The Marble Factory, 2nd February 2023
Hands up, I missed the boat when it came to Editors. Sure I knew “Munich” and “Papillon”, but with 90 million streams between them who didn’t.
This I believe would give me a great objective platform from which to view one of the most successful UK acts of the past 20 years.
I squeezed myself to the back of a utterly jammed Marble Factory amongst the crowd of 30 & 40 something’s. And with a great view of the stage buckled myself in for the show.
The two hours (yes TWO HOURS) that followed are something I have only ever experienced at major outdoor stadiums. The sound and lighting some of the best I have EVER experienced at a indoor gig. And the bands performance right up there with the best I have witnessed.
Aside from a “Hello Bristol” at the start there was little to no talking with the crowd. Just two pure hours of Tom Smith directing the cavorting mass like a possessed evangelical preacher. It was awe inspiring to watch.
The 20 song main set bookended by tracks from 2022s EBM. And the middle a rollercoaster of music as Editors took us on a soundscape journey of their twenty year career.
A band as complex as you can find with a sound touching on Dark pop, rock, angular rock, electro, synth and so much more. All conducted from the front by the mad scientist grin wearing Smith.
Sure Editors take influence from other bands (who doesn’t) but what they produce is so uniquely theirs.
As we travel in time from 2005s “The Back Room” to 2018s “Violence” i’m left both regretting what I have missed out on. And feeling myself fully converted to the church of The Editors.
We end, how could we not, with a outrageously strong three song encore of “An End Has A Start”, Munich” & “Papillon”
My only outstanding question, when can I see this band again?
📸 Porthjess
📝 The Bristol Nomad
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
