The band is composed of singer and bassist Jimi Goodwin and twin brothers, guitarist Jez and drummer Andy Williams.

During this time, Goodwin released his first solo album, Odludek (2014), while the Williams brothers regrouped as Black Rivers.

In December 2018, Doves announced they were ending their hiatus by performing for the Teenage Cancer Trust at London's Royal Albert Hall on 29 March 2019.

[17] On the band's change of direction, Jez Williams said: "We were faced with a really black and white decision: throw the towel in or carry on.

21 on the Singles Chart[20] and was used in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics With Glowing Hearts/Des Plus Brillants Exploits advertisement campaign and in pre-event intros.

Doves recorded Some Cities, their third studio album, away from urban influences, and in cottages tucked away in the countryside of Snowdonia, Darlington, and around Loch Ness.

Prior to the new release, Doves offered a free download of the album's lead track "Jetstream" on their website.

On 27 January 2009 the band announced a week's worth of tour dates from 12–19 March, in which new album tracks made their debuts.

[3] An interview with the band regarding their history and Jodrell Bank performance was posted on The Guardian's website on 4 April 2010.

[30] In summer 2014, their project was announced under the name Black Rivers, who began playing live shows with new material,[31] and in February 2015 released a self-titled album.

[32][33][34][35] At the end of 2018 the band members announced a series of gigs for 2019 and a tentative plan to explore new music together.

As the series neared conclusion, Doves posted on Facebook that the 31 August 2019 and 6 September 2019 shows would be the last two concerts until they completed their new album.

[11][12] In October 2021, the band cancelled their upcoming tour due to Goodwin's mental health, making a statement that "performing live isn't possible for us at this time or in the immediate future".

On 8 November, three "intimate" shows were announced for later in the month, with Goodwin not participating due to his mental health; the Williams brothers will share vocals alongside an expanded touring band.