Mark Heelis enjoys eclectic performances by the former Doves band member and his opening act

Judging by tonight’s mediocre attendance you would be forgiven for asking the question ‘Jimi who?’ Clearly Oxford’s Cowley Road students were unaware that Jimi Goodwin has stepped out of the shadow of seminal Manchester band Doves and flown solo. Four years after Doves announced their permanent hiatus, and having opened for Elbow on their recent arena dates, tonight’s set is celebratory, bold and bright, with material from his debut album as well as a few Doves favourites.

Opening act Jake Evans is making the first of two appearances tonight (also taking up the lead guitarist role with Goodwin).

Clearly Evans takes heavy inspiration from Doves, even admitting he’s got all of Goodwin’s albums. Playing with a broken finger, he kicks off his set with the soaring and epic Rise.

Last One Standing is straight out of the Embrace songbook, Glorious wouldn’t be out of place on a U2 stadium set list and recent single Easy on my Soul’s layered jangly guitars top off a promising set.

Drawing on his experience from his house band Sub Sub and soaring sounds of Doves, Goodwin has found a new edge to his material.

Tonight’s set compromises of most of debut album Odludek, an eclectic ensemble of sounds and styles. This diversity is demonstrated by the dance grooves of Live like a River, stomp of single Oh! Whisky, and the kaleidoscopic sounds of Man Vs Dingo. Elsewhere there are piano-tinged melodies of The Ghost of the Empties, the subtle but sublime Panic Tree and the solemn and swaying Keep my Soul in Song.

On stage Goodwin is as endearing as ever. Engaging and chatting with the crowd showing signs of a new found freedom, he is clearly enjoying himself.

“This is an old one,” Goodwin announces before delighting the crowd to the joyous Doves’ Snowden and the evening is lit up when he leads an impromptu crowd-led jam after a rendition of Doves’ Last Broadcast.

The bounding rock of Lonely at the Drop sets up the finale, the emphatic and dreamy Doves song Sulphur Man. The four years seem to vanish instantly, it’s great to have him back.