![\"Doves](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_Doves-Manc-Apollo-2025-1.jpg\")
Doves performing on-stage at the Manchester Apollo<\/p>\nDoves played a homecoming show at Manchester Apollo on Saturday nightDoves performing on-stage at the Manchester Apollo<\/p>\n
There was a very distinct, and rather unapologetic, celebration of Manchester when Doves played a homecoming show in the city on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
A wonderfully jubilant feel was in the Manchester December evening air with Doves taking to the stage at the city\u2019s Apollo venue. The band, famously being one of the city’s musical heroes of the blue persuasion, undoubtedly, welcoming fans from the Etihad Stadium<\/a> after Manchester City\u2019s 3-0 afternoon stroll against West Ham<\/a> – a few kits adorned by audience members were dotted around the music hall on the corner of Ardwick<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ahead of support act Hayden Thorpe taking to the stage, Elbow frontman Guy Garvey, was spotted outside the Manchester Apollo<\/a> clearly eager to see Doves back in their city. Garvey being a great sport and posing for selfies with fans as he made his way inside. Some, understandably, wondering if the Elbow star might be joining the evening\u2019s headliners on-stage at some point in the festivities – spoiler, that never happened.<\/p>\n The aforementioned warm-up act Thorpe, declared: \u201cIt is an honour to be here with the best band in the world in the best venue.\u201d Doves appearing just before 9pm on the Saturday before Christmas<\/a>.<\/p>\n As has been publicised, frontman Jimi Goodwin is not currently touring with Doves<\/a> as he takes a break from live shows<\/a> to concentrate on his mental health. Goodwin was present on the recording of the group\u2019s sixth record Constellations for The Lonely which was released earlier this year.<\/p>\n For some time now, Jez Williams has ably headed the lion\u2019s share of the band\u2019s vocal responsibilities, during shows, with brother Andy, on occasion relinquishing his drums, to lead on some Doves classics.<\/p>\n Early airings of Words and Carousels showcasing that melodic indie guitar sound Doves are loved for<\/a>. While Prisoners provided that slightly darker edge which shouldn\u2019t be ignored. From their recent tours, it so plainly apparent how much of a ball the Williams brothers are having performing the Doves back catalogue live again.<\/p>\n \u201cGood to be back in the Apollo, my sacred ground and hopefully yours too,\u201d Jez, dressed head-to-toe in black, his hair swept back, passionately stated. \u201cI can tell this is going to be a rowdy one – let\u2019s hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n Mid-set sibling Andy took temporary leave from his drum kit. In-between occasional sips from his brew, he paid a lovely tribute to the Williams brothers\u2019 mother. Andy telling the crowd: \u201cShe\u2019s 90 in February and she\u2019s more f**king rock n roll than anyone else in the family.\u201d<\/p>\n The most touching moment of the evening came as the band honoured fellow Manchester music royalty Mani. The Stones Roses bassist much-missed following his death in November<\/a>. Ahead of House of Mirrors, played in Mani\u2019s memory, Andy Williams described him as \u2018a beautiful person\u2019.<\/p>\n Towards the main set\u2019s conclusion, the tempo of the evening gained increased pace through the building beat of the unmistakable Pounding, which got those seated above on their feet, at the Apollo, with Black and White Town later seeing the Williams brothers, and their talented supporting ensemble, momentarily leave the stage.<\/p>\n An emphatic Doves encore opened with Snowden, which was swiftly followed by There Goes The Fear before Jez Williams teased \u2018one more?\u2019 ahead of closer Space Face, the Sub Sub track electronically harking back to another time in the lives of the two Williams men and friend Jimi Goodwin.<\/p>\n![\"Elbow's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Guy-Garvey-Doves.jpg\")
Elbow’s Guy Garvey waiting outside the Manchester Apollo before seeing Doves perform<\/p>\n![\"Doves](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Doves-Manc-Apollo-2025-2.jpg\")
Doves released their sixth album in 2025<\/p>\n