Electric Picnic preview: Manchester city slickers

“It’s been one amazing thing after the other,” agrees guitarist Jez Williams. “Being a Man City fan, the most mindblowing was supporting Oasis at the City of Manchester Stadium. The players were all having their two weeks in Majorca, but we were still thinking, ‘Fuck, this is where Sean Wright-Phillips and Stuart Pearce do their business!’ The only time I’ve been that blown away before was when we played at the official closure of City’s old ground, Maine Road. Meeting Georgi Kinkladze, wow, that was the ultimate!”
How was Liam?
“Great! He has this persona in the media, but every time I’ve met him he’s been well cool. It definitely helps that we support the same football team and grew up listening to the same bands.”
There was more reaching out to Row Z in June when Doves opened for U2 at Twickenham.
“We didn’t get to meet them, but their crew were great and we managed not to die of nerves beforehand. There are two sorts of gigs that give me twinges – very small ones and very big ones. U2 with 80,000 people was definitely in the latter category!”
Although Electric Picnic will find them in full-on rock mode, don’t be surprised if Doves turn up one day at your local ceilidh.
“Jimi (Goodwin, Doves singer) is a massive Planxty fan and used to drive us bonkers playing them all the time on the tour bus, but he’s calmed down now,” Williams smiles. “That said, I wouldn’t rule out us turning up at rehearsal one day and him saying, ‘Lads, meet our new fiddle and bodhran players!’”