Well this was a very welcome surprise…

I’ve been badgering the Editors’ management for three months now trying to get a photopass confirmed, and it’s finally paid off — I got word at lunchtime that I had a pass waiting for me at the Ironworks for their gig that evening. Rock-climbing can wait…

But all was not plain sailing. I was given the pass to shoot only the main act, and not the support acts. Normally, this isn’t ideal, for various reasons (and it makes for a nice photo-tip for beginners too): The support is an ideal time to get the camera dialled in to the correct settings so there’s less faffing about when it’s important to get the shots right, and it can also lead to getting some good shots of a band on their way to stardom. Where are newspapers and magazines going to get photos of the hottest new bands? From you, that’s who.

Of the two, The Strange Death of Liberal England would be the better of the two bands, but the songs didn’t exactly leave me feeling like I just had to go out and buy their CD. They’re lacking something, and unfortunately I can’t put my finger on what exactly. What they do they do well, but I think they need to start sounding less like other bands and try to develop an identity of their own.

On the other hand, Cold Cave were quite frankly awful. Given the choice of shooting them again, I’d jump at the chance — but I’d be using a Smith and Wesson rather than a Sony A700. In the past, I’d always thought that whenever there were lots of people enjoying something I hated I was the one in the wrong; this time, I know there’s something seriously wrong with the locals…

Anyhow, on to the Editors. They were fantastic, put simply. Although their newer songs are lacking a bit of punch compared to what’s on The Back Room, they went down very well when played live. In addition, the band (and Tom Smith in particular) are very expressive and are a joy to shoot. They’re not usually on the tip of my tongue when listing bands I like, but I’d very much like to see them live again sometime soon.

As usual, more on Flickr!