Editors w/ The Kissaway Trail – Cambridge Corn Exchange, 12/10/07

12 October 2007, 09:25 | Written by Rich Thane

(Live)

Support bands very rarely overshadow the headlining act. Especially at a sell out, and especially when it’s such an acclaimed live act as Editors are. It happened tonight though, big time. Ra Ra Riot were a ball of energy from the off. Bounding around the stage with all the exuberance of an 8 week old puppy, it was impossible not to be won over by them. They had tunes as well, which helps. The generic two guitars, bass, drums and vocals were fleshed out with violin and cello adding a folky element to their effervescent pop. Definitely a band to keep your eye on.

I’ve championed the Kissaway Trail since this site launched back in February, but tonight was the first chance I’ve had to check them out live. I’d been told that they deliver, and their performance at the Camden Crawl a few months back had journalists foaming at the mouth with glee. I can see why. It’s hard to put into words how good these guys actually are. Their youthful, wide eyed take on the world shines through every second of their 30 minute set. Even the weaker moments on the album were lifted in a live setting. There is absolutely zero pretension with them, they just get up and have a great time. The audience seemed to be won over too, with a little mosh pit forming down the front. The only disappointment was that they didn’t play album opener ‘Forever Turned Out To Be Too Long’. There’s always next time though, they are doing a headlining tour in November – check them out, you won’t regret it. This is a band that deserves more recognition; hopefully this tour with Editors will bring it to them in spades.

I’ve always been a little non plussed about Editors. I don’t dislike them by any means, but at the same time, I never actually feel like I want to listen to them. Which is a bit of a shitter considering I’m at an Editors gig. All the same, I was fairly looking forward to their set. Everyone I’ve spoken to who’s witnessed them has said that they’re a colossal live act. Maybe they had a night off tonight then. Four songs in and I’m clock watching. The standard Editors formulae already wearing thin; Ian Curtis apeing – check, predictable chord changes and riffs straight outta Interpol’s pocket – check, songs about death and loss – check. The crowd didn’t seem overly fussed either, apart from the standard mosh pit going nuts everyone else was just dour faced, arms folded. Me? I went to the bar. Not before I took these pictures though, enjoy.

Ra Ra Riot