De Montfort Hall is really spoiling us at the minute, what with alternative rockers Biffy Clyro heading this way next week and recent announcements the that quirky Paloma Faith and legendary Mancunians James will be playing later in the year.

Tonight, indie stars and fellow Mancs Doves take to the stage for the second gig of their tour, to mark the release of their greatest hits collection, The Places Between: The Best of Doves. So expect to hear the trio's choice of tracks from the past 12 years.

"This tour is places we haven't done before or done for ages anyway," drummer Andy Williams tells The Week.

"We prefer places where bands don't play as often. And this is a good opportunity for us to play some of the old songs we haven't played for years.

"It's nice to be able to choose from 12 years of work."

Most fans equate the words greatest hits with splitting up, but Andy is quick to quash the rumours.

"It just felt right to do now," he says. "No-one was ready to go back to the studio to record another album; with the last album (Kingdom of Rust) we were in the studio for about three years, off and on, so there was no desire to go back just yet.

"And touring that last year, we were playing the best we had in our whole career.

"We just feel like we're on form, without wanting to sound arrogant.

"I think people will be going off and doing their own thing for a bit but I think there's definitely a chemistry that binds us musically.

"There's been lots of speculation but there'll definitely be another record one day."

Doves have enjoyed something of a resurgence in the past year or so, playing their biggest headline show in Manchester in December and also headlining the John Peel stage at Glastonbury last year.

"I just feel really proud of the music we've done together and that we can still be in the same room and have a laugh together because that's an achievement after so many years," says Andy. "Unlike a lot of bands we still like each other. And most of the music I still really like; I won't say I like everything we've done but most of it I stand by."

Info

Doves play at De Montfort Hall tonight. Call the box office on 0116 233 3111.