Doves tour cancelled over singer's mental health

Doves' Jimi Goodwin

At a glance

  • Frontman Jimi Goodwin said the decision to pull their live dates was "not something I've taken lightly".

  • The indie band said they "have to take each other's welfare as seriously as the music".

  • "Performing live isn't possible for us at this time or in the immediate future".

  • Published

Indie band Doves have said they are "gutted" to have cancelled their forthcoming tour dates due to concerns around frontman Jimi Goodwin's mental health.

In a statement posted on the band's Twitter account on Friday, Goodwin said the decision to cancel the live dates was "not something I've taken lightly".

The Greater Manchester group, known for songs such as There Goes the Fear and Pounding, have enjoyed three number one albums, including last year's The Universal Want.

"We have to take each other's welfare as seriously as the music," the band noted in a statement, adding that "mental health issues simply mean that performing live isn't possible for us at this time or in the immediate future".

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Goodwin explained that he was "unable to commit" to touring right now, thanking his bandmates - including twin brothers Andy and Jez Williams - and fans for their support.

"One should never apologise for having mental health issues but I'd like to say sorry to all that bought tickets," he said.

"I'm truly grateful for the patience, love and understanding of my brothers Andy, Jez and [touring keyboard player Martin] Rebelski."

The 51-year-old singer and bass player said the appreciation they received for their latest chart-topping LP provided "sunshine in these tumultuous times".

After having initially begun life in the early 1990s as dance act Sub Sub, Doves changed to a more alternative rock style, releasing four albums in-between 2000 and 2009, before going on hiatus in 2010.

During the time off, Goodwin released his debut solo album, Odludek, in 2014, while the Williams brothers put out music as Black Rivers.

The band made their live comeback in late 2018, before releasing new songs and the album in 2020.

They have been nominated for the Mercury Prize twice.

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