INDIE rock band Doves have announced a comeback gig at Birkenhead's Future Yard as they prepare for the release of their first new music for four years.

The Manchester chart-toppers, who will release their sixth album in early 2025, will play the intimate Wirral venue on Thursday, November 28 although the gig will take place without frontman Jimi Goodwin due to his "ongoing recovery from personal wellbeing issues".

Whilst the album, Constellations For The Lonely, Doves’ follow up to their 2020 UK No.1 album, The Universal Want, features Goodwin’s contributions throughout, the singer’s illness will keep him from accompanying bandmates ,Andy and Jez Williams, on the road. The brothers, who have interchanged with Goodwin on vocals throughout the band’s studio and stage career, will take on a broader role as vocalists to play songs from both their last two albums and Doves classics.

With just three, initial dates announced–the band’s first since their appearance at Gunnersbury Park in September 2019, both Doves collectively and Goodwin have released statements to state that the all dates are going ahead with the singer’s blessing. 

Official words from the band state: “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.”

Goodwin said: “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!”

All of the imminent Doves live dates are confirmed as follows:

Wednesday, November 27 – Stoke, Sugarmill

Thursday, November 28 – Birkenhead, Future Yard

Friday, November 29 – Hebden Bridge, Hebden Bridge Trades Club

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, November 12 at 9.30am via www.dovesofficial.com

Andy and Jez Williams will perform on each of the upcoming tour dates with an expanded live band. The line-up is confirmed to include longstanding friend, Nathan Sudderson bass, who has performed with Elbow, Nadina Shah and King Creosote and multi-instrumentalist, Jake Evans, who was a touring member of Jimi Goodwin’s own band and joined Bernard Sumneras a member of Bad Lieutenant. Long-standing touring keyboard player, MartinRebelski, continues with the band.