As I write these notes, Tom is one day away from playing a sold out date at the Tollbooth in Stirling, Scotland. It's the beginning of a road trip that will take him away from home from just over a month, playing songs from his new album as well as other compositions from his time as a musician with Editors and possibly Smith & Burrows. A lot happened in August, let's recap.
On the 9th, Tom released footage from the rehearsal studio where the song Life is for Living was being played. What was most striking about the footage was that it showed Nic Willes playing guitar, which served to unofficially break the news that Tom wouldn't be touring alone.
Shortly afterwards, the aforementioned track
Life is For Living got its official debut and then there was the news about Tom's first full length recording beyond the boundaries of Editors. It will be called
There is Nothing in the Dark That Isn't There in the Light, and will land at the beginning of December. You can read all about that in a blog post here, which includes pre-sale links.
There were images shared of some new merchandise that will be there to buy at the shows, with Tom sporting a t-shirt with the album cover on it.
It's unclear as to whether these items will be for sale away from this actual tour, I'm sure there will be announcements if they are.
On the 22nd of August Tom treated everyone to a rendition of the Smith and Burrows song Old TV Shows, which was shared on his social media. A little while after that he allowed the world a partial glance at a brand new song which we haven't heard yet, called How Many Times. Pertaining to his impending foray across the motorways and byways of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales there were two last minute photographs which communicated some charming intentions. It seems that both he and Nic will be piling everything into a Land Rover Defender and doing things the old fashioned way.
If it's just going to be the two of them in transit, this could be a logistical tap-dance. Play the show and either hit the road immediately, or sleep and head out the next morning with the driving being alternated between them both. A potential complication is that, if the markings on the map Tom shared in a different snap are to be believed, some of the dates are a little "herky-jerky", geographically speaking. There's lots to consider and factor in if this is to be successful, and it may call for someone to parachute in (not literally, although if PIAS are footing the bill...) and help with the delivery of these two folks to their consecutive destinations.
There's an interesting comparison to be had here; this must be what it's like when Justin does his own travelling with Editors (or adjacent to Editors) whenever they're touring. All that planning and laying out a trail to follow to fulfil an engagement, possibly in a place you've never been to. Of course, aside from the obvious obstacles the most pertinent questions will be things like are there travel sweeties for the journey? Who chooses the driving soundtrack? Dare we brave the motorway service station toilets (don't do it!)? How good at eye-spy are you because we're going to find out and, the longer the journey goes on with all its accompanying disorientation, the more weird and potentially illegal the forfeits will be for the unsuccessful player.
I've discerned a strange kind of dual focus going on right now with regards to Editors and Tom. For months we've had a developing crescendo which has yet to peak for his solo record, delivered as a steady, gradual percolation of news and information. At the same time, there are regular flashes of Editors in rehearsal to indicate that there's activity in that arena too. The spotlight is split.
I know that There is Nothing in the Dark That Isn't There in the Light has been written and recorded for some time now, and it would be logical that Tom would want to get going on something new given that the best kinds of creativity rarely adhere to schedules. My concern is that There is Nothing... isn't being "given its flowers", in the same way that a new Editors album would be. Ironic, given Tom's position as primary songwriter in each case. "Tom's doing his solo thing but don't worry, there's another Editors album on the way". Then there's the timing of the tour. As I write, there are no further bookings (as yet) beyond the beginning of October, over a month before we even get to own the album. I still find its finality to be a little implausible for that reason.
As a long time fan of his work, and that of his band, this is an important event and I'm certain everyone including Tom feels the same. It's taken 20 years or more to get here. Perhaps unintentionally, it seems like attention is being divided when it should be singularly focused on celebrating this. Am I happy there's going to be another Editors record? Oh, hell yes! I just don't want to overlook or downplay what's right here, right now.
Editors Instagram - August 2025
For all of Editors' other Instagram posts, go here.
brought to you with lots and lots of lemming-love :) x
