On October 2, rockers Falling Doves were joined onstage at the Grand Central in Manchester, England by keyboardist / percussionist Zia McCabe of The Dandy Warhols, who jumped on stage to play percussion on the last two songs of the show, “Lie To Me” and “Ready To Go.”
McCabe was to DJ at the venue following a Dandy Warhols gig across the street at the O2 Ritz “and she just jumped on stage to play!,” said Falling Doves frontman / guitarist, Christopher Leyva. “She asked for a tambourine, and we didn’t have one, so we took the floor tom and a ride cymbal for her from our drummer.
It was crazy because she literally finished playing across the street and she brought an incredible amount of fans with her as she had announced that she was coming over to our venue immediately after the show. The audience was full of people wearing Dandy Warhol shirts.” The end result of the concert collaboration was newly minted Falling Doves fans. “Some of the crowd that came with her wished we would have opened the show across the street,” Leyva said good naturedly. “They loved us.”
Also on this current British tour, on October 10, Falling Doves celebrated the 10th Anniversary of their first appearance at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club, presenting a guitar to Jon Keats, a Director of Cavern City Tours, responsible for all music / events at the venue.
“10 years ago, on October 10th, we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jon Keats and Bill Heckle at LAX, a moment that would set the stage for an incredible journey ahead,” said Leyva. “It was a chance encounter that led us to the iconic Cavern Club in Liverpool, where we would create unforgettable memories and lasting friendships. The Cavern Club gave us the keys to the world. To mark this special milestone and express our gratitude, we presented Jon Keats with a beautiful guitar made by Vintage Guitars. The entire band came together to create this token of appreciation, symbolizing the bond we share and the music that unites us.”
On October 28, Christopher Leyva performs a solo set at King Fisher (8 p.m. / 2469 Broadway, San Diego). “It’s a benefit Gala for the Japan – Support Sake Relief Fund. I will be doing an acoustic set and a signing Falling Doves latest album and posters for attendees and donors,” he said. You can find more info on this at www.Kibouevents.com
Falling Doves will be on tour through the end of 2024, with dates in Hawaii and Australia ahead. The band then moves into the studio to record a follow up to their 2023 album, City of Dreams. Meanwhile, the group recently released an “official bootleg,” Live at Surfer’s – Sake Tour, featuring songs recorded during their 16-date tour of Japan earlier this year. According to Leyva, he plans on 2025 being even busier, but he hopes to be back in San Diego as much as possible, both for gigs and to recharge his batteries. “I’m on the road nine months a year,” he said. “I sleep in a lot of different places, but Ocean Beach will always be home.”
Photos by Emmy Lee Young
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