6th November 2023
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On Saturday 11 April, down at the docks on a windy Spring evening, I was lucky enough to see one of the best live bands this country has produced. It was a spiritual, celebratory performance by the band from Manchester. With 45 years of hits and gigs under their belt, you’d expect nothing less. So, accompanied by a friend of mine with James and Doves experience, I headed to the M&S Bank Arena.
This was a new experience for me at the venue on King’s Dock. One to tick off the list? Sure, but certainly one I will keep an eye out for in the future. It was easy to get in, grab a beer and settle down before the support act. Kronenberg is a good venue beer, but for £8.50 a shiver did go down my student-minded spine as a sole tear splashed into the pint. But it’ll do. The view was superb and, from what I could see, that was likely to be consistent across the venue. It was an arena of course, but it felt much more intimate.
We didn’t have to wait long for Doves to enter the stage. My previous knowledge of Doves was embarrassingly little (although yes, I had heard Black and White Town on one of those ‘Best Fifa Songs Ever’ soundtracks, despite Fifa 06 being before my time). Yet, they proved to be an apt support for James in stature and sound. It was raw, exciting and enjoyable, steeped in the nostalgia of 2000s indie rock.
Despite missing their frontman Jimi Goodwin, Jez Williams provided a great energy and tone in his performance. A highlight of mine, apart from the Fifa song, was the glorious introduction to the second song of the evening, Words. Andy stood primed at the end of the stage as he belted into a harmonica, the sound bouncing off the walls and filling the arena. The rest of the nine-track setlist saw the spirit of the place rise and attention to the music and stage firmly set and Laid ready for the main event (wahey).
As we went to Sit Down after the break (wahey), the anticipation in the crowd was palpable. Fresh off of the band’s first number 1 album with Yummy in 2024, and the release of Nothing But Love – The Definitive Best Of in November, James performed like they’d only just begun. It was a fresh, powerful and celebratory performance, and you could tell the band were thriving off their recent successes.
Steeped in spirituality, lasting lyrics and Tim Booth’s enchanting vocals, this gig left me thoroughly impressed at the energy and longevity of the band and their work. Looking over the crowd, it was joyous to see the nostalgia of the nineties and early noughties filling the room and everyone in it. So too did Booth fill most of the room in what I can only guess was in an attempt to reach his 10,000-step goal. “Friendly, these Liverpudlians” he exclaimed as he walked around the circumference of the arena while greeting and singing duets with anyone who wished.
Togetherness was a theme throughout the show. It was truly a celebration, with hits like Say Something, She’s a Star and Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) bringing the crowd together in chorus with Booth playing the role of conductor. In true James fashion, the show implored important and timely messages of community, multiculturalism and positivity.
I left the M&S Bank Arena with a big smile on my face – isn’t that all you can ask for? A great gig with timeless tunes and the quality to back it up. A lovely evening with a band I will definitely see again if the chance arises!
Thank you to LGSM for the experience.
Have a look at the remaining tour dates and summer appearances here:
Listen to Nothing But Love – The Definitive Best Of, here:
Click here to listen to Doves’ latest compilation, So, Here We Are: Best of Doves:
