"You'd think a guitar is just a guitar..." - Tom after Bullets
Not all instruments are created equal.
Here's Editors' set from Lowlands way back in 2005, and I should warn you up front that this is no ordinary gig in terms of the high standards they've set over the years. Hopefully this will lessen the shock. It's a show with a certain amount of notoriety as it was played using another band's gear. It's the equivalent of being at school and turning up to gym class having forgotten your workout clothes, and then needing to raid the lost property box for something to wear. It's just not the same (and it usually smells weird).
There had been a SNAFU with a certain budget airline which resulted in Editors arriving in the Netherlands, but their instruments being "elsewhere". Consequently, the band had to borrow their equipment to make a slot at Lowlands 2005 even happen. As a result, and through using unfamiliar instruments, the show is a little stop-start as the band tune and re-tune their guitars (sometimes while they're actually playing). It veers from sounding a little sketchy to seriously off-key in places. During Bullets, for example, the tuning goes way, way out almost from the start, and even though Tom manages to seamlessly complete a change of guitar while he's playing Fingers, the sound is noticeably discordant. There must have been a huge amount of frustration, that will no doubt have become more acute the more the set progressed. If you want a taste of what it must have been like, fast forward the video to around 32 minutes and 50 seconds in. Now, imagine standing in front of that many people, who are that quiet, and screwing up. Scary. But then if you let it run for another 10 seconds Tom thanks the audience for sticking with them, and they all start applauding. Tension release.
For all the negatives there is a positive effect from the additional stresses and strains; Mr Smith really goes after the setlist in a way that playing from his comfort zone may not have allowed for. Lots of jumping around and twisting into some shapes that he'll surely be talking about with his chiropractor in years to come. There were probably times when the folks who loaned him their guitars were thinking to themselves "Steady on there, sir! Careful with our axes!". There's a certain thrill of watching a set that's so precariously placed on the edge of collapse. For a spectator it infuses the whole thing with danger, and from the band's demeanor and reactions it looked mutual. It's to be admired that they did the set at all, when they could have just as easily dropped out and gone home. Their excuse was pretty solid.
Oh, and watch out for another appearance from a man who was very busy that night, Editors' guitar-tech Braveheart who also had a tiny supporting role in the band's Levis One to Watch film. Enjoy the music, although it doesn't sound like it normally does... ;)
Video - stream it here
1. Someone Says - download here
2. Lights - download here
3. Bullets - download here
4. Fall - download here
5. Blood - download here
6. You Are Fading - download here
7. All Sparks - download here
8. LYGHLYH - download here
9. Munich - download here
10. Fingers - download here
11. Open Your Arms - download here
All videos in a zip - download here
1. Someone Says - download here
2. Lights - download here
3. Bullets - download here
4. Fall - download here
5. Blood - download here
6. You Are Fading - download here
7. All Sparks - download here
8. LYGHLYH - download here
9. Munich - download here
10. Fingers - download here
11. Open Your Arms - download here
All MP3s in a zip - download here
This was a two track acoustic set that was recorded at the time of Lowlands 2005, and it goes a hell of a lot smoother than the band's actual slot at that festival. Songs performed are Someone Says and Fingers in the Factories. Enjoy the music ;)
Video - stream here or download here
Audio - download here or download here
brought to you with lots and lots of lemming-love :) x
