Manchester band Doves have told BBC 6Music that they fear for the future of today’s upcoming bands as the costs of touring and promotion continues to rise.
Speaking to the digital station, who’s own future is in doubt, guitarist Jez Williams said: “It’s really difficult for bands to go out on the road and tour. It costs a lot of money to take a band on the road to do ten UK dates. It’s really tricky for new bands to get tour support because there’s no such thing as tour support anymore.”
“So people haven’t got that backup anymore. And that’s a direct link to people downloading albums without paying for it. It’s suffered because of that. I really feel for up and coming bands. But I guess the only thing that hasn’t changed is that if you’ve got the hunger and the determination then you’ll do it.”
With the three-piece’s new Best Of collection ‘The Places Between‘ released this week, Williams has also recently had to deny rumours that the band were on the verge of splitting, telling The Observer newspaper that he was misquoted in an interview: “It is our last tour for a bit. I never said forever,” he said, while brother and bandmate Andy Williams added: “I was like, ‘The band are splitting up!? No-one told me’.”
The new Best Of release contains rarities and b-sides from the band’s career, as well as the new single ‘Andalucia‘.