Editors Tickets

Editors boast a longevity that they’ve maintained through constant evolution. Since their 2005 breakout with debut album, The Back Room, they’ve released seven studio albums, each with a distinct and impressive sonic identity — most recently, the experimental and invigorating EBM.

Even more impressive is their commitment to live touring; they’ve never slowed down, be it festival dates or headlining tours, and they’ve never disappointed either.

Vocalist and guitarist Tom Smith, bassist Russell Leetch, drummer Ed Lay and guitarist Chris Urbanowicz formed the Editors in 2002 while studying at the University of Staffordshire. They moved to Birmingham the following year, amongst heavy gigging and A&R interest in their early demos. In 2004, the band signed to indie label Kitchenware Records.

In 2005, Editors released their debut single, ‘Bullets’, which received airplay on BBC Radio 1. Their second single, ‘Munich’, charted in the UK, launching them into mainstream success and prompting a distribution deal with Sony BMG. In July 2005, Editors released their debut album, The Back Room. Its nervy post-punk reminiscent of Joy Division and Interpol made them one of the country’s most exciting indie breakthroughs, with the album peaking at No.2 in the UK charts and becoming nominated for the Mercury Prize. That year, they supported Franz Ferdinand on an arena tour through the UK and Europe, as well as completing their first headlining tour.

In 2006, Editors held more headlining tours, including the band’s first trip to the USA. They performed at several festivals that year, including Coachella, Lollapalooza and T in the Park. The band also made their first appearance on US television, performing ‘Munich’ on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

In 2007, Editors released their second album, An End Has a Start. It saw the band try out an arena-rock sound, to great effect; the album debuted at No.1 in the UK charts, while lead single ‘Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors’ became the band’s biggest hit. That year the band performed a highly-billed set at Glastonbury, as well as appearing at Reading & Leeds and Wireless festivals among others. They also headlined tours through the US, UK and Europe.

In early 2008, Editors completed an extensive US headline tour, followed by a huge UK headlining tour that included two nights at Alexandra Palace and an arena show in their hometown of Birmingham. They also received a BRIT nomination for British Group. That summer, they supported R.E.M on a European and UK tour, as well as appearing at Reading & Leeds Festivals.

In October of 2009, the band released their third album, In This Light and on This Evening, which featured a more electronic, synthesiser-heavy sound. It became their second album to debut at #1 on the UK Albums Chart. The band embarked on further headline tours through the rest of that year and into 2010. Summer 2010 saw more high-profile festival appearances, including another slot at Glastonbury, and in September they supported Muse on a stadium tour.

Guitarist Chris Urbanowicz left the band in 2012, and they subsequently added guitarist Justin Lockey and keys player Elliott Williams to the line-up. In 2013 came the fourth Editors album, The Weight of Your Love, on which they returned to an anthemic guitar-driven sound. They supported the album at numerous festivals that year, including triumphant returns to Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, plus a headlining tour through the UK and Europe.

Editors released their fifth album, In Dream, in October 2015. Their sound became darker and more experimental than ever on this album, earning comparisons to Depeche Mode and Radiohead. Further heavy touring ensued, including more headline and festival dates, and a support slot opening for Manic Street Preachers across UK arenas.

In 2022, Editors released their seventh album, EBM. An electronic and driving album with a fresh new energy, it entered the Top 10 in the UK Albums Charts. They embarked on a UK and Europe headlining tour through 2022. In 2023, they appeared at festivals including another return to Glastonbury.