Jez Williams - Life Of Me And You Jez Williams

Doves’ guitarist and vocalist, Jez Williams, has announced his debut, ten track album, Life Of Me And You, whilst simultaneously plotting in three solo live dates in his home city of Manchester. Williams’ album and live news is supercharged by the release of his heavy riffed protest at the pressures of modern life, Hollow Man, the first single to be lifted from the project he describes as a ‘book of my life’.

Returning to the stage of the O2 Ritz for the first time since Doves played the historic venue 22 years ago, Williams joins Elbow on their special, intimate and sold out Asleep In The Back live dates on Fri 20, Sat 21 and Sun 22 November 2026. Comprised of three full band solo performances, the sets will focus entirely on the new collection of songs set for release early next year.

Enjoying four decades in music as a writer, performer and producer, Life Of Me And You follows Williams’ widely celebrated work with Doves, including three No.1 albums, as well as the cult 90’s dance trio Sub Sub and Black Rivers, the band he formed in 2012 with his twin brother and bandmate, Andy Williams. Hinting at his solo announcement last month, Williams quietly released instrumental versions of Magnificent Morning and Walk Alone on limited, hand-stamped 7” vinyl, leading to a complete independent record shop sell out within 24 hours and impressions on the Official Vinyl Singles (No.3), Physical Singles Sales (No.7) and UK Official Single Sales Charts (No.54).

In choosing Hollow Man as the first cut of music to be more widely shared, Williams arrives with purpose to introduce a deeply introspective and musically adventurous album influenced by Lou Reed, UFOs, sassy sixties pop stars, Balearic chill and ‘slow disco’.

“Without resorting to clichés, ‘Hollow Man’ is about our modern life,” he explains. “It can just so easily take the soul out of you. Too much information, too many opinions, too much change coming from all angles. Tsunamis of information coming at you. It can be overwhelming. It makes you less present and makes you more in your head. I thought to put all of that to a sort of AC/DC-style riff, breaking out into a wider chorus. It all just came out in one go.”