Friday, February 26, 2010
By Ari Hamilton
Entertainment Editor
It’s a rare occasion that less-well-known bands from other nations make tour stops for fans in the United States.
Such is the case with the Editors, a four-piece dark blend of alternative and indie rock, who played at the Wiltern Theater on Feb. 11 after the release of their most recent album “In This Light and On This Evening.”
Indie-pop trio the Antlers opened for the band. Antler, whose new album “Hospice” is available now, were a surprisingly engrossing and intelligent precursor to the night’s main event. Even so, the relatively unknown band generally failed to provoke a wildly enthusiastic response from the audience, which was eagerly awaiting the appearance of the Editors on stage.
To begin the concert, Editors’ lead singer and pianist, Tom Smith, played the organ line from the title track of “In This Light” beneath a single light on stage. As his fellow band members joined in with their own instruments, the energy in the theater, both on stage and in the crowd, grew exponentially.
Continuing through the album, the band played favorites such as “Bricks and Mortar,” a synthpiece dominated by Smith’s resounding vocals, and “Papillon,” a far-more upbeat track consisting of clashing synth-lines, eloquent lyrics and complex melodies.
The band followed up this initial performance of their more recent, dark indie-rock with a number of classic hits off their first two albums. “Blood” and “The End has a Start,” from their debut, led the crowd to focus on guitarist Chris Urbanowicz as he strummed the higher, distorted guitar riffs which were a standard of the Editors’ earlier works.
Other older works the band performed included the melancholy, introspective tracks “Smokers Outside a Hospital Door” and “Munich.” Performing these songs helped alter the mood and pace of the concert.
The Editors’ performed “In This Light” brilliantly in a live setting. Smith and Urbanowicz ensnared the audience with an array of synthesizer and keyboard lines, which provided a more seamless harmony for Smith’s deep vocals than the wailing guitar of the band’s earlier music.
Solid bass riffs from Russell Leetch, the artful drumming of Edward Lay and the occasional rhythm guitar parts by Smith made each song a unique and memorable experience.
The concert was extraordinarily influenced by its location, the Wiltern Theatre. The high, arched ceiling and decorated columns supporting the walls of the concert hall added another dimension to the melancholy hues and dark tones in the Editors’ music.
A well-executed lighting display, replete with flashes of color, was paired rhythmically with the songs and provided for greater visual engagement.
The Editors’ unique sound and energetic stage presence made for a truly memorable concert experience. The show left fans both old and new wondering what the band would compose next and hoping they would soon return to play for them once more.
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