Doves Take Flight and Soar in Los Angeles
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| >> Doves' Jimi Goodwin feels it. >> |
>> Wednesday, June 15, 2005 >> It has
become a fixture at LA concerts and a testament to the sad nature of Los Angeles radio; it
is the ubiquitous van from one of LA’s “modern” rock radio stations.
It made its grand appearance again last night at the Doves show at the Wiltern LG, even
though anyone who has given this radio station a listen knows they’re too busy
playing at least one Red Hot Chili Peppers song every half hour to bother to add Doves to
their rotation. The van’s inhabitants make a point of trying to look more
disinterested than anyone else, and they hoard their loot - the stickers and trinkets they
occasionally give out – like gold, as though they are breadcrumbs and the mass of
fans is a throng of starving peasants.
Luckily, Doves fans are far more cerebral than what the van geeks
are used to. Stickers did not seem to impress them, and they see little point in
bothering to stop and pay attention to a radio station that simply doesn’t serve
them. It should be completely clear that Doves have a fan base that needs to be
given some airtime. This show was nearly, if not completely, sold out, and Doves
have regularly had massive crowds to their area shows.
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| >> Goodwin leads Doves at LA's Wiltern LG. >> |
This is not without good reason: Doves are, simply put, one of
the best bands, recorded or live, that you’ll find. Their music is captivating,
immediate and enthralling in ways that most bands reach for, but never quite achieve.
With little fanfare and even less posturing, Doves weave a web of musical
connection to their fans – and between their fans, for that matter – that is
felt all too infrequently.
Last night, Doves – singer Jimi Goodwin and twins Andy and Jez
Williams – were in what would normally be described as rare form, but for Doves it is
more the standard. With a minimum of effort, the trio, with a guest keyboardist in
tow, continually brought the sell-out crowd to new heights, with everyone we could see
grooving to music, moving to the music in their own space.
Goodwin said little, but had a lasting connection with the fans,
which seemed to feed not only off the quality of the music, but also on his evident
passion. We found ourselves repeatedly getting lost in the moment, feeling the music
as much as listening to it.
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| >> Goodwin's passion carried the night. >> |
Doves did a very effective job of mixing tracks from their
past records in with songs from their latest release, Some Cities. Pulling
a number of tracks from their superb breakthrough, The Last Broadcast, and their
wonderful debut Lost Souls, the entire set list was well synched, at no time
feeling disjoined, as is often occurs with tracks from different records.
With little more than effective lighting and occasional video
montages playing on three video screens behind them, the music was the thing –
“Caught By The River,” from The Last Broadcast, had many in the crowd
singing along, as did “Snowden,” from their latest release. Likewise,
“Pounding” and a modified version of “Satellites” brought the crowd to
a level not often seen.
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| >> Goodwin: rock star or parolee? >> |
More than making up for their last-minute Coachella
cancellation, the band displayed their ability as musicians, with Andy Williams’
furious drumming proving to be the backbone of the group’s live show as Goodwin and
Jez Williams traded riffs and, occasionally, vocals.
Aided by the Wiltern LG’s amazing sound quality, the tracks
took on a warmth that can’t be duplicated on disc, with the perceived intimacy and
emotion quickly eclipsing anything Coachella might have been. Goodwin, dressed more
like an inmate than a rock singer, brought the fans along on a ride that most in
attendance won’t soon forget.
The fans knew what they were getting. Local radio does little more than send a van to their shows, but Doves have moved far beyond the need for chart positions. Often compared to Oasis (the brother thing?), Coldplay and Snow Patrol, Doves may not have enjoyed the recognition that the other bands have, but based on the turnout, they need not give away stickers and key chains to get people to listen in.
