Home birds

Doves fly high as they play first Manchester gigs for 15 years

- CRAIG JONES

DOVES celebrated that true feel of Manchester when they brought the curtain down on two nights at the city's Aviva Studios.

The band, formed in Wilmslow, back in 1998, are currently on the road in support of sixth album Constellations for The Lonely. Thursday and Friday's gigs being the group's first in Manchester for 15 years.

Judging on the performance delivered during the latter, they've been worth the wait, as long as it has been.

Off-the-bat, it is only right to acknowledge frontman Jimi Goodwin is not currently touring with Doves as he takes a break from live shows to concentrate on his mental health.

Goodwin is present on their recently-released record, was even spotted in the iconic Piccadilly Records promoting it earlier this week, but has asked for the attention to be on his bandmates during this run of concerts - which we'll do.