The Editors

I arrive at the beautifully grand Union Chapel, a fitting environment for Mencap’s annual Charity acoustic gigs, The Little Noise Sessions, just in time to see Bombay Bicycle Club. The series of gigs are hosted by the celebrity face for Mencap, Jo Wiley with support from the self confessed tipsy comedian, Matt Horne, both of whom have siblings with learning difficulties.

The Noise Sessions kicked off with a headline set from The Editors, with support from The Maccabees, Bombay Bicicyle Club and Everything is Everything.

Bombay Bicycle Club aptly set a dreamy atmosphere, with Jack Steadman’s youthful face smiling as he sings. In one memorable moment, all but Steadman leave the stage for an eerie cover of Loudon Wainright III’s 'Motel Blues Solo’. He may look little older than a fresh faced school child, but the maturity of sound and lyrical content show the essence of musical talent being honed here.

A short set from The Maccabees is enough to whet our appetite for what is to come. The set featured their single and crowd pleaser 'Toothpaste Kisses’ and a striking cover of from I Am Kloot’s 'Because.’

After an interlude from Matt Horne, who asks audience members to think of a swear word and shout it loud, just because it feels "terrifically naughty," The Editors emerge on stage. Tom Smith dives straight into his first track, his deep echoing voice a stark contrast to his nimble frame. In truth I’m sitting there thinking how such a big sound can emerge from this scrawny man. His vocals however, project through this intimate setting and by the end of the show he feels like a familiar friend, as I sit still on my third row hardened church seat and he sheepishly grins to us all.

Smith confesses he is 'kinda nervous about tonight' which is shown by a few false starts but the crowd forgivingly giggle at his mishaps only lighten the atmosphere. Guitarist, Chris 'Elvis’ Urbanowicz is left alone with Smith on piano, while they play new song 'No Sound But the Wind’ which features on the new Twilight vampire flick 'New Moon.’ Smith’s captivating voice resonates through the large venue while the audience sits still, as if in a trance brought on by the gentle piano and simple guitar riffs.

Without the addition of The Editors synth sounds, creeping onto their third album, their acoustic performance of 'Papillon’ is filled with raw emotion, his vocals emphasised as he sings "if there really was a God here, he’d have raised his hand by now." The range and versatility of Smiths vocals is also highlighted by the higher, fast paced song 'Eat Raw Meet = Blood Drool.’

The setting was somewhat ironic for the foursome, who’s latest LP 'In This Light And On This Evening’, features themes on religion. Tom Smith said last month 'People who use the canvas of religion to gain power - it's a very scary thing,"

As I left, Smiths plectrum in pocket like an excited teenage fan, (it landed ceremoniously beside me), I’m not sure if I’ll emerge out of a dream or if the fresh air will awake the tranquillity that clouded the atmosphere throughout the evening.