When I first posted this 4 years ago, I made a point of saying that I felt Editors weren't being utilised as an attraction in the most effective way at Rock en Seine 2016. I confess that it was a little negative, and I always try to stay on the right side of positive when I put these thoughts out into the world. Here's the running order from the day, just to illustrate my point:-
This all came from my own glaring personal bias; the intent to get Editors' music out to as many people as possible under any circumstances, and I felt that burying them so early in the schedule actively reduced that possibility. But then, an alternative scenario is the band not playing this show at all, in which case the probability of reaching the hearts of those who never even knew they needed Editors in their lives is zero. Far better to be present on the day and give everything to those people that chose to stand in front of you. That guerrilla touring attitude of taking up the challenge of playing to anybody, anywhere and wrecking their preconceptions/unfamiliarity with your music. That's rock and roll, and it's something that Editors still do now even though they have long outgrown the circuit-slog of their early days where any gig is appropriate, even if it's just for experience.
The set is tilted in favour of the more modern era of the band, with five of the songs chosen being recorded from that time frame. I've stated it once or twice before, but I think there will come a time when older compositions like Munich and Smokers aren't featured during their bigger shows. I think they possess just the right amount of self-belief and focus to do it, I just think the time hasn't felt right.
Yet.
It's totally fine that it should be that way, because I think they'll write songs in the future which will present an undeniable case for inclusion over others. That's exciting.
When it was played at Rock en Seine, The Pulse hadn't even been recorded yet and it went on to be a "problem song"; a track that they were never totally able to fashion into one conclusive end result. That's why there are more than one officially released versions, and several others that we never even considered (Damn you, Mr Williams and your Instagram teasing!). Even in daylight, it's a spine shaker.
Some fun things to look out for during this show:-
Enjoy the music ;)
The set is tilted in favour of the more modern era of the band, with five of the songs chosen being recorded from that time frame. I've stated it once or twice before, but I think there will come a time when older compositions like Munich and Smokers aren't featured during their bigger shows. I think they possess just the right amount of self-belief and focus to do it, I just think the time hasn't felt right.
Yet.
It's totally fine that it should be that way, because I think they'll write songs in the future which will present an undeniable case for inclusion over others. That's exciting.
When it was played at Rock en Seine, The Pulse hadn't even been recorded yet and it went on to be a "problem song"; a track that they were never totally able to fashion into one conclusive end result. That's why there are more than one officially released versions, and several others that we never even considered (Damn you, Mr Williams and your Instagram teasing!). Even in daylight, it's a spine shaker.
Some fun things to look out for during this show:-
- Justin using his guitar as a neck brace
- Scary intro music
- Russell using his bass guitar to smack a cymbal during Marching Orders
- The fans (onstage) and the fans (offstage)
- Tom's touring boots (they are missed)
- Unintentional synth fart at the beginning of Ocean of Night
- You can't see it properly during Smokers, but Tom getting affectionate with the crew
Enjoy the music ;)
Video - stream it here
MP3s
1. Intro and Sugar - download here
2. Smokers - download here
3. Racing Rats - download here
4. Forgiveness - download here
5. Munich - download here
6. The Pulse - download here
7. Ocean of Night - download here
8. Papillon - download here
9. Marching Orders - download here
brought to you with lots and lots of lemming-love :) x
