The amount of material available this month was always going to be increased, as September was the month that Tom and Nic both took to the road. As I post this, they will be playing the last few shows on this run and all of them have sold out. Beyond that, there was a new date added in November on the 14th, where Tom will be appearing at Barezzi Festival in Parma. Fun to see that he'll be on the same bill as Spiritualized, as Jason remixed (obscured) Camera for Editors back in the day. It is still my firm belief that there will be more dates added elsewhere, because even with this late addition it would still mean the tour is over before the record even hits the stores. As joyful a burst as this has been, and they've packed a lot into just over 30 days, it still feels like the story is without a final chapter.
We do have an audio capture from this run of gigs courtesy of a new friend to the Archive called Michelle, who managed to tape Tom and Nic at the Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden on the 24th September. It's a chance to hear some of the new compositions and get used to them, before you eventually claim that they are the preferred versions once the studio recordings are made public. It's always the way with Editors.
The other major story that came out of this last month was that we lost GaryUK.
If you don't know who he was, then take a look around the Archive and you'll find evidence of him everywhere. All those live recordings that bear his name are not only great to listen to, but they also chronicle some pretty key events in Editors history. There was the gig at the Cheese and Grain in Frome 2008 where the band played an encore suggested by fans beforehand. As you'd expect if you left this kind of thing up to hardcore/weirdo Editors devotees, it's four obscure songs from the b-sides of their singles. I remember him personally lobbying for the song Colours to be included, and it was. There was also the Teenage Cancer Trust show from 2011. Go and have a look at the set list and check out the circumstances around that show, it'll give you a better sense of its elevated stature. In 2012 he travelled to Birmingham for Editors' first gigs with Justin and Elliott and on it goes. The list is long and impressive, and he's always been a part of the foundations that support the Archive. Shows that would have passed into history, only to exist in the memories of those lucky enough to have been present are now available to experience almost decades after the beats faded. Gary did that.
In Editors fandom, Gary was part of a community. First on the band's official website and then later on Hannah's forum. He brought people together because you knew that if he'd taped a show, it would sound great. There's a reliability in that which is a scarce commodity, and he was valued for what he contributed. Gary also came from that old school of music fans that actually felt passionately enough about what they listened to have a real opinion based upon it. If he wasn't keen on something he would let it be known, similarly if he liked it, you'd hear about it. That's an investment reduced in those who just listen to music as a distraction.
I had grown used to the idea that every time there was a tour, he'd be out there in the dark of the evening somewhere smuggling his recording equipment into a venue, picking a spot from which to tape and make sure everyone else got to hear what he'd heard. I'd receive the files shortly afterwards, with a cheerful email bemoaning all the audio mistakes he was convinced were contained within (they weren't!). It was a routine as sure as the sun coming up in the morning, and I was certain that the only thing which would stop all of this would be Editors calling it a day.
I was wrong.
This would be a reminder that permanence is an illusion built entirely upon hope, and it can be removed at any time. If you're lucky enough to have anyone in your life that you love, recognise and appreciate them. This might be your last chance.
Safe travels, Gary. Thank you for everything.
Editors Instagram - September 2025
For all of Editors' other Instagram posts, go here.
brought to you with lots and lots of lemming-love :) x
