Editors treated their NYC audience to a show of spectacle and substance. Oft incorrectly referred to as the UK’s answer to Interpol, if tonight’s show is any indication of what Editors are capable of, they will certainly be giving the hometown heroes a run for their money on the world’s stage.

I, personally, don’t see many apt comparisons to Interpol, other than both bands are quartets and Tom does sound very Paul Banks-like on their song “Colours.” Each band stands on their own merits but I guess we as humans always need points of reference to feel safe, so I can understand the need to make a connection. Incidentally, I will be lopping off a pinkie after I finish typing this review as a way to punish myself for bringing up Interpol in an Editors review. Hypocrisy must be dealt with quickly and severely… or “severe ly” in this case.

Last year’s Editors NYC show suffered from the same first-half-grand/second-half-bland issue that afflicted their first album, The Back Room. What a difference a year makes. The hits kept coming… From the first exciting downbeats of “Smokers Outside The Hospital Room”, you knew you were about to see something awesome. With their latest release, An End Has A Start, the band now has an entire show of hits and they seemed to realize it. Title track “An End Has A Start,” “The Weight Of The World” and “Sparks” were all brilliant.

With such a heartfelt lyrical underbelly, it would be none to easy for Editors to fall into being too precious for their own good (and ours too). I was also a bit concerned by the large electric piano center stage… Chris Martin anyone? Luckily, singer Tom Smith cleverly sidesteps any sappy mush with his genuine bouncy stage presence, complete with a smile and a quick and peppy Elton-John-come-Pee-Wee-Herman-inspired dance atop the piano. (Hey Paul B., can you dig it? Yes, I said smile… Woops there goes the other pinkie). The band seemed to be having the time of their lives and the crowd bought the vibe by the truckload.

It was one of those shows where all the celestial bodies line up and erase the human tension, diluting fear, anxiety and paranoia. Reversing the loss of direction through music is a beautiful thing. Even the not-so- important VIP’ers were transfixed, gaze stage-ward. More shows like this please. – text and photos by CD

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