The Lilacs postpone UK tour due to band illness
27th March 2025The Lilacs have issued an official statement today that sees them postpone their UK headline tour due to guitarist Sam Birchall being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“It’s with sadness that I have to announce this news to you all. After a recent downturn in health and undergoing various tests I have been diagnosed with testicular cancer. After starting this band with Ollie all those years ago, and in fact naming the band after ‘The Lilac Centre’ since my mum sadly passed away with cancer, this all seems ironic and a huge shock to myself and us all. With this in mind, my personal health and well-being must come firs,t and I will be starting my ongoing treatment immediately.”
The Lilacs join fellow Wigan bands Lottery Winners and The Lathums in continuing to prove that the current north-west indie scene is blossoming. The Lilacs show that they have everything needed to be the region’s next great hopes as they share the new EP ‘The 395 (To Forever)’. The EP is their biggest project to date and their first release for the Manchester label Scruff of the Neck.
As demonstrated by the recent singles ‘You’re Not That Daft’, ‘Calling It A Night’ and ‘Where You’ve Been Hiding’, The Lilacs excel at capturing the vibe of what it means to be growing up in a small town: both the hope and hopes but also the bittersweet moments too. The band wraps these stories in songs rich with bright, boisterous melodies and soaring, anthemic hooks which are perfectly suited for fans to holler those hooks right back with life-affirming intensity at them during live shows. Ollie Angelsea’s lyrics capture the essence of young adult life, from big nights out to faltering relationships, through to those friendships that mean everything.
Ollie says, “Countless hours, late nights, and maybe even a few tears have gone into making this record. It’s our first proper release, a completely different experience from putting out standalone singles. While those tracks have helped shape our journey, this felt like the right time to take things to the next level. Without a doubt, this is our best work yet. Some may still prefer ‘Vicarage Road’ or ‘Grace’, but as a band, we truly believe we’ve stepped things up. As the main lyricist, I’ve had so much fun writing this record, and I think that it can be heard with mentions to Johnny Marr and Manchester’s legendary Indian takeaway, Kabana. This EP is just the beginning of what’s to come. THINK BIG. We can’t wait for you to hear it, and we’ll see you on the road for ‘The 395 (To Forever)’ TOUR!”
The EP’s title song is also its new focus track. Referencing the now defunct local bus route which ran from Wigan Centre to Skelmersdale, it charts the experience of running into someone shortly after being stood-up. Rather than expressing anger at the situation, it instead offers a second chance to put things right: “So get back on the dancefloor ‘cause we’ve got unfinished business… Tell the DJ in the corner to cue this song.”
‘The 395 (To Forever)’ is completed by a second new song in the shape of ‘One More For The Road’. Its blur of jangly indie-pop melody hones in on a character who will be familiar wherever you go – the kind of person who everyone just about tolerates rather than actually likes, and who might actually be nice if only they could modify their attention-seeking behaviour.
Produced by Joe Cross (Courteneers), ‘The 395 (To Forever)’ ultimately sees The Lilacs exceed the potential that they introduced with early fan favourites such as ‘Vicarage Road’ and ‘Sticky Dancefloors’. With a growing fanbase, both in terms of streams and shows, The Lilacs’ next stop on the 395 must surely be their long-awaited debut album.
Fans can help support the band’s ambition of making their first Official Charts impact by buying the EP HERE. It is available on CD, black vinyl, and striking navy blue and white splatter vinyl.
