drumming it is a truly magnificent way to end a concert.
Though fans could justifiably be slightly irked that to set the gig up outside seemingly made the tickets for this show more expensive than others on the tour. Ultimately, none of that mattered though as Doves showcase, they can still do soulful British indie rock like no one else.
SETLIST: | DOVES : SWG3: GALVANIZER’S YARD, GLASGOW - 08.06.2019
Firesuite
Snowden
Rise
Black and White Town
Sea Song
Words
Last Broadcast
The Outsiders
Winter Hill
Kingdom of Rust
Pounding
10:03
Caught by the River
ENCORE:
The Cedar Room
There Goes the Fear