Blast from the Past - Editors - Leeds Academy - Leeds - 23/11/2013

This is most notably down to the imperious and captivating front man – Tom Smith, whose  flamboyant and unpredictable stage presence coupled with his powering and dramatic voice, creates a visual and theatrical performance that keeps you captivated from the very start.

Equally spectacular at a festival or arenas, it was the opportunity for Leeds Academy on this occasion to host the Birmingham founded band and support act – British Sea Power.

And as stage presences go, there can be not many more who can rival Tom – who bordering on the completely off the scale bizarreness, British Sea Power gave the strangest yet completely memorable performances that I have ever seen.

Two giant bears, welcomed onto the stage and dance, parade and wander around throughout the set. Not knowing this was to happen, there was an initial puzzlement of if this, like me, many in the crowd perhaps was wondering quite what is happening in front of them… but these moments are what make gigs memorable and this was one of them.

And it is at this point that I wish to confirm, the theatrics on stage, albeit as utterly peculiar as they were, takes no credit away from the actual musical performance that the band gave on this night.

They were polished, they were captivating and gave a powerful performance, fitting of the venue and the band they preceded.

And that band was the Editors. In 2022, they have recently released album number 7 called EBM. But for this gig in 2013, it was the release of the “The Weight of your Love” that this tour was based upon.

From the outset, this album had a mystique and moodiness coursing through it. Powerful and anthemic choruses, speckled with a couple of sumptuous ballads – balancing the album out perfectly.

The transition of these songs from album, through to the stage was as spectacular as you would hope for. Good job really as 7 of the songs from this album made it on to the setlist for this gig.

Opening with two of said tracks, The Weight and Sugar, hammering base beats pounded the venue and forcefully set the tone and paved the way superbly for one of the most iconic Editors songs, “Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors” to make its appearance.

There wasn’t a let up in proceedings, it felt relentless and the band, who are all wonderfully talented just kept on going.

Tom was at his animated best. His voice and persona, lures you right in and your eyes cannot be drawn away from him. He is a true entertainer….. however not one that feels is an act… but one that seems like he is sucked into his own music and the moves and oddities he performs are an extension purely of the music.

The cocktail of old and new tracks continued, “The Racing Rats”, “Munich” and the mighty “An End has a start” entangled effortlessly between “Honesty”, “A Ton of Love” and “Honesty”

It did somehow manage to ramp up even further in the encore…. “Bricks and Mortar” followed by “Nothing” gave a stirring and commanding start and then came the finale…. “Papillon”

A concoction of electronic riffs, guitars and a pounding drum beat…….the song superbly adapted to include a crowd pleasing “clap-a-long”, joining in the continuous build up before the final elevation of noise, launching on to a platform of euphoria. It was a special moment.

It was a gig that had a bit of everything and felt like the band had given everything in return.

Editors are a band who continue to push the boundaries of their work, progressing with the times and exploring new sounds. Barely a resemblance exists between songs from their first album to their current one…. but is that not what bands are supposed to do?

I for one am hugely thankful that they continue to do just this and have opened me up to their creative journey. They do however remain one of the finest live performers around and following the release of their latest EBM, the journey is very much one that is set to continue for some time yet. And we are thankful for that.

LGR x