Doves Cancel Aussie Shows

Doves have cancelled their forthcoming Australian shows, including their best of gigs and an appearance at Playground Weekender.

“We regret to announce that due to circumstances beyond our control we have been forced to cancel our forthcoming tour of Australia,” the band said in a statement. “This is a decision we have not taken lightly and our sincere apologies go out to anyone who has bought tickets for the shows and for any inconvenience caused.”

Apparently there was a personal matter within the band that needed attending to, but we don’t know any specifics.

Refunds for the headline shows will be available from the point of purchase, but anyone who bought Playground Weekender tickets with the hopes of seeing them will have to suck it up I’m afraid. At least there’s enough notice for organisers to find a replacement headliner, but that’s bound to be cold comfort for the fans.

Image source: Noel Markham @ Wikimedia Commons

Doves Do Greatest Hits Down Under

That old saying that time flies when you’re having fun seems to hold true for Doves. It’s hard to believe that this British band burst onto the scene 12 years ago.

They’ll remind us of just what they’ve achieved when they bring their The Best of the Doves tour to Oz next February. The run of dates, which includes an appearance at the Playground Weekender Festival, is timed to coincide with the release of The Places Between: The Best of Doves. Personally I’m not sure whether four studio albums is really enough to draw from when compiling a greatest hits record, but that seems to be the way bands do things these days.

At any rate, these shows should be something pretty special with hit singles and band favourites all making their way into the sets. Tickets for the shows go on sale next Monday, November 29.

15 February 2011 – Hi-Fi Bar, Brisbane
17 February 2011 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
18 February 2011 – Playground Weekender Festival, Wisemans Ferry
19 February 2011 – The Forum, Melbourne
21 February 2011 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Image used with permission from Light Parade

Doves and Kool & The Gang Announced for Playground Weekender

Doves and Kool & The Gang will head up the 2011 line up for Playground Weekender.

Next year’s festival has a really interesting bill, with international acts De La Soul, Kate Nash, Caribou, and Roy Ayers joining local acts Hungry Kids of Hungary, Danimals, and Strange Talk. More bands will be added to the line-up in the coming months.

It’s all happening in a picturesque spot near the Hawkesbury River from February 17 to 20. Tickets go on sale on October 18, and are strictly limited to keep things feeling chill. I’d get in early if I were you, as there are big savings on the three and four-day first release tickets.

Image used with permission from Light Parade

Doves Fly Into Australia

Blink and you might just miss them, but the Doves are returning to Australia for a couple of dates!

The British rockers are visiting for the first time in four years to support their new album Kingdom of Rust. Their last local tour sold out, and the tiny venues this time around mean they’re likely to repeat the feet.

Rumour has it that the band will also appear at Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass festival, so if you’ve got tickets to that you may be in for a treat. Otherwise, grab your tickets for these confirmed shows from the usual outlets on June 4.

28 July 2009 – Billboards, Melbourne
30 July 2009 – The Metro, Sydney
1 August – Capitol, Perth

Image source: Newscom