The band posted to their social media accounts saying, “Something to look forward to,” as the UK enters its second lockdown in response the Covid-19 pandemic. The first date will be 19th June at The Piece Hall in Halifax, with supporting acts Nadine Shah, Pip Boom, and Sfven. Following is an outdoor show in Delamere Forest, Cheshire – special guests are yet to be announced. Tickets are on sale now for both the new dates, the last few for the full tour, and the release shows.

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Something to look forward to! https://smarturl.it/DOVESPIECEHALL21

A post shared by Doves (@dovesofficial) on Nov 2, 2020 at 2:02am PST

The tour is in support of Doves’ new album ‘The Universal Want’, which was released on 11th September to high praise. Five singles were shared to promote the fifth LP from the band: ‘Remnants I’, ‘Remnants II’, ‘Carousels’, ‘Prisoners’, and ‘Cathedrals of the Mind’. This will be their first major tour in over ten years. Prior to the tour, there will be a series album release shows, which have had to be planned later than usual given the current situation. As stripped back live shows, they will be short sets of music performed to a select audience in Dundee, Leeds, and Kingston.

 

 

 

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We’re looking forward to playing short, stripped back shows next February in Dundee at Fat Sam’s (Feb 9) Leeds, The Wardrobe (Feb 10) and Kingston upon Thames, Pryzm (Feb 11). Last remaining tickets are on sale now at https://Doves.lnk.to/TicketBundle #doves #dovesband #theuniversalwant

 

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The full tour dates are below, including the two new dates.

09/02/2021 – Fat Sam’s – Dundee (8pm)
10/02 – The Wardrobe – Leeds (7pm and 9pm)
11/02 – PRYZM – Kingston (6pm and 9pm)
21/03 – University Great Hall – Cardiff
22/03 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
23/03 – UEA – Norwich
25/03 – Brighton Dome – Brighton
26/03 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
27/03 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
29/03 – O2 Academy – Bristol
30/03 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
01/04 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
02/04 – Rock City – Nottingham
03/04 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
05/04 – Eventim Olympia – Liverpool
06/04 – Olympia Theatre – Dublin
07/04 – Limelight – Belfast
09/04 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
10/04 – Barrowland – Glasgow
11/04 – Barrowland – Glasgow
19/06 – Piece Hall – Halifax
20/06 – Delamere Forest – Cheshire

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We’re teasing a new track ‘Forest House’ the closing track on ‘The Universal Want’ – but to hear it first, you’re gonna have to play it first! To help you, we’ve had the music translated into scores for piano, bass, rhythm and lead guitars. You can either stick religiously to these scores or use them as a template to create anything you like, using whatever instruments are at hand. If you’re a little unsure of any of the chords, a quick search of YouTube will usually bring up a bloke with a beard and jumper showing you where to put your fingers. Show us your interpretations using #dovesleak We’ll add Jimi’s vocal to our favourite interpretation. We’ll also send the winner a signed box set. Entries accepted through Sept 10th. Have fun with it https://Doves.lnk.to/ForestHouseSheetIN (the link is also in our latest story). #doves #dovesband #theuniversalwant #dovesleak

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Doves’ favourite version will have bassist Jimi Goodwin’s vocals recorded over the top, so the stakes are high! For those who want to get involved, it’s simple: download the sheet music, which can be found at here. Interpret it however you wish (you might need to learn an instrument first!). Post on social media with the hashtag #dovesleak. As one fan in the Instagram comments puts it: “Step 1. download music. Step 2. Learn to read music. Step 3. Profit.” Alongside the chance to be recorded, Doves will send a signed box set to the winning entry.

There are no limits to creativity here; Doves’ advice is to “try and get close to what lies in store on the album or create something wildly and brilliantly off-the-mark.” First and foremost, you should have some fun with the project. Regarding this innovative way of dropping a new song, the band say, “it’s been eleven years since our last album, and we all know how hard the last few month have been, so let’s have a little fun where we can.”

For a little less effort, you can also hear ‘Prisoners’, the latest single from The Universal Want. It premiered on July 9, and you can watch the video here.

Although ‘Forest House’ remains a mystery for the time being, frontman Goodwin spoke about ‘Prisoners’ candidly with NME, saying, “‘Prisoners’ is about that yearning that Doves have always had … Just over the horizon, there’s always something better. Sometimes we get trapped by our own behaviour. You can be a prisoner of your own thoughts. They can take you to some pretty dark and unexpected places if you let them. It’s a song about checking yourself. It’s not to do with lockdown or the pandemic, it’s just the day to day wellbeing.”

‘Prisoners’ joins earlier release ‘Carousels’ as the two songs that Doves fans don’t have to learn themselves to get a taste of The Universal Want. This will be Doves’ fifth album, and it’s long-awaited; their first in eleven years. The wait is nearly over though, especially for those who can read sheet music.

Last month, Doves confirmed a 2021 UK tour to follow The Universal Want. The tour dates are listed below.

21/03/2021 – University Great Hall – Cardiff
22/03 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
23/03 – UEA – Norwich
25/03 – Brighton Dome – Brighton
26/03 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
29/03 – O2 Academy – Bristol
30/03 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
01/04 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
02/04 – Rock City – Nottingham
03/04 – O2 Academy – Newcastle
05/04 – Eventim Olympia – Liverpool
09/04 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
10/04 – Barrowland – Glasgow