Doves ask for understanding over singer’s absence

Manchester band Doves has asked for understanding from fans after announcing dates for new shows that will take place without frontman Jimi Goodwin.

The band is set to release comeback album Constellations For The Lonely next year and have revealed dates for three live shows later this month.

But the gigs will be performed without Goodwin, whose challenges with mental health saw Doves cancel part of the last live tour in 2021.

Guitarist and vocalist, Jez Williams, said he would be singing at the shows instead adding Goodwin was “doing great”, but that the lead singer was “still not out of the woods”.

In a post on Doves’ X account, Williams said Goodwin “needs more time to recover”, adding he and his twin brother Andy Goodwin, who plays drums, would be joining him in singing some of the songs.

“I hope this is cool and you understand/are accepting,” he said.

Goodwin said the band had been “working really hard” and was looking forward to playing a mix of new material, their 2020 album Universal Want, and “the old songs you know”.

Doves’ newly-announced gigs include shows in Stoke, Birkenhead and Hebden Bridge all in the last week of November.