It was a dreamy but damp weekend for Dovegate who cemented their place within the growing local music scene.
The three-piece band from Liverpool had their biggest gigs to date as they released their debut single, played a sold-out Kazimier Stockroom and supported Cast.
The weekend at 12am on Friday when their debut track, If We Run Out Of Love, was released to the public and the band couldn’t be happier with the response.
That night they played at a sold-out Kaz Stockroom willing crowd who knew the words to their only recently released single.
Dovegate’s frontman, Jon Cregeen, told Mersey Music: “The atmosphere was something we have never experienced in other gigs.
“It was a great feeling to know everyone was there supporting us.”
After Friday’s success, the weather nearly put a dampener on their Sunday set preceding Cast, a band whom Dovegate’s members idolise.
With rain beating down on Bootle, they were evacuated from the venue but were later still able to play a 20-minute set thanks to a fellow local groups, The Sway and East Exchange, who also shortened their set.
For Jon, it was a dream scenario to support some of his biggest influencers.
“Cast have had a huge influence on me personally and in my songwriting,” said the singer.
“They are up there in my top three bands and I’m sure they will always be a huge influence to the band and me.
“We were lucky enough to meet all of Cast after they played their set.
“They were all so welcoming and down to earth and even took time to ask about us as a band, which was surreal.
“The highlight was saying bye to John; Francis said thanks and ‘hopefully we’ll meet again.’
“John instantly started singing the Vera Lynn classic ‘We’ll Meet Again.’
“That’s something I’ll never forget as, in the blink of an eye, I went from being a fan to supporting them, then to having a laugh and singing backstage!”
Dovegate were playing at Bootle Canalside, which also hosted a stellar lineup on Saturday as Red Rum Club’s gig went ahead in good spirits despite torrential rain.
On the Merseyside music scene, Jon said: “There’s definitely a growing buzz.
“I definitely think there is going to be an increase in gigs, such as the Bootle shows and the waterfront, due to the level of growing talent Liverpool has.
“Things are going to keep getting bigger and better and hopefully, we can continue to grow and be a part of it all.”
While Dovegate continue to grow, they are still thinking short-term.
A music video for If We Run Out Of Love is due to be released soon and they already have gigs in the pipeline.
( Featured image: @johnsyshots )
You can listen to If We Run Out Of Love here and follow Dovegate here.
Mersey Music 