"Traditionally we have a lot of men...people...men that like our band, this is for ladies." - Tom prior to WOTW
Rewriting history is not always a bad thing...
If you're an Editors fan, you are familiar with the concept of waiting. Who could forget the ticking clock on the band's official website that signified the end of the An End Has a Start era of the band, that had us all so enraptured and infuriated in equal measure? Or that brief stall between ITLAOTE and The Weight of Your Love?
Waiting? Yeah, we know all about that, thanks.
I reference it as a concept because it is so applicable to this situation, it hurts. For the past 13 years we've had a highlights broadcast of Editors at Lowlands to satisfy and abate the regret of those of us who couldn't attend in person. Sure, we had a full set in MP3 form but there really is nothing like actually being able to watch this band doing the equivalent of hitting the nitrus and take things into a different gear when they play. For the longest time it was all but certain that this would be our Editors fan normality.
In 2020, one of the many, many casualties of the plague-game that everybody is taking part in (regardless of whether you wanted to or not), has been music festivals being cancelled. In some cases, broadcasters have taken to offering up memories of events past by offering fans a chance to revisit some shows that have already taken place. It is as a result of that policy of sharing, pretty much 13 years later to the day, that we finally have Editors' full and complete Lowlands set from 2007. It was captured by Hannah, who has consistently been one of the biggest contributors to the Archive across the years, as well as running the band's forum online. Thanks again, H. Where I was not, you were ;)
Editors and Lowlands have grown to be a great match up. In terms of entertainment and a connection between audience and performer it's always a done-deal. The set is paced very up-tempo, with the only truly slow moment coming with the mighty Weight of the World, which serves to remind you of its status as a total festival anthem. There's a one word lyric change in Racing Rats concerning who the dust settles around, and some guitar gremlins which cause problems for the late Chris Ridge during You Are Fading. Lowlands 2007 also that beautifully ambient, uplifting extended introduction for When Anger Shows with Chris' guitar looping over Ed's drums and Tom's piano. I know I enthuse about this in other videos where it happens, but my when eyes are shut and the volume is loud, it honestly feels like the musical equivalent experience of riding thermals on a hang-glider.
There's some light-hearted spots in among all the gloomy tunes too, such as Tom demonstrating why he wasn't chosen to throw the javelin during school sports day very often. After Bullets has finished he launches his guitar pick across the crowd towards the back of the room. It's a hefty underhand throw and seems to have a lot of power behind it. However, all the years of being sad and downhearted have clearly atrophied his arm muscles because the plectrum never makes it any further than about 13 centimeters to the pit directly in front of the stage. There's a instance of synchronicity straight afterwards, however, as he dedicates The Weight of the World to "ladies" just as a young lady in the front row is handed the non-traveling projectile from a security guard. The universe has a sense of humour.
Also, check out Tom dissing a certain budget airline for the awkwardness that was Editors at Lowlands 2005 (available to check out here in full with its horrible back story). He never forgets. Enjoy the music ;)
MP3s
Bones - download here
All Sparks - download here
An End Has A Start - download here
Blood - download here
The Racing Rats - download here
When Anger Shows - download here
Lights - download here
Bullets - download here
The Weight Of The World - download here
You Are Fading - download here
Munich - download here
Smokers - download here
Fingers - download here
All MP3s in a zip - download here
Bonus Materials - Jimmy Alter Interview with Russell and Ed
As a random interjection, I have to say that Russell is wearing an excellent shirt. This may be some latent fashion-envy on my part, but hot damn that's a quality garment.
Do you ever find yourself wishing you could get a closer look at Mr's Lay's stubble? His foot? Maybe you're the kind of person who has always wanted to cast a furtive glance into his left ear? Thanks to the seizure-inducing camera work of King Leetch, now's your chance good people.
stream it here
stream it here
brought to you with lots and lots of lemming-love :) x
