LimeWire Music Blog

It’s not always an easy ride when bands try to break it Stateside, especially when you are one of the biggest-selling bands in the UK. I am talking about the Editors, who have released two platinum albums, been nominated for Best British Band, headlined the biggest festivals and consistently sold-out venues across Europe. You could say they are Britain’s indie darlings. So, it’s understandable how a band with such an impressive resume can go slightly unheard of amongst the great mass of North America. Last night, however, Editors proved how easy it was with a little English charm.

With the release of third album, In This Light and on This Evening, it was perfect timing to bring their dark indie rock to North America and Canada. Opening with the album title track on a stage just as dark as their music, we were able to hear the rawer sound and new direction the band have explored. Songs like “Eat Raw Meat – Blood Drool,” “The Boxer” and new single “You Don’t Know Love” definitely showed a more experimental route for the Editors. With heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines, the electronic sound was a recurring theme throughout. I couldn’t help but hear a modern day Depeche Mode sound which made a lot of sense when I discovered that the new album was produced by Mike “Flood” Ellis who has collaborated with bands like U2, The Killers, and of course, Depeche Mode.

With a selection of new and old, the whole set was full of their best songs to prove why Editors are loved worldwide. “An End Has A Start,” “Blood,” “The Racing Rats” and “Bullets” were performed just as intensely as when they first arrived on the music scene back in 2005. Tom Smith took center stage while vigorously moving from piano to guitar to synths throughout the whole performance while hypnotizing us with his deep, rich, baritone vocals. Guitarist Chris Urbanowicz and bassist Russell Leetch kept to their dark corners of the stage while occasionally assisting with the drum machine and synths while  drummer Edward Lay held the energy with their stomping beats.

While the crowd remained intoxicated, the encore provided the perfect antidote with “Munich,” “Papillon” and “Fingers In The Factories” that proved the Editors had finally made it Stateside.

Set list

In the Light and on this Evening
Lights
An End Has A Start
You Don’t Know Love
Bones
The Boxer
The Big Exit
Blood
Eat Raw Meat – Blood Drool
The Racing Rats
Walk The Fleet Road
Like Treasure
Bullets
Smokers
Bricks & Mortar
Papillon
Munich
Fingers In The Factories

images by Lauren Keogh