Editors Light Up Manchester Crowd With Powerful Synth Infused Performance

Editors: Manchester Academy review

If there is one word to sum up the performance of a band which has long cemented its reputation as one of the UK’s best and most underrated rock bands over the last 18 years, it would be energy.

Not once during their nearly two-hour set did it look or sound like Editors would ever lose any of that verve, and they could have likely gone on for an additional 20-plus songs if they really wanted to.

It was a set that had everything a die-hard Editors fan would want, high-energy synth-rock ‘bangers’ (sorry everyone) alongside softer more emotional tracks that allowed the sold-out Manchester crowd to catch their breath.

Classic Editors songs such as Sugar, The Racing Rats and Munich were weaved in nicely along with songs off their latest album EBM, such as Heart Attack and Karma Climb. The former opening the show.

It is hard not to draw comparisons between Editors frontman Tom Smith and a majestic puppet master, his arms flailing both wildly and radiantly throughout the night. He had an intensity about him that is hard not to admire. That combined with the lively stage production meant that there was hardly a dull moment.

There was more of an electro-dance vibe with songs Kiss, Violence, No Harm and Strange Intimacy, at the end of the set before the encore. This was before the gig wrapped up perfectly with An End Has a Start, the aforementioned Munich and the wonderful Papillon.

The fact the last six songs came from six different albums highlights how well the band have evolved throughout their career.

Not every gig needs to have constant crowd interaction throughout, this was one of those occasions where the crowd and artist were one, each component understanding and completing their assignment.

The Editors are currently halfway through their seven-show tour across the UK and Ireland following their 2022 album EBM release.

Verdict: 4/5 rating

Setlist:

1. Heart Attack
2. Strawberry Lemonade
3. Bones
4. Karma Climb
5. Picturesque
6. The Boxer
7. Sugar
8. Bullets
9. Fingers in the Factories
10. Blood
11. Magazine
12. Nothing
13. Lights
14. Silence
15. Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors
16. The Racing Rats
17. Kiss
18. Violence
19. No Harm
20. Strange Intimacy
21. An End Has a Start
22. Munich
23. Papillon