Tom Smith takes his seat at Stockton on the Forest Village Hall. Picture: Carl Letman
A RARE chance to see a bona-fide star up close. Tom Smith is a lynchpin of Editors, a band who rose stealthily and swiftly in the Noughties and have endured, despite personnel changes and a blander direction.
It was no surprise that the village hall was full to bursting; more startling to this neutral was the warmth and volume of the welcome. Smith and his Editors accomplice Nick Willes (keyboards and guitars) got the full red-carpet treatment.
The 20-strong, 75-minute set was both a showcase for his new solo album There Is Nothing In The Dark That Isn’t There In The Light (to be released December 5) and acoustic renditions of Editors’ favourites.
Without the splenetic, U2-esque guitars or synths, older tunes sat on an equal footing with the brand new ones. Smith wisely drew most from the first two albums, including Munich, Blood and the standout Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors, the encore.
Tom Smith on stage with Editors’ accomplice Nick Willes at Stockton on the Forest Village Hall. Picture: Carl Letman
The crowd was lively and ready to enjoy themselves. In truth they probably gave Smith an easy ride, since some of his new solo songs were unremarkable.
With only two on stage, the focus was firmly on Smith and his great voice. His powerful baritone was wonderful, lifting anything it touched.
He has a distinctive way of leaning in, tucking his neck down into his left shoulder as he plays. To see him leaning into the words too, treating them tenderly and not over-singing was a treat.
Tom Smith: “Distinctive way of leaning in, tucking his neck down into his left shoulder as he plays“. Picture: Carl Letman
Smith might have been dressed like everyman, but he was anything but. Not for him much in the way of banter or small talk – the room was his anyway – rather an evening where the songs did the heavy lifting.
Nor did Smith have anything new to say on matters of the heart (although you could argue who does). His place-based songs, Northern Line and Lights Of New York City, were better, and could (almost) have been written by Tom Waits.
Recast for the moment as a big-voiced crooner, the crowd lapped it up. The Weight Of The World was enhanced by the sound of Friday night beer cans opening in unison – drawing a wry Smith smile. Endings Are Breaking My Heart was memorable, and as we scattered into Storm Amy after the standing ovation, we felt the same, only in a good way.
Review by Paul Rhodes
Tom Smith was presented by Off The Beaten Track and The Crescent, York, at Stockton on the Forest Village Hall.