BEST OF 2007: Editors


Sophomore effort ‘An End Has A Start’ proved that the band were no one-time wonders, and further built upon the epic and atmospheric rock template they work so well. Drummer Ed Lay filled AU in as to just what 2007 had in store for them.

How was your 2007?
Plenty of touring this year, it seems like a decade ago since we released our album.

What were your highlights?
Playing Glastonbury was a huge event for us all. To play on a major stage, at a magical time of the evening, at the most famous festival in the world was inspiring. Going to number one with our record gave us confidence for our live shows, and recording the album in Ireland with Garret Lee was great fun.

What were your lowlights?
I have no complaints about Editors’ year whatsoever.

What was the weirdest thing that happened to you this year?
At Lowlands festival in Holland, I was roped into going onstage dressed as a monkey, and dancing for Basement Jaxx.

Did you achieve everything you set out to at the start of the year?
The only real aim was to improve as a band and produce a great record, and I feel that we have done both.

Did you make any new musical discoveries?
I made an exciting re-discovery - a band called The Boxer Rebellion, who have been hiding a little over the last couple of years, have finished writing some amazing new songs. We have been lucky enough to have them on our European tour.

What was your favourite album by another band or artist?
‘Boxer’ by the National. It is so rich, and sounds like so much love has been put into making it.

What was your favourite live moment (either your own or someone else’s)?
There have been so many exciting gigs of our own, especially over this past month in Europe - going to Warsaw for the first time and seeing all these kids run to the barrier when the doors opened was cool. My favorite live band this year have been the mighty Biffy Clyro.

What was the biggest musical disappointment?
Truck festival being cancelled due to England’s terrible rainy summer.

In ten years time how do you think you’ll view this year in your life?
The band, and everyone around us have worked exceptionally hard at establishing Editors in many different countries. Working on the album was fantastic, I learned a great deal from our producer and the rest of the band in the studio. It has been a hectic year, but a rewarding one.

Sum up your 2007 in seven words
Started slow, then accelerated and never stopped.

What are you hoping for in 2008?
To go to the places we have been this year, and try and impress the people even more.

Additional Reading:
+Discuss this article in the forum
+Read AUs verdict of ‘An End Has A Start’ here
+Read the feature from issue 37 right here

Issue #50 - The Power To Know

Featuring The Top 50 NI Songs of Our Lifetime, The Streets, Deerhoof, Seasick Steve, Fucked Up, Garth Ennis and more.