I was at the gig in the front row and despite being crushed by the rest of the crown I loved it !!!!! It has to be said that it was the best night I have ever had EVER !!!!! Editors have to be the best live band in the world !!! Amazing night thanks to all !!!!

Rob

Well the halfway point has been reached. Three shows down, three to go. And keeping with the number three this will have been sent in via a third different email address as well lol.

I am typing this up on my Macbook, hurtling along some M road out of Blackpool bound for Birmingham, which is around about 120miles, via the M6.  Don’t worry I am not driving. I am in the passenger seat. My wife is driving and currently singing along to We Are Scientists that is on the radio. Don’t envy her at all as it is foul weather. As it always seems to be when we drive along the particular stretch of motorway.

As for the gig last night, well what can I say? It was the worst gig I have ever been to. Crap sound, crap crowd, crap venue and awful performances all round.

Course I am only joking and in fact it was the opposite of everything above. But I just thought I would, if briefly, try and type something different for a change lol.

Oh yesh……. Keane are on the radio… which bag did I pack the razor blades in???

Back to the gig, well, simply put, it was fabby. No surprises last night and was the same set list as Glasgow the night before. Which means of course that Fingers closed the main set and Smokers closed the show. And Lullaby was in the set after Spiders. Really think the switch in the closers is a stroke of genius. And wouldn’t be surprised if it stays like that for the remainder of the tour. Once you get over the shock of Fingers not closing the show you get to realise how immense Smokers is as a closer. It really does bring the curtain down with an almighty bang and incredible high. Especially on the back of Rats and Fading. Ahhhh Fading…. so the best. Never drop it guys… or you will be hunted down, tied to a chair and forced to watch Oprah till you give in and put it back in to the set. You have been warned. 

Big thanks and hugs to the wonderful Peter and Kerry who we had the pleasure to spend whole evening with. Great laugh, great company and of course fabby movers and shakers lol. Needless to say when Fading kicked off, there was the four of us jumping up and down as if our legs had suddenly been replaced by pogo sticks while all around us stood, motionless, as if the sight of us had them in such awe and admiration that their minds couldn’t cope with anything else and as a result had frozen them to the spot.

Anyway, my lap it getting cooked as well as my battery is getting low so best save this while I still can. Only 67 miles to go.

Gary

Well it is the morning after the bands second gig at the Carling Academy in Glasgow and keeping things in pairs this is now my second ever blog. Hmmmm that is a crap word.... another nonsense cyber word that only exists thanks to the internet. To me it sounds more like a word a plumber would use to describe a blocked toilet. But anyways, I am rambling.....

Last night’s gig then...... As great as night one was… night two was better.

Think there was several reasons for this. Firstly, the crowd seemed more up for it than the previous night.  Definitely a lot more bouncy and vocal. Then band seemed a little more relaxed and I think someone must have spike Tom’s pre-show drink as he was bouncy all over the stage like a madman and channelling lots of energy and aggression on his guitar as though it was fighting to get out of his clutches and he hand to us every fibre in his body just to keep it under control. And of course the piano got smacked on more than one occasion. Life on the road is tough at times, especially if you are an Editors instrument lol.

Every time I see Tom climb on to his piano there is a part of me that worries he might take a bad fall when he jumps downs. But its antics like that, that you got to love the guy for (in a purely bloke type manner of course).  Near the end of Lullaby, yep it got played again last night, he leapt on the right of Ed’s riser like some overly hungry animal pouncing on its first feed in days. There just seems to be no end to the agility and flexibility of our Mr Smith.

Big shock on the night though...... and I hope all you regulars are sitting down for this one..... Fingers did not close the show!!!!!!

It is ok I will wait while you pick yourself of the floor..............................

Ok now that your seated again, I shall carry one. Yep it didn’t close the show out. Instead it closed the main set out.  And I must say it did a grand job of it as well. Though at the time on hearing it start up I was like.. eh????? Did I pass out and not know about it and miss part of the show???? Surely they can’t be wrapping things up this early?  But there it was, and it brought the roof down and as the boys walked off they left the crowd screaming for more as if that if they didn’t get more the world would come to an end. Ok slight exaggeration there but it was too far from the truth lol

Thankfully though they did come pack and the three song encore just tore the rest of the place apart. So to put you out of your misery, Smokers closed the show. And done so in a very powerful and glorious manner. Strobelighttasic J.

So after scrambling over the rubble of the now destroyed academy, I got to my car and blasted back along the M8 a happy chappy. It also gave me time to reflect on the first two nights.

One of the main things I ponder was Lullaby. Yes it is great live and a pleasure to hear but does it really belong in the set???? I must confess that I was so hoping to hear Open Your Arms (which I miss so dearly) or (and I will remain forever hopeful on this) something rare like Colours (please guys play it at least once in the next four shows). Especially being the second night of a two night run at one venue. But we didn’t. The big change on the second night was the running order. On night one Lullaby was played in the encore but last night it followed Spiders (which is such a gorgeous track live and always one of the highlights for me). Must be the whole spider/man thing. And yes it was better suited there than in the encore. But still, part of me wants them to play one of their own tracks and not a cover, all be it a great one. And yet again there were people around me asking what this was and that they didn’t recognise it. Some people tsk tsk lol. So going back to my original ponder....  every now and then but not too often.

Oh and other thing, and it makes me laugh every time.... Munich..... (Tom blew the crowd a kiss for the reaction to the wee solo bit at the start of it btw).... I just find it funny when the bulk of the crowd carry on to sing ‘People are such fragile things..’ etc after the first verse even though it doesn’t come after it lol. But there you go....

So anyways, I best get packed for the road trip. Blackpool beckons.......

Gary

So how are you supposed to start a ‘blog’? …. I suppose that is as good a way as any.

Last night was the start of 6 gigs in 7 days for me. Which will take me to places I have never been before, such as Blackpool and Doncaster. But last night was the familiar old stomping ground of Glasgow (still hate the drive through there from Edinburgh). And more specifically, The Carling Academy, for the bands first, of two, sold out nights at this venue.

And what a great night it turned out to be.

Support on the night was provided by Make Model and Broken Records, who were on first.  As they started, Russell slinked out on to the floor to watch, pint tumbler in hand and proceeded to take in the show as your average punter. Not once did anyone go up to him and grab an autograph or the likes. So his invisibility cloak must be working well lol. He slinked off back stage again as they ended, leaving behind on the floor, the now empty tumbler. He (now with fresh pint tumbler) and Chris shimmied back out unnoticed for Make Model, with only Chris staying for the full set. No idea if they do this at other venues but they did this last time at they played here and even Tom and Edith came out for the then support Ra Ra Riot. 

Thankfully this time there was no sound problems prior to the show starting. The BSD stayed away so the sound techs didn’t have to run about like looneys to fit a new mixing desk.

A big cheer greeted the band as they took the stage and with low moody lighting, they eased effortlessly in to Camera. During which and adding yet another string to his bow, the ever versatile Mr Leetch, displayed his ability to bang a drum like the best of them. Then they proceeded to slay the crowd as they ripped through the set with great confidence and enthusiasm. It never ceases to amaze me the epicness (prolly not a real word) of their sound. It just swamps both the crowd and the venue. It blasts in to every atom of everything it reaches and makes them buzz. Think, the old Maxwell advert with the guy in the chair and you will get what I am trying to get at. While there are a lot of great live bands around, there are very few that have that intangible extra that make them an exceptional band live. Thankfully Editors are one of these few and just seem to get better and better.

All Sparks in the set signalled the big switch on for the projector that had been ominously sitting above the sound desk. And from the on was used to nice effect for the remainder of the songs.

There were two surprises on the night. The first was Push Your Head Towards The Air. Now the surprise was not that it was played. Nor that the big show off Mr Leetch played piano through it. No, it was after it finished came the surprise.  The crowd went ape for it. Arms up all the way to the back. Now, I am not saying I didn’t expect a great reaction but it was more the level of it. It was more like the reaction to a Munich or Smokers, which on the night did get big reaction but I would say PYHTTA got a bigger one.

The second surprise came in the encore. They started of with The Racing Rats and then fully expecting You Are Fading to kick in, Tom throws a curve ball and says they are going to play a tune they haven’t played before live. And sure enough, Lullaby kicks in. And a great rendition of this Cure tune it was as well. I am sure Mr R Smith would have approved. 

As always Fingers brought the night to a thumping close.

So what will night 2 bring???......  I can’t wait to find out.

Gary

What an incredible night!  8 10 pm and the ‘doors’ finally opened!  Both the excitement and the anticipation of a night to remember were tangible in and around the vicinity of Mandela Hall.  From my excellent viewpoint of ‘centre stage upper level’, I could feel, see and hear the excitement rising – ‘It’s just like a Liverpool football match’ exclaimed the highly excited young student behind me as members of the audience began to chant in anticipation of the pleasures awaiting them.  Finally, Mobius Band arrived on stage … their six ‘performances’ ensured that the audience was suitably ‘warmed’ ready for the highly awaited and longed for Editors!  Was Russell really watching Mobius perform from amidst the thronging crowd … or was it his twin brother???

Finally E D I T OR S arrived to huge applause and a little liquid refreshment in the form of a few beers thrown at the stage – great dodging Chris!  The sounds of the longed for Camera (Forum members knew that this was imminent) filled the air with an eerie expectation and the audience went wild with a mixture of excitement and pure unadulterated joy. 

Our lads rose to the challenge of performing on a small stage and seemed to be aware of and responded enthusiastically to the amusing and fanatical antics of a few members of their audience. 

Highlights of the evening included magnificent renditions of Bones, Munich and Smokers … Smokers was so incredible that I could not prevent the tears from streaming down my cheeks!

E D I T OR S – one huge request – please, please continue to ‘perform’ in small venues like Mandela Hall because we love and need to be close enough to see the sweat dripping from your faces!!!!

Mary F

xx

After somehow being persuaded to turn up at 4pm the boardies and I braced the freezing cold to get the coveted spot in the front row.  Lots of Dutch food made the time fly by and without doubt the gig was worth the wait.

After a brisk three hours the warmth of the Olympia Theatre greeted us with open arms. The large crowd of early birds were then treated to what seemed to be the entire back catalogue of The National. Impatience ensued, but before we knew it, Mobius Band had come on for their first gig outside of America. Cheap Irish digs aside, the crowd responded well to a good if not slightly over the top performance.

Shortly after nine, the lights dimmed, the crowd went crazy and Tom, Ed, Chris & Russell strode onto the stage and launched into ‘Camera’, which was a pleasant surprise as it had been a while since I’d seen it live. After this relatively gentle start Editors roared into three previous singles ‘An End Has A Start’, ‘Blood’ and ‘Bullets’.

By the time they reached ‘The Weight Of The World’ the band were in their full stride. The crowd, me included, were absolutely loving it. ‘Escape The Nest’ and one of my live favourites ‘Lights’ followed. Tom was screaming like a man possessed, his numerous altercations with the piano were crazy but stunning at the same time. These on stage antics continued with ‘When Anger Shows’.

We got a bit of respite with ‘Spiders’ before ‘All Sparks’ and my personal favourite ‘Munich’ were played. A mass sing along followed which as always, was really special.

The next song was probably the highlights of the night. We were treated to the first live performance of the new single ‘Push Your Head Towards The Air’ in Europe. It was just Tom on the acoustic guitar and Russell on the piano. It was very nicely done, but the addition of Chris on the electric guitar could elevate this song to a whole new level.

Chris and Ed rejoined the stage for another of my favourites ‘Bones’. This performance brought back memories of Bones’s original splendour to when we first heard it two years ago.

‘Smokers’ was the final song to be played before the encore and it finally got the energetic crowd dancing. My favourite song from ‘An End Has A Start’ ‘The Racing Rats’ was next. It was absolutely majestic live. The lighting effects were particularly noticeable in this song with a massive light blinding the crowd on the words ‘Shade my eyes from the sun’. Brilliant.

Usual fan favourite ‘You Are Fading’ followed as intensely as ever before the action packed ‘Fingers In The Factories’ raised the Olympia roof. We were left craving for more but we all knew we had seen a special performance. After the usual melee for setlists we then left to see where the Dublin night would take us…

- Eoin Melvin

I am trying to think of the right word or words to describe last nights gig hopefully i will have one before I stop writing, for those of you who don’t know the Olympia is a small theatre in Dublin city holds about 2000, but is by far the best live venue in Dublin you are very close to the stage no matter where you stand and if a band like Editors play you know you have been to a gig, I don’t think I have been to a gig like that in 2-3 years and I go to plenty and again it amazes me that they play in such a small venue but if I had it my way I would never change it.

From the moment they walked on the atmosphere was electric Tom’s presence is something to experience and probably why every one at the gig came out with huge smiles, from the 1st song to the last, my favourite “Fingers in Factories” the place was hopping just like the man with the Microphone who and has to be said has such a tremendous voice one that is so distinctive he sings with such passion that one can not fail to be amazed by his stage presence I also love the way there is no crap talked between songs just banging one track out after another although he did manage to get in “ well we didn’t win a Britt award, but ah well” then straight into another classic.

I hope to God some day they get the real recognition they deserve there is not many bands at the moment that even come close to sounding like these do live, The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon are some of the best Bands live over the last few years but hand on Heart none were as good as I seen last night which makes it all more madness, why oh why are they not selling out stadiums so I think it’s up to us the ordinary decent “Fans” to spread the Gospel according to Editors I look forward to their return the sooner the better as you know when you have been entertained, amazed, and Blown away

And like Mr Smith sang last night, every end has a start, we came on our own that’s how well leave with hope in our heart and air to breathe, your only across the water boys so don’t be long

Brian…

I’m not really very good at being a reviewer/critic but wanted to share my thoughts.

Can I say how much fun GA standing is!  Granted if you don’t get there early enough and you’re short, it’s not as fun, but when you’re that close the stage, and not restricted to sitting, fun fun fun!

I was almost at the front of the stage but a little off to the side. I was on Russell’s side of the stage...since I have an affinity for the bass, I like to be on that side of a stage at a concert. :) (Oh and I happened to notice, he uses the same brand of bass amp as Adam Clayton of U2, my all-time fave band ;) )

I wasn’t really familiar with Louis XIV, and I only like a couple Hot Hot Heat songs, but I came to see Editors so I’ll keep this space about them. :)

The energy was great!

My personal faves were “End Has a Start”, “Bones”, “Smokers” “Munich” really got the crowd going, or any time Tom went on top of the piano! The weight of the world was good on album, fantastic live!

I really hope this band takes off. I don’t have to explain why I would travel around to see U2, (I’d get begged to bring them) so hoping Editors can continue their fantastic work! Keep on keeping on!

I also ran into Tom, Russell, and Chris before the gig, that was a real treat! My sis and I were walking towards the venue, I saw a guy who looked like Russ, did a double take, and yeah, that is him, he was walking out of coffee shop in Downtown Disney, with Tom and Chris (Kinda like an outdoor mall type place).
I said to my sister, that’s the band, well except the drummer is missing. I wasn’t sure whether to approach them or not, but I did wave to them. My sis asked if I wanted to get a pic, she happened to have her cellphone with a camera so I walked back to where they were and asked if I could get a pic with them. They were very obliged to do that. Very nice fellas. Then when I was going to take the pic of my sister with them, I didn’t really know how to use her cellphone cam so I kinda made a dork out of myself. I said..."Oops, think I might be taking a video”, and they snickered at my fumbling with the camera, (I admit I am technologically challenged at times) but they were cool the whole time.

Tom did give me a smile and nod from the stage.
Russell too, I made eye contact with a few times, was totally in “fan-girl” mode. Very good showman, Tom.
Russell was in high energy too!

--Marlena Calderon

After trudging through the pouring rain, I had the privilege of seeing EDITORS perform at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon on February 11.  I can’t believe that this band is still playing such small venues, but I was lucky to catch them in such an intimate setting.  Seeing EDITORS live for the first time, I was blown away by their spectacular stage presence and musicianship; this is a band that you must see live in order to appreciate fully.  Tom was all over the stage (and the piano at some points), and his voice is so powerful live. 

The hour set included a good mix of songs from both albums: Munich, An End Has A Start, Blood, The Racing Rats, Bullets, All Sparks, etc.  The encore included the new single ‘Push Your head Towards The Air’ (Tom said it was their first time playing it live) with Tom on acoustic guitar and Russell on piano (beautiful), then You Are Fading, Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors, and Fingers In The Factories.

Even if you are only a casual fan, see EDITORS live - you will not regret it.  If I had the money, I’d fly to San Diego and Las Vegas to see their shows this coming week; they were that good. Thanks, guys, for a wonderful show, and please come back to Portland soon!!

-Lisa

Hi!

I just recently returned from seeing EDITORS play a free, invitation only, showing in Portland, OR and it was great!

KNRK 94.7 fm in Portland, Oregon held a private mini-concert for its listeners the EDITORS obliged by playing three songs from “An End Has A Start”. 94.7 has always played their music and debuted them on the international radio show, Passport Approved over 2 years ago. Anyway, like always it is a cold and rainy evening in P-Town in February, but that never stops the loyal listeners and music lovers from turning out to hear good music.

Tom and Chris treated the grateful Portland crowd to three songs from “An End Has A Start” However, in less than half of the three song set the string of Tom’s guitar snapped, giving the crowd a few more precious moments of being so close to the duo before the show later on this evening.

They seemed happy to be there because for the first time of seeing them live, Tom’s voice was just as strong and passion filled up close as it is when listening to them through headphones, car and home stereos, and far better than any computer!

Tonight’s show is at the Roseland Theater in Downtown Portland and I’m sure the band, along with the opening act Louis XIV, will please the crowd coming in from the nasty weather.

Dana Thompson

• July 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007

• Heineken Open’er Festival 04/07/08 - Danuta Tuchowska
• Frome 26/06/08 - Gary
• Le Bataclan Paris - Mary F
• Lisbon and Oporto - Teresa Domingues
• Clermont Ferrand - Samantha Chapman
• Barcelona - Adriana Romero
• Italy - Lisa Zac
• Ella at the NIA - Ella
• Darmstadt 21 March 2008 - Samantha Chapman
• Glasgow - Halina
• London 06/03/08 - Ros James
• Alexandra Palace - London - Samantha
• Manchester - Gary
• Doncaster - Gary
• Birmingham 29/02/08 - Gary