Aahh, it's like nineties indie never went away.  But then, it didn't really, did it?  Aging ravers-turned-alternatives the Doves put on a decent display of musicianship this evening, with a mixture of tunes from their latest album 'The Last Broadcast' (good album name, by the way) and their 2000 debut 'Lost Souls'.  All tracks are catchy and well-performed - after the initial, somewhat muffled vocal mix was corrected with a bit of on-the-fly equalization by the sound engineer.  The Pyramids was sold out tonight, and the venue really does need to rethink its bar situation.  Two cramped bars with pumps off more than on, coupled with poorly trained bar staff result in a wait of over forty minutes for a beverage - hint: when sold out, offer overtime to your staff...

The band play well and are personable onstage, as well as indulging in some role-swapping during the set, which is always enjoyable to see at gigs.  It dawns during the performance, however, that something is out of place a little.  Not the artists themselves, but the whole concept.  Notice the amount of thirtysomethings in the audience.  Notice how the crowd simply stand and stare as if watching a Celine Dion concert.  Could it be, perchance, that this sort of indie has finally had its day?  Could it be that the Doves, although displaying admirable technical prowess, have missed the boat - just as they did with their former moniker Sub Sub ten years ago?  Rave and dance are, on the whole, cultures to look back and reminisce on now.  The Doves have metamorphosed into a text book "alternative" band at a time when bands such as Travis and Coldplay are featured daily on the playlists of easy listening local radio stations (or "Homogeneous FM" as my brother so succinctly puts it).  The songs are good, but where's the urgency?  Where's that intense originality or innovation within the tunes, screaming at me to "GO TO HMV TOMORROW AND BUY THIS"?  Answer: there isn't.  Good, yes.  Essential, no.  Basically, take Radiohead's 'The Bends', add to that an equal share of Elbow (with particular attention to the acoustic strumming and wistful piano) and BANG - instant Jo Whiley approval.  But how old is she now?  How watered down is her show now?  Isn't she a parent now too?

Indie is now a genre, not an attitude.  "Alternative" is mainstream.  Major labels now release "indie" music.  The Doves are a good band.  Nothing more.  Like Blur before them, they follow trends rather than set them - but Blur adapted quick enough to get away with it.  The Doves had better hold on to those nineties drum machines and sequencers, because a couple of years from now if they still want to remain current they'll have to learn how to program garage beats if they still want to keep up with the real alternative.

The minutes of our previous meeting: It's. All. Been. Done. Before.

Review: Andrew Morrison